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The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow Paperback – January 16, 2009
This insightful and engaging book speaks volumes on ways in which all of us, at any level, can improve our leadership impact and develop the humility, integrity, and honor that instills hope and confidence in others. Drawing on over 25 years of leadership experience, Bruna Martinuzzi brilliantly conveys the essential guidelines for the emotionally intelligent leadership needed for enduring success. Some leaders are exceptional human beings, people that others genuinely want to follow; the book uses the Yiddish word Mensch, meaning "real person of character" to describe these worthy leaders. Martinuzzi takes the reader on a transformative journey to a way of living, self-discovery, and personal strength that translates into becoming a person who authentically inspires with empathy and confidence -- and successfully motivates others to follow by example, a mensch-leader.
Written for senior and emergent leaders, as well as coaches and mentors, Leader as a Mensch reminds us that followers strongly impact and sustain good leadership -- and, before you can lead any group, team, or organization, you must first lead yourself. This book is anyone wanting to enhance the way he or she supports and influences others at work and in life. An unsurpassed glimpse into the strength, wisdom, and self-mastery of true leadership, Bruna Martinuzzi's inspiring words close with an equally inspiring appendix, complete with an extensive listings of books, articles, and emotional intelligence frameworks to use on your path toward your personal best.
- Print length151 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSix Seconds
- Publication dateJanuary 16, 2009
- ISBN-100979734304
- ISBN-13978-0979734304
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Every once in a while a book is written that is as rich with heart as it is with skills and applications. This book is a must-read for anyone who has come to grips with the fact leadership is not about exercising authority. It s about setting a clear example. Every reader can find something for themselves to work on in this soon to be business classic. --Joseph Gibbons, Ph.D., The FutureWork Institute.
This is a valuable and uplifting book for everyone who wants to make the world a better place. Bruna Martinuzzi has written a beautiful book about how to achieve true 'menschdom'. --Guy Kawasaki, MBA, Author, Reality Check; Co-founder, Alltop.com
The uniqueness of this book is Bruna Martinuzzi s ability to universally assimilate the word mensch into today's leadership lexicon. Fluent in six languages, a global workplace coach, and a mensch herself -- I'd say her affinity to the human elements of growth and change will have a global and lasting effect on all of our tomorrows.
-- Libby Sartain, MBA, SPHR, CCP, Former Yahoo & Southwest Airlines executive; author, HR from the Heart
This book is an invaluable and timely tool in the field of executive coaching. Bruna Martinuzzi has positioned emotional intelligence as the centerpiece in leadership by describing the emotionally intelligent mensch which exemplifies what we should strive for in leaders.
-- Reuven Bar-On, Ph.D., Emotional intelligence expert, creator, The Bar-On Model of Emotional Intelligence
An extraordinary collection of truly inspiring insights into leadership success; an instant classic. --Lauren Doliva, Ph.D., Heidrick & Struggle
This is truly an important book for our times. Given decades of erosion in the principles and practices of corporate and public leadership, Bruna's book reminds us, in fact inspires us, about the salient characteristics of trusted leaders and the forces that drive us to follow and respect them. This book is a must read for everyone. We all have the opportunity to lead each day and Bruna shows us our potential to do so.
-- Michael H. Mitchell, GreenLight Management Inc.
I often read leadership books and wonder whether I would want to lead in such a way, whether I would be capable of such leadership, or whether I would follow such a leader. In this book, Bruna Martinuzzi has woven the essential meaning of the word mensch into a new vision for leaders. I am confident that such leaders would be 'worth following'.
-- David R. Caruso, Ph.D., EI Skills Group, coauthor, The Emotionally Intelligent Manager
Bruna Martinuzzi has distilled the essence of what it takes to influence and motivate others, not by the exercise of authority, but through the example of ethical and admirable character. She doesn't just tell us how -- she helps us understand. --Mark D. Lange, MBA, Writer - Christian Science Monitor; former PeopleSoft and SAP executive
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Six Seconds
- Publication date : January 16, 2009
- Language : English
- Print length : 151 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0979734304
- ISBN-13 : 978-0979734304
- Item Weight : 9 ounces
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,573,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this leadership book well-written and easy to read, appreciating how it connects familiar strategies with emotional intelligence. The book is enjoyable and allows the brain to make strong connections, with one customer noting it serves as a potent tool for executive coaching.
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Customers appreciate the book's leadership style, finding it well written and easy to read, with one customer noting how it connects familiar strategies with emotional intelligence.
"...This book talks a lot about leaders, and while reading it, I releated to it not only as professional, but also as an individual, a father, a husband..." Read more
"Excellent book, well written, wonderfully illustrated and will use in LEAD Classes...to Learn, Excellence, Adaptable and Dedicated...." Read more
"...Kind of Person Others Want to Follow" is a quick and interesting read for aspiring leaders seeking a new understanding and appreciation of the..." Read more
"...The Leader as a Mensch, is one of the best conceived and well-written books on leadership I've seen, and I write them for a living...." Read more
Customers find the book enjoyable and useful, with one mentioning it's fantastic to dip in and out of.
"Excellent book, well written, wonderfully illustrated and will use in LEAD Classes...to Learn, Excellence, Adaptable and Dedicated...." Read more
"...An empowering, energizing, different take on leadership. Most enjoyable." Read more
"Bruna Martinuzzi's book, The Leader as a Mensch, is one of the best conceived and well-written books on leadership I've seen, and I write them for a..." Read more
"...It's a fantastic book to dip in and out of when in need of some inspiration or just needing a general "uplift"." Read more
Customers find the book energizing, with several noting how it allows the brain to make strong connections. One customer describes it as a potent tool for executive coaching.
"...I know I do, and I love the way this book describes it and provides some guidance that can help me close the gaps to be one...." Read more
"...written, wonderfully illustrated and will use in LEAD Classes...to Learn, Excellence, Adaptable and Dedicated...." Read more
"...An empowering, energizing, different take on leadership. Most enjoyable." Read more
"...Among other things, it is a potent tool for the executive coach...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2010Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI'm a kinesthetic kind of person, which very often means I can feel things and memorize it this way, though it is very difficult for me expressing them by words. Bruna Martinuzzi describes in a beautiful and concise way some of my core values, and skills that I aspire to have and to master.
This book talks a lot about leaders, and while reading it, I releated to it not only as professional, but also as an individual, a father, a husband, a son, a coworker and a citizen. Definitely all leaders should be a Mensch or at least have many characteristics of one, but everyone should aspire to be a Mensch. I know I do, and I love the way this book describes it and provides some guidance that can help me close the gaps to be one.
I love this book and I'm planning to read it again to remember myself and work on the aspirational goal of being a Mensch someday. I highly recommend it.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2010Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIn this day and age where everyone seems to be trying to increase their influence, and their followers and friends, through social networks, why do you think some people succeed at becoming social superstars and some don't?
They have read "The Leader is a Mensch"!
Bruna is a true superstar and her book is warm and compasionate and a wonderful extenstion of who she is. I refer to it as my bible, and consider myself grateful that she has shared it with me.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2016Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseExcellent book, well written, wonderfully illustrated and will use in LEAD Classes...to Learn, Excellence, Adaptable and Dedicated.
I am using a drawing of a tree to illustrate the three most important points of Emotional Intelligence. The Roots, Knowing
who you are and how you will react....The Trunk, Choosing how you are known as you consider your options, and how to Give
back in the branches and leaves...
- Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2009Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase"The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow" is a quick and interesting read for aspiring leaders seeking a new understanding and appreciation of the traits and dimensions of effective leadership.
Virtually every chapter identifies other books and resources that I now want to read. I have added several to my reading list.
The more I read, the more I realized how little I actually knew. Bruna Martinuzzi motivated me seek a deeper understanding of a whole host of topics.
An empowering, energizing, different take on leadership. Most enjoyable.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2013Format: KindleVerified PurchaseBruna Martinuzzi's book, The Leader as a Mensch, is one of the best conceived and well-written books on leadership I've seen, and I write them for a living. Among other things, it is a potent tool for the executive coach. Chapter 1 (Humility) is required reading for most of my C-level executive coaching clients. In ten minutes, it accomplishes what a week of dialogue cannot. Standing Bravo!!
Bill Catlette
- Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2010Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThe brain loves connections. In the book, "The Leader as a Mensch.." Bruna connects familiar leadership strategies with EQ, allowing the brain to make strong connections and put EQ leadership both into a context of what we know and what we need to know. It a must have for those of us that are leaders, work with leaders or are developing leaders. I highly recommend this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2010Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThat's when i read, incredulously, that whomever wrote the forward for Ms. Martinuzzi gives us an example of five political "Mensches":
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Winston Churchill
Mahatma Gandhi and
BARACK OBAMA!!!
Whether or not you agree with me, and most Americans do, that Obama is about as far away from a Mensch as you can get I just can't believe that ANYBODY would lump a President in his second year with these all time greats it astounds me
I'm in the process of sending it back right don't know why anybody else didn't point this out what a dumb thing to put to paper
- Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2011Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA well written, easy to read book that encapsualtes everything managers and leaders need to be a real success. It is a truly inspirational read and I could relate well to the tree metaphor structure of the book. It's a fantastic book to dip in and out of when in need of some inspiration or just needing a general "uplift".
Top reviews from other countries
- Renee RussellReviewed in Canada on July 11, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Excellent book! True meaning of authenticity and emotional intelligence centered in the heart of Leadership.
- KitReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars An easy read packed full of ideas that bring valuable reflection.
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis is a wonderful book which guides one through careful reflection and provides a valuable structure for leading a team in a way that puts relationships, values and purpose at its core. A fabulous book.
- mmlReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Well organised
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseEasy to understand. Well organised chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will likely go back and read it again to remind myself of some of the points. Good book in general .