The Leader's Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the core aspects of leadership including how to develop your personal leadership skills, effectively lead and manage a team, and how to lead within an organisational context. The book is influenced by the author's service with the Australian Army and begins by defining leadership and discussing its importance in various settings, including business, government, education, community organisations and of course within Defence.
Next, it explores different leadership styles and approaches, including autocratic, democratic, and transformational leadership, and takes a deeper dive into Servant Leadership and Situational Leadership based on their utility. It provides examples of each style and discusses the pros and cons of each approach.
It then delves into the topic of developing leadership skills. It discusses the importance of education, experience, and self-reflection in the development of strong leadership abilities. It also covers the importance of communication, motivation, and goal-setting for effective leadership.
It then focuses on the topic of leading and managing a team. It discusses best practices for creating a positive team culture, building teamwork and collaboration, and setting and achieving goals. It then covers the importance of effective communication in leadership and how to provide constructive feedback to team members.
In the final section of the book, the topic of strategic planning is addressed. The book discusses the planning process and provides an overview of the Military Appreciation Process adapted to assist leaders to facilitate the planning process in the organisations they lead.
The Leader's Handbook provides a comprehensive and practical guide for individuals looking to develop their leadership skills and effectively lead and manage a team. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of leadership to advanced strategies for success.
