The Unseen Leader delivers one simple but immensely powerful point: we need to radically rethink how we discuss leadership.
In this book, American historian Martin Gutmann passionately challenges the received wisdom that history's great leaders were individuals with a proclivity for action and brash words. Drawing on extensive historical scholarship and contemporary leadership theory, Gutmann delves into the journeys of four unknown or misunderstood leaders who achieved remarkable successes in vastly different environments-the Polar North, the deserts of Arabia, the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and Second World War London. What emerges is an entirely new narrative on leadership. Contrary to the perception of heroic protagonists forging ahead boldly, history's truly great leaders were often precisely those who didn't need to generate excessive noise or activity. Instead, they skillfully minimized dramatic circumstances. Their stories challenge our present-day conception of leadership and can inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
"A provocative look at what history really teaches us about effective leadership. This book will challenge you to rethink some of your core assumptions about what it takes to align people around common goals".
- Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THINK AGAIN and host of the podcast Re:Thinking
"A delightful and powerful read. Through the simple act of profiling four of history's overlooked or misunderstood leaders, Gutmann challenges some of our most sacred leadership assumptions and lays the foundations for a new leadership story."
- Erin Meyer, Ph.D., New York Times best-selling author of No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention and Professor at INSEAD
"Deeply insightful and refreshingly unique! The Unseen Leader tells the profound tales of four leaders that teach and inspire us about the leadership that often doesn't make headlines, but rather quietly and purposefully instructs and guides teams to lasting success. This is a captivating read that will challenge you to see leadership in a new light and offer practical ways you can become the leader you strive to be today."
- Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, #1 Thinkers50 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There
"The book's impressive scholarship is balanced with an engaging and accessible writing style that targets general readers. A convincingly argued, well-researched counternarrative to the history of 'great leaders.'" (Kirkus, kirkusreviews.com, April 14, 2024)
"I loved the stories in this book that were so well researched and often showed a different perspective of historical leadership. ? Highly recommended for those who want to know what is and what isn't, 'leadership'." (Bob, bobselden.com, March 15, 2024)
"This book was thoughtful and provocative. ... the case studies in this book, the author has aimed to shine a light on what are the truly useful and actionable takeaways from looking at these people and how they played the cards they were holding. We enjoyed it, and would recommend checking it out." (Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News, irishtechnews.ie, November 9, 2023)
