Rapid Response: A crisis leadership session with General Stanley McChrystal

In 'Leaders: Myth and Reality', Stanley McChrystal, along with co-authors Jeff Eggers and Jay Mangone, examines the myth of leadership by profiling thirteen leaders from various eras and fields. Using Plutarch’s 'Lives' as a model, the authors pair leaders to study the act of leadership itself, highlighting how leadership works in practice and challenging three key myths: the Formulaic Myth, the Attribution Myth, and the Results Myth. The book explores how leadership is intensely contextual, dependent on followers and environmental factors, and symbolizes what followers want or need. It includes profiles of leaders such as Walt Disney, Coco Chanel, Robert E. Lee, Martin Luther, and Martin Luther King Jr., among others, to provide a nuanced understanding of leadership.

In 'Team of Teams', General Stanley McChrystal and his co-authors share insights on how to lead organizations effectively in a complex and rapidly changing world. Drawing from McChrystal's experiences commanding the Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq, the book highlights the need to move from traditional hierarchical structures to a more decentralized 'team of teams' approach. This involves fostering common purpose, shared consciousness, empowered execution, and trust among team members. The book uses historical and contemporary examples, including military and business scenarios, to illustrate how this approach can enhance organizational adaptability and success.

In *My Share of the Task*, General Stanley McChrystal reflects on his military career, from his early days at West Point to his leadership roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. The book explores his approach to leadership, emphasizing decentralization, initiative, and the importance of understanding the complexities of modern warfare. McChrystal also discusses the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned throughout his career.