Leadership Intelligence - by Wanda S Maulding Green & Edward E Leonard (Paperback)

About the Book

Much like Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Maulding-Green and Leonard have, in Leadership Intelligence: The Journey to Your True North, postulated a theory regarding the age old question, 'are leaders born or are leaders made?' This theory is predicated on the idea that there...

Book Synopsis

Much like Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Maulding-Green and Leonard have, in Leadership Intelligence: The Journey to Your True North, postulated a theory regarding the age old question, 'are leaders born or are leaders made?' This theory is predicated on the idea that there is a genetic predisposition toward leadership via the vehicle of imprinting.

The five critical factors which undergird the tenets of Leadership Intelligence, are delineated and developed through the lens of the soft skills of a leader. There is further clarification as to why some leaders seem to have 'a greater intensity' of these factors than their peers.

To aid the reader in relating to the theory, a conceptual model based on a GPS is threaded throughout each chapter interweaving both examples and understandable content. The model relates keeping the organization moving in a true north fashion. The final chapters reveal how a leader can develop or enhance these skills and how he/she can avoid leadership derailment, due to neglecting them.

Review Quotes

At a time when the country seems to be crying out for leaders in every sector of our society, Leadership Intelligence: Navigating to Your True North, is a welcomed addition to the conversation on the preparation of leaders. This book is an excellent tool for leaders who are looking to take their organizations to the next level, by leading through trust and respect.

For years I have wondered what to call the 'people skills' that I feel have helped me experience some degree of success as an educational leader. In Leadership Intelligence, the introduction alone was revealing. Regardless of the level of experience possessed by a leader, this book provides tools that identify leadership intelligence as well as model for shaping a future vision. It is not often that I have been able to describe a leadership book as a page-turner...Leadership Intelligence is just that!

Green and Leonard build a compelling case that the least obvious aspects of leadership are the most essential and impactful in elevating (or mobilizing) schools and organizations to greater levels of success.

Green and Leonard have combined their years of experience and expertise to provide a new and cutting edge perspective on the study of leadership. Probing the critical factors that support leadership intelligence, the authors share insights on "navigating to your true north," and in doing so identify the skills required for leaders in the 21st century. Endorsing this book for its significant contribution to innovative and contemporary thought on leadership practice is a pleasure.

If there is anything that we as a nation need at this point in our growth it is inspiring, competent and credible leadership. It's how to become that type of leader that is seemingly elusive . . . until now.

Leadership Intelligence moves beyond the normal qualities and attributes necessary to lead and focuses on those important aspects, or intelligences of leadership that must kick in when challenge and change are imminent. Real leadership is defined in these kinds of circumstances and this book captures the essence of what it takes to persevere and succeed.

The preparation of educational leaders in the last decade has produced better stewards of data but not necessarily leaders who thrive, gain insights, and develop the necessary skills to navigate the shifting landscape of today's schools. This book provides a refreshing look at the dispositions necessary for navigating the ever-changing environment of school leadership. The book makes a convincing case that true skill in leadership emanates from the ability to understand and demonstrate ethics, honesty, responsibility, integrity, and being sincere in interactions with others. I highly recommend that every educational leader and those thinking about leadership read this book.

About the Author

Wanda Maulding Green is currently a leadership faculty member at the University of South Alabama. She has served leadership roles as a classroom teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal in K-12 schools and also as a department chair, associate dean and dean at the university level.

Edward Leonard is a retired school superintendent. He has done extensive adjunct work in educational leadership for the University of Southern Mississippi, Southeastern Louisiana University, and currently serves as an adjunct instructor of educational leadership for the University of South Alabama.