So You Want to Be a Leader - Advice and Counsel to Young Leaders, 2nd Edition
This book was written to offer leadership counsel and advice to young leaders (I realize that young is a relative term, and my audience/readers proved it so). During the writing, I was thinking of young officers, non-commissioned officers, administrators, and businessmen who were facing the challenges of leading, hiring, firing, creating change, and finding and developing the personnel necessary to lead in a changing world. I soon learned that many of my readers were seasoned leaders and others who were young but not yet leaders, but aspired to be leaders. The second edition is an update and contains the many positive endorsements I received from my readers.
get your copy here:
Email jhbenson15@gmail.com for signed copy.
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Price is $18.95 for softback copy and $28.95 for hardback copy (plus postage).
Executive Courage - Sometimes You Have to Walk Point
I use the metaphor of walking point to emphasize that organizational longevity and greatness are not achieved by faint-at-heart executives who seek cover through consensus-building, compromise solutions, focus groups, and duplicitous actions.
Walking point is taking charge of the organization. It involves trusting one’s instincts, possessing a propensity to will or determine an outcome through words and action, having a poorly developed sense of fear and risk, and possessing an insatiable intention to be the best.
There will be those who disagree with my assertions, especially those relating to the leadership and management of schools, colleges, and small to medium size businesses. Of course, exceptions to my discoveries exist, and I acknowledge that leadership is a dynamic process and leader skill sets vary so dramatically that it is hard to generalize. But, the fact is that it takes a bold, decisive, confident, ice-in-the-veins leader to turnaround a rapidly failing organization – a leader who does not lead with his feelings nor fear the demise of his popularity.
This book describes what more than 50 years of leading and managing change has taught me; this is the way I did it; and I have the successes and scars to prove it.
Reviews of the Draft
“Brilliant and practical leadership lessons from a seasoned combat veteran, coach, teacher, and mentor. Jim Benson and his leadership style are what I want my children to serve under and learn from. In a world that emphasizes self interests and gratification … this is a must read for anyone who seeks to lead with character and influence. It exemplifies the principles and character that must be present in our next generation of leaders.”
Major General Mastin M. Robeson, USMC (Ret)
President/CEO, TRG Solutions, LLC
"Dr. Jim Benson represents the ultimate triple threat … combat-tested Marine, academic scholar, and quintessential leader. His unmatched passion, wisdom, and personal courage while president, transformed two struggling military schools into two of the nation’s premier leadership academies. His personal example positively impacted the lives of thousands of young men and women and ultimately assured the future of two of the nation’s finest military schools. Through Executive Courage, Jim shares the wisdom gained through a life of “walking point.” Jim Benson is more than merely a student of leadership, he is leadership personified."
COL Raymond J. Rottman, USAF (Ret)
Executive Director, the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS)
As a preview, the draft of Section 56 "Turnarounds & Recoveries" of my new book, Executive Courage... is included herein. This section may be the highlight of the book. Enjoy!
Download it here for an informative review