Driven to Lead: Good, Bad and Misguided Leadership

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reviews the latest learning and development books across the globe and pinpoints practical implications.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Driven to Lead Good, Bad and Misguided Leadership is the author's effort to create a unified and accurate model of human behavior and leadership. Paul Lawrence has spent a lifetime researching and writing across the social science fields while teaching at Harvard Business School. In his previous book, Driven, he introduced the concept of four drives that explain human behavior. This book applies that concept to the practice of leadership. Dr Lawrence calls his theory The Renewed Darwinian Theory of Human Behavior and Leadership, finding deep insights from Charles Darwin's second book, The Descent of Man. In 300 pages, this book shows how disciplines from cultural anthropology and psychology to biology and economics can come together to explain human evolution, the current state of the world, and the way forward.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.

Citation

Wollard, K.K. (2012), "Driven to Lead: Good, Bad and Misguided Leadership", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 35-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777281211225811