Leadership on the Line (Revised)

Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Change

By: Ronald A. Heifetz, Marty Linsky

Narrated by: Jack Garrett

To lead is to live dangerously. It's romantic and exciting to think of leadership as all inspiration, decisive action, and rich rewards, but leading requires taking risks that can jeopardize your career and your personal life. It requires putting yourself on the line, disrupting the status quo, and surfacing hidden conflict. And when people resist and push back, there's a strong temptation to play it safe. Those who choose to lead plunge in, take the risks, and sometimes get burned. But it doesn't have to be that way, according to renowned leadership experts Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky. In Leadership on the Line, they show how it's possible to make a difference without getting "taken out" or pushed aside. They present everyday tools that give equal weight to the dangerous work of leading change and the critical importance of personal survival. Through vivid stories from all walks of life, the authors present straightforward strategies for navigating the perilous straits of leadership. Whether you're a parent or a politician, a CEO or a community activist, this practical book shows how you can exercise leadership and survive and thrive to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

©2017 Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky (P)2017 Recorded Books

Amazing book

The most I can say without giving anything away is that, the book gave me chills throughout the read. It is disappointing that I have reached the end of the book.

Must read - great stories - the Bible of Leadership

Ron Heifetz is the most popular Professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Gov’t because of this book and the class he teaches based on this book.

My greatest regret is not taking his class. My classmates talk of his class constantly and apply the lessons they learned from him in their roles as Ministers & Ambassadors.

Practical and honest

Unique among leadership books in its honesty about the perils of leadership along with practical advice for avoiding the worst outcomes.

Fantastic read

This book is an outstanding resource for leader who understand and work towards going beyond mere myth of measurements. Leadership has its difficulties and dangers but you can and must lead with compassion and an open mind and heart if you are to lead successfully. Yes you will get bumped and bruised, this book teaches how to deal and maneuver through those hardships and to lead effectively.

Great Book

A must reader for anyone in a leadership position. This book has given me a different perspective on leadership.

Great view of leadership

This book gives you a holistic down-to-earth view of leadership and the ability to perform it (instead of the common believe that leadership is a gift).

Leadership is rewarding and difficult

Maybe it's just the period of life, but this book touched a nerve...or two. It offered practical advice. It also provided much needed reminders. I have key leaders of our staff reading it right now.

A Transformative Work

I am absolutely in awe by the amount of wisdom shared throughout each chapter of this book. Every statement, case, and proposition is referenced to specific situations encountered by historical and modern leaders. This is, by far, one of my favorite books along with "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.

Leading Isn’t Easy

The book was good. The book was straight to the point highlighting key things to make you successful in leadership.

The best book you’ll ever read about leadership

This approach to leadership is so comprehensive that it will amaze you: It coherently integrates systems, psychodynamic, interpersonal, behavioral and values-based perspectives for the effective development of adaptive leadership. Now, if you like the book, you should definitely apply to Harvard Kennedy School’s program about the Art and Practice of Leadership Development, since this approach has an experiential component that you won’t grasp by reading a book. You need to experience it, and in so doing, it will change your life.