Book Review
Leading From The Front: No Excuse Leadership Tactics For Women
by Jane Wardhana

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Leading From The Front: No Excuse Leadership Tactics For Women Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch. 224 Pages. 2006.

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The book ‘Leading from the front: No excuse leadership tactics for women’ was written by two strong women Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch, who were privileged to be few women who hold leadership position in the prestigious Marine Corps. Both authors felt that the leadership training they learned during military life greatly helped them when they entered civilian life; thus setting the objective of this book as teaching people leadership skills that they learned in the marines.

The authors presented a new definition of leadership: A leader is not someone who holds the office of certain managerial position, but a leader is someone who can inspire and influence others. Because leadership skills eventually boil down to behavior, it follows that leadership skills are not innate but learnable. Even though this book focuses on women, the principles are worthy enough to be applied for men and women equally.

The book offers 10 simple leadership principles in an easy-to-read manner, instead of overwhelming leadership theories. The examples are also practical and the content is very appropriate for group discussion.

Some of the principles are very relevant yet simple, such as ‘Making timely decisions’. The author will start each chapter with why the principles are important. For example, making timely decisions are hard for some women, and the authors suggested to find the ‘80% solution’, because most of the time people already know 80% of the information that will be enough to make the right decision. The book then went on to explain what happens when the principles were not applied. In the example of ‘making timely decisions’ principle, the act of indecisiveness usually wastes energy and slows down progress, also allowing small problems to become larger ones.

Yet, some other principles are useful but non-obvious and more difficult to practice, such as ‘When faced with a crisis, aviate, navigate, communicate’, or the concept of ‘Courage + initiative + Perseverance + integrity = Success’. Those principles are more subtle and need to be applied consistently over a period of time before we reap the results. Another principle ‘ Think before you act – especially before you overreact’ might sound cliché, but the authors challenged us to really apply this principle by sharing some practical tips when faced with certain situations.

Leading from the front also explores some principles that echo Christian principles of servant-based leadership. Mark 10:42-25 said “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Both authors Angie and Courtney also emphasize the importance of leading by example, taking care of those we lead by anticipating their needs, and seek to take responsibility before placing blame on others. Those principles are greatly synchronized with bible principles. By being selfless and recognizing those around us, a stronger team environment can grow.

Another principle that is interesting is ‘Always lead as you are’. Some of us may think that we need to behave a certain way once we hold a certain position, or some may try really hard to be likeable or to ‘fit in’. However, the authors elaborated that people can see through our action if we are not true to ourselves. Pretending and changing our personalities can prove counterproductive to what we are trying to achieve. The bible says that each person is created unique by God, for His specific purpose. Leadership skills and behaviors can be changed and improved, but we cannot change our personalities as God created us to be.

This book is especially relevant to most people, including Indonesian Christians, who are sometimes reluctant to take leadership responsibilities because of fear in what it involves, and prefers to take the back seat instead. The book will serve as a great reminder that people always lead wherever they are, at work, school or at home. Some behaviors elaborated in the book’s 10 principles can greatly influence and inspire others, while some other behaviors, such as indecision or irresponsibility, can be detrimental to relationship and slow down progress.

This is an ideal book for all who wished to improve their leadership skills without reading much boring theory. Angie and Courtney also provide a 10-week challenge to discuss and work on one principles per week in a group (discussion material is downloadable from their website www.leadstar.us). The leadership skills can be improved and learned!

Jane Wardhana graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Chemical Engineering. She is currently working as a product development engineer in St Paul, Minnesota.

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