General Stanley McChrystal On Character In Leadership

In this book, General Stanley McChrystal and Anna Butrico present a new way to understand and manage risk. Instead of focusing on the probability of events, they emphasize the importance of managing the interface through which risks can be controlled. The authors identify ten dimensions of control—communication, narrative, structure, technology, diversity, bias, action, timing, adaptability, and leadership—that can be adjusted to maintain a healthy 'Risk Immune System. ' Drawing on examples from military history, business, and other fields, the book provides practical exercises and insights to help individuals and organizations prepare for and respond to various types of risk.

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.