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Leadership in action

Every student of leadership has read about the great military leaders of the past. Everyone knows of Patton, Bradley, Marshall, MacArthur and Eisenhower. Clearly, these leaders provided stellar examples for us to follow, but it’s leadership at every level of the organization that separates the merely good from the great. In great organizations effective leadership is practiced everyday, by every member.

Although twenty years old, the United States Army Leadership in Action book provides nearly fifty leadership success stories from every rank, including civilian. The short vignettes, from “The Hanger Queen” to the “Doing More with Less….and Liking it” provide interesting and salient leadership stories and advice. Moreover, the stories are examined in the light of different leadership challenges and solutions. There is tons of practical advice for use in any organization.

These case studies, presented in interesting narrative form, provide the depth necessary for personal leadership development. A complete copy of Leadership in Action is available free at the Armed Forces Reading List.

Lt. Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.) is the author of “Police Technology” and the co-author of Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style. During his twenty-four years with the Los Angeles Police Department he worked 10 geographic areas; including Newton, 77th and Southwest Areas. In addition to patrol, Foster worked specialized assignments such as communications, traffic, community relations and fugitives. Foster has a BA in Criminal Justice Management and a Masters in Public Finance.