LEADERSHIP FLOW

Leaders are urged to connect to ancient wisdom and to know themselves in this debut self-help book.

In this guide, Chickering draws on her background as an outdoorswoman, corporate leader, and consultant to advise readers on fulfilling their leadership potential by developing self-mastery and a sense of flow as well as understanding the connections among management, spirituality, and nature. The book is structured around the “Native American experience of Seven Directions,” which the author defines as “North, South, East, West, and sometimes Above, Below, and Within,” using each one as the theme of a chapter. Employing examples from her own career and people she has advised, Chickering encourages readers to understand the difference between being and doing, to be present and mindful, to develop a sense of respect, and to strengthen their emotional agility. “Explore, Engage, Experiment” callout boxes throughout the book offer suggestions for concrete applications of the concepts discussed in the text. An appendix provides an annotated bibliography of resources for further reading. The author’s enthusiasm for her subject is palpable, and readers interested in developing a stronger connection with their emotions and intuition will find the manual particularly useful. For instance, she suggests that anger “signals an unseen truth about something, someone, or ourselves,” which readers can determine by analyzing the emotion’s deeper meaning. The guide’s many examples—ranging from Chickering’s mountain-climbing experiences to the rebuilding of relationships among executives—do an excellent job of illustrating its ideas. Some readers may find the general notions valid but the text too credulous in its embrace of metaphysical concepts (for instance, the author attributes a seemingly unprovoked emotional meltdown to the 9/11 attacks, which she was unaware of at the time). But on the whole, the book comes across as thoughtful and authentic. Chickering displays a clear understanding of the subjects she discusses as well as a genuine interest in encouraging readers to embrace the “Seven Directions” concept and strengthen both their connections to others and their performance in personal and professional settings.

A solid manual that explores the metaphysics and psychology of leadership.