Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit

From the Inside Flap LEADING WITH SOUL Since the first edition of Leading with Soul was published in 1995, its inspiring message has become even more urgent and timely in a world horrified by the events of 9/11, enraged by the hubris of business hotshots who triggered a world-wide economic crisis, and infuriated by limp, misguided responses to floods, oil spills, and nuclear catastrophes. Now more than ever we need courageous leaders with soul. Leading with Soul invites world-weary managers on a journey in search of one's personal path to leadership and offers hope for reconnecting work and spirit. In this new and thoroughly revised edition of their classic work, Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal update a timeless spiritual message in the light of the turmoil of recent years as well as adding new insights from the literature of spirituality and work. As the authors explain, "Soul is personal and unique, grounded in the depths of individual experience. Spirit is transcendent and all embracing. It is the universal source, the oneness of all things." At the heart of the book is the compelling story of a dispirited executive on his quest to find something deeper than rational plans and a focus on the bottom line. His story points the way to more rewarding work and more vibrant and spirited organizations. Bolman and Deal use this engaging parable to show how we can develop a life and livelihood that center on meaning, purpose, joy, and a sense of contribution to the greater community. By embarking on a new path, we can transform our lives and livelihoods to become truly enriched and spiritually fulfilled. LEADING WITH SOUL Since the first edition of Leading with Soul was published in 1995, its inspiring message has become even more urgent and timely in a world horrified by the events of 9/11, enraged by the hubris of business hotshots who triggered a world-wide economic crisis, and infuriated by limp, misguided responses to floods, oil spills, and nuclear catastrophes. Now more than ever we need courageous leaders with soul. Leading with Soul invites world-weary managers on a journey in search of one’s personal path to leadership and offers hope for reconnecting work and spirit. In this new and thoroughly revised edition of their classic work, Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal update a timeless spiritual message in the light of the turmoil of recent years as well as adding new insights from the literature of spirituality and work. As the authors explain, “Soul is personal and unique, grounded in the depths of individual experience. Spirit is transcendent and all embracing. It is the universal source, the oneness of all things.” At the heart of the book is the compelling story of a dispirited executive on his quest to find something deeper than rational plans and a focus on the bottom line. His story points the way to more rewarding work and more vibrant and spirited organizations. Bolman and Deal use this engaging parable to show how we can develop a life and livelihood that center on meaning, purpose, joy, and a sense of contribution to the greater community. By embarking on a new path, we can transform our lives and livelihoods to become truly enriched and spiritually fulfilled. LEE G. BOLMAN holds the Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership at the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. TERRENCE E. DEAL is the former Irving R.Melbo Professor of Education at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education and coauthor of sixteen books. Read more