Developing Leadership

Developing Leadership is a groundbreaking book that focuses on the lifetime development of ten strong, competent, and fascinating women governors. This one of a kind book shares the commonalities and perspectives of ten women on their own personal journeys in developing leadership throughout childhood, youth, young adulthood, and adulthood. These ten women reflect a journey shared, in part, by all leaders. Based on years of research, Developing Leadership provides a profile of each governor and then an analysis of the data gathered from extensive interviews with each of these women. It shows how they were able to develop the skills and abilities throughout their lives to become the leaders they became. If we are truly interested in figuring out how to develop strong, competent leaders for the future, then we must look at those who have succeeded in the past and those who are succeeding now. This book provides a blueprint for any woman who wants to learn to lead.

If you want to develop your leadership skills, read Developing Leadership. Drawing on the personal stories and experiences of some of America's most effective leaders, Dr. Madsen's book teaches all of us that becoming a leader is about becoming an integrated human being. This book reminds us that our past journey prepares us for our leadership callings in the world. This is a truly inspirational book that I will share with my daughters, sister, mother, students, colleagues, and clients., This book shares a grassroots look at the critical factors that have influenced ten of our past and current prominent female leaders in government today. By reflecting on the past experiences of these women, Dr. Madsen captures the key development influences in these women's lives, making them understandable and useable in our roles as mentors to the young women of today. This book changed the way I view myself as an individual, a mentor, and a mother and provided great insight into how I have developed throughout my life and how I affect others., Through interviews supported by the author's added comments, Madsen provides an interesting look at ten women state governors who have crashed through the glass ceiling to occupy the chief executive offices in their respective states. How they accomplished this and what kind of leadership advice they can offer as a result of their experience makes this a useful books for students in a variety of scholarly disciplines., In a time when Hilary Clinton created "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling," this book is a valuable resource for any leaders in any sector. It will be of special interest for women hoping to assume political leadership. The irony is that the book leads them to understand that wanting to be governor isn't the first step. Before that comes service, learning from everyone one works or volunteers with, relentless self-examination, taking opportunities to serve and learn, and staying focused on needed changes. Then leadership opportunities may be many. Madsen admirably describes what was and is essential to any kind of political leadership.

Susan R. Madsen, (Ph.D.), is Associate Professor of Management at Utah Valley University. She had been an independent management consultant in a variety of settings including education, government, nonprofit, community, and corporate for more that sixteen years.