Creative Execution: What Great Leaders Do to Unleash Bold Thinking and Innovation

Foreword

Every organization knows that its future—its success or failure—depends above all on its leaders. So it is not surprising that millions of words are written about leadership. But despite these words and the research behind them, leadership remains an elusive concept. There is no template for leadership. Even if we can list the world’s most famous leaders, recognising leadership potential is an art, not a science. In different circumstances, in different cultures and at different times, leadership qualities will be adapted in different ways.

One of the reasons why it is so difficult to define leadership—or to isolate the qualities that make for a good leader—is that leaders are like artists: they come in a bewildering array of shapes ...