Inspirational Leadership
Richard Olivier
Henry V is Shakespeare's greatest leader inspired and inspiring, visionary yet pragmatic, powerful yet responsible. As a study of an inspirational leader he remains unparalleled. As a new king, Henry unites a group of disparate people around a common goal, learns to face his own self-doubts, and inspires his followers to a near-miraculous victory against all odds. It's an allegory for the trials and tribulations that beset the modern business leader.
In this fascinating book, acclaimed stage director and creative consultant Richard Olivier draws on his intimate knowledge of the play, and its absorbing central character, to unmask the secrets of inspirational leadership and reveal the timeless lessons it holds for managers and leaders today.
With unique practical understanding gained from working with real-life managers and leaders on this seminal text, Olivier successfully combines ancient wisdom with modern experience. Following the journey of the play, he tracks the development of Henry as a leader, offering timeless insights into the psychology, skills and techniques of effective, inspirational leadership.
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About Richard Olivier
Reviews for Inspirational Leadership
Chairman, Primary Care Trust Finally, leadership training is interesting!
University of Alabama, USA Grounded examples and telling lessons... as a bonus, it s wonderful to have such a committed, knowledgeable and passionate author as Olivier.
Chris Knight, Chief Executive, Group Lotus PLC The story of Henry V, captured in this book, provides an opportunity to look at where true inspiration comes from... It has already had a profound impact on many people – and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so.
Dr Andrew White, Associate Dean for Executive Education, Sai¨d Business School, University of Oxford Inspirational Leadership is more than a book about the leadership lessons of Shakespeare’s Henry V – as profound as these are. In it, Richard Olivier provides us with real help in becoming the kind of leader, the kind of person, we aspire to be. If you believe it is more important to be inspirational than to be inspired, this book is for you.
Walter McFarland, President, Windmill Human Performance, 2013 Board Chair, American Society for Training and Development We could not have succeeded without insight into, and emotional grasp of, the leadership role models provided by the genius of Shakespeare, and interpreted so forcefully by Richard Olivier.
Thomas Leysen, Chairman and former CEO of Umicore [Olivier] has taken the play’s question of what makes an authentic king and asked that question in the boardrooms of our most powerful organizations. He has asked that question of himself too. For me Richard is an authentic leader and this book a revelation for any Shakespeare lover.
Mark Rylance, Artistic Director, Shakespeare’s Globe 1996–2005 Fascinating insights ... the Bard and Richard Olivier know a great deal about good leadership.
Charles Hampden-Turner, co-author of Riding the Waves of Culture Modest, direct and eminently readable.
RSA Journal
I would never have thought that Shakespeare's Henry V could provide such an inspirational lesson in leadership... provided a great perspective on the different aspects of leadership.
Vanessa Graham, head of corporate division at the Australian government's Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education writing for The Guardian