SU Chancellor Emeritus Pens Supplement to ‘The Intentional Leader’
The challenges of leadership are many: motivating and inspiring others, resolving conflicts, leading groups, making effective decisions, maintaining high ethical standards, developing the leadership skills of others. And, finally, knowing when to step down.
These are among the topics discussed in “The Intentional Leader – 2009 Supplement” by Skaneateles resident Kenneth A. “Buzz” Shaw, Chancellor Emeritus and University Professor at Syracuse University. The book was published Dec. 1 by Syracuse University Press.
“The Intentional Leader,” first published by SU Press in 2005, has sold more than 2,200 copies and is widely used as a college text. Rather than publishing a second edition, Shaw decided to take a more novel approach—playing off the original.
“In this day of thinking green, why not save a few trees and find a way to make the best use of what is available?” he writes, in explaining his rationale. “Why not give loyal readers of the first and only edition an inexpensive way to keep up-to-date?”
Part One contains additional information and observations following chapters and topics as they appear in the original. Included are articles on leadership written by Shaw for the Central New York Business Exchange, materials used in Shaw’s leadership classes, student summaries of “The Leader’s Voice” by Clarke and Crossland, and additions to the Selected Readings list.
Part Two, Learning Leadership Through Movies, encompasses the study of 31 titles. “[Movies] influence us in many ways—both good and bad,” Shaw writes. “But we can learn a great deal from them, particularly about leadership, if our viewing is purposeful and if there is a structure to keep us on track.” Short summaries are provided for each movie, followed by a series of questions that reinforce leadership principles and skills.
As a companion to the supplement, 10 videos—featuring Shaw’s graduate students and illustrating ways to manage conflicts and lead groups—are available on his website, http://whitman.syr.edu/shaw/.
Shaw, who earlier this year was named a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, the state’s highest honor, served as a campus or system president for 27 years—at Southern Illinois University, the University of Wisconsin System and, from 1991 to 2004, at Syracuse University. The recipient of eight honorary degrees, he has served as a consultant to numerous educational, governmental and private-sector organizations.
“The Intentional Leader – 2009 Supplement” is available for $11.95 at local bookstores or at http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/spring-2009/intentional-leader-2009-supplement.html.
