Walk the Walk: The #1 Rule for Real Leaders

by Alan Deutschman

Overview

"One of the best leadership books of the year."
-strategy+business

Leadership is the art of transforming how people think, feel, and act. Though some experts make it seem complicated, it really has only two elements: what you say and what you do. And according to Alan Deutschman, most leaders focus too much on words and not nearly enough on setting an example.

Deutschman profiles a wide range of leaders (in business, education, the military, and nonprofits) who always walked the walk, especially when times got tough. In a skeptical world, that gave them more credibility than even the best possible speeches.

Deutschman also shows the devastating consequences of not walking the walk, even on seemingly minor matters. Consider how the CEOs of GM and Chrysler hurt their chances of a government bailout by flying their private jets to Washington.

The eye-opening examples in Walk the Walk will inspire leaders at all levels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101136331
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/03/2009
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	378 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Alan Deutschman has written for many publications including Fortune, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Fast Company during his extensive journalism career. He teaches business journalism, magazine writing, and multimedia reporting at the University of Nevada’s The Reynolds School and is the author of many nonfictions works including The Second Coming of Steve Jobs, A Tale of Two Valleys, and How Steve Jobs Changed the World.

What People are Saying About This

Carla ODell

"With riveting stories of leaders from every sector, Walk the Walk serves as a reminder that business, at its best, is a moral enterprise. This book will give support to leaders who want to do the right thing and do well in the process."--(Carla O'Dell, president, APQC, and coauthor of If We Only Knew What We Know)

Wendy Kopp

"Walk the Walk is an inspiring, centering read. It grounds us all in the most important elements of leadership and challenges us to fulfill our potential in enlisting the commitment and energy of others."--(Wendy Kopp, CEO and founder, Teach for America)

Geoff Colvin

"Leaders and aspiring leaders should thank Alan Deutschman for this powerful message. Your words alone mean nothing. Your actions-and only your actions-speak. All successful leaders understand it, while failed leaders don't."--(Geoff Colvin, author of Talent Is Overrated)

Urban Meyer

"A great read. Walk the Walk should be required reading for anyone who aspires to lead. Its message is simple: If you want to be a leader, you have to understand the impact of your actions. This book will force leaders to look in the mirror and decide that they need to walk the walk."--(Urban Meyer, head football coach, University of Florida)

Mimi Silbert

"I always say that 'change' is a verb. It has to happen in action. You have to do it. That's the terrific lesson of Walk the Walk. This inspiring book looks at real leaders who've made themselves part of the change-and the extraordinary results they've achieved."--(Mimi Silbert, CEO, Delancey Street Foundation)

Editorial Reviews

"Leaders and aspiring leaders should thank Alan Deutschman for this powerful message. Your words alone mean nothing. Your actions-and only your actions- speak. All successful leaders understand it, while failed leaders don't."
-Geoff Colvin, author of Talent Is Overrated

"Walk the Walk is an inspiring, centering read. It grounds us all in the most important elements of leadership and challenges us to fulfill our potential in enlisting the commitment and energy of others."
-Wendy Kopp, CEO and founder, Teach for America

"I always say that 'change' is a verb. It has to happen in action. You have to do it. That's the terrific lesson of Walk the Walk. This inspiring book looks at real leaders who've made themselves part of the change-and the extraordinary results they've achieved."
-Mimi Silbert, CEO, Delancey Street Foundation

"A great read. Walk the Walk should be required reading for anyone who aspires to lead. Its message is simple: If you want to be a leader, you have to understand the impact of your actions. This book will force leaders to look in the mirror and decide that they need to walk the walk."
-Urban Meyer, head football coach, University of Florida

"With riveting stories of leaders from every sector, Walk the Walk serves as a reminder that business, at its best, is a moral enterprise. This book will give support to leaders who want to do the right thing and do well in the process."
-Carla O'Dell, president, APQC, and coauthor of If We Only Knew What We Know

From the Publisher