Book Review: Lead Like Ike

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If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Thankfully, there is the opportunity to learn from others who have walked before us. Lead Like Ike is one biographical book that helps you see how his leadership style can be used today.

Disclaimer ~  I was provided with a copy of Lead Like Ike for the purpose of providing an honest review.  No other compensation has been provided and the opinions in this review are my own. Amazon affiliate links are present for your convenience. We MAY earn a small commission for purchases made through them.

About Lead Like Ike:

Dwight Eisenhower’s leadership methods during the most daunting project in history, the D-Day Invasion, provide invaluable strategies for today’s business person.

No modern CEO has ever led such a large organization—the immense Allied military forces of the U.S., Great Britain, and Canada—in the face of such crushing pressure to succeed.

Lead Like Ike begins with Eisenhower reporting for work as the CEO of D-Day Inc., facing a ridiculously tight timeline, having to create an executive staff and company, and then managing D-Day Inc.’s early projects, the invasions of North Africa and Sicily.

By analyzing military operations as business operations, and the commanding general as CEO, Lead Like Ike finds management lessons for modern corporate executives.

My Thoughts on Lead Like Ike

After I finished typing up the last review for the TOS Homeschool Crew year, I took a gander at available books from BookSneeze to review.  This one caught my eye for a variety of reasons.

First off, I have a MBA and love to read stories of management in action.  Case studies were actually a favorite assignment in classes for me. I’m all about the practical application of theory.

Secondly, family members love to watch shows about WWII on History and The Military Channel.  Whether this is because we didn’t get much modern history in school OR that there are so many programs about that time period, I don’t know. But, there seems to be an attraction to learning more about this period in our history.
So request a copy, I did.

The majority of this book was read while waiting for eldest son to do his Boy Scout First Aid merit badge skills.  Usually, I enjoy sitting in the sun during the summer reading something light for the mind.  But, it never is truly HOT during the summer up here in Alaska and the need to have some ‘brain candy’ isn’t that strong.  Reading Lead Like Ike while enjoying moments of sunshine fit rather well.

The book takes you step by step through the whole process from Ike’s appointment as interim CEO of D-Day, Inc.  The author has intertwined the history of D-Day with an analysis of lessons managers can learn from Ike’s actions.  Tossed into the mix are examples from different corporations through the ages (e.g. Disney, Ford, and Southwest Airlines.) As he brings each chapter to a close, he sums up the key points a manager can take away from that section in Ike’s tenure.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading through the book.  History buffs might long for more detail.

Mr. Loftus’  ability to tie together history and managerial techniques provides the reader with ample food for thought.  While I easily saw practical applications in the business world where profit is the ultimate goal, I found myself contemplating roles I have held in organizations where volunteers handle a substantial portion of the work.

Whether a small, large, for-profit or non-profit organization, those working in management can either walk away with new ideas or a rejuvenated conviction of the path they want to take from this book.

Lead Like Ike: Ten Business Strategies from the CEO of D-Day

Lead Like Ike can be purchased wherever Thomas Nelson books are sold.  The suggested retail price for this hardback book is $24.95, but the price is lower on sites like Amazon.