“…most people are incapable of truly original or independent thought, but a leader must have that ability”
In 2002 Steve Sample, Tenth President of the University of Southern California penned the book, “The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership” I was reminded of this great little read during a discussion with a business colleague last week. Not surprising, when I found my copy it was full of many long-forgotten marginal notes and post-it stickers (also covered with my characteristically unreadable scrawl).
The key take-away of the book is that most people are incapable of truly original or independent thought, but a leader must have that ability. Sample draws heavily on classical works from Shakespeare to Machiavelli to Abraham Lincoln to support this proposition. As an aside, his recommendations for a reading list are fun, and…well, contrarian.
Continue reading “Rebel – a leader must break free of the wisdom of the herd, and strike out in bold new directions.”