The Paradox of Power

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY NOV 1, 2002

That the last shall be first is just one of the paradoxical teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, "the greatest leadership model of all time" and the inspiration behind Williams's readable but somewhat shallow management primer (and 20-somethingth book). In addition to Gospel stories, the author invokes wave-particle duality and an eclectic array of thinkers from Patton to Baudrillard to illuminate the qualities and the contradictions of leadership. But paradoxes like "A Wise Leader Dares to Be a Fool" and "To Live, You Must Die" are just mystical window-dressing for familiar rules of managerial good behavior, including "when you're wrong, admit it," "keep your cool," and "do not micromanage." What counts are the anecdotes-the heart and soul of leadership manuals-and Williams's are engaging, if sometimes off base. An NBA executive and author, most recently, of How to Be Like Mike (as in Jordan), Williams adroitly mines the sports world's mother lode of leadership anecdotes; but his historical anecdotes-Robert E. Lee, instigator of some of history's bloodiest battles, exemplified "absolute love," while Auschwitz commandant Rudolph Hoess's failing was his lack of "integrity"-will confound many. Still, the numerous small homilies on humility, empathy and listening skills sprinkled into his smooth story-telling will give business managers much to reflect upon.