The Arc of Ambition: Defining the Leadership Journey - Softcover

Champy, James; Nohria, Nitin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471530204 ISBN 13: 9780471530206

Publisher: Wiley, 2001

Synopsis

The Arc of Ambition is aimed at all those who dream of achieving greatness in any field. It is a handbook of lessons derived from the lives of great achievers past and present. The principles of this book come not from conventional psychology (clinical or theoretical) but from life experiences. They are derived from the authors long observation of ambitious people, both past and present in all walks of life.
The Arc of Ambition takes us on a journey through the creative process that transforms dreams into reality. Showcasing the life-changing experiences of dozens of contemporary and historical figures from the worlds of business, politics, science and the arts, The Arc of Ambition is an inspirational and practical guide to harnessing your ambition in order to live up to your highest potential and leave a legacy of accomplishment.

About this title

Review:

Nearly everyone aspires to something--wealth, fame, happiness. But a few people aspire to changing an entire paradigm, the way the Wright Brothers did when they invented a glider with an engine, the way Nelson Mandela did when he endured decades of imprisonment to see his nation transformed, the way Thomas Jefferson did when he doubled the territory of the young U.S. by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from France for less than three cents an acre. All seem like obvious ideas in retrospect, but in fact all appeared quixotic at the time, as wrongheaded as the alchemy that had been attempted for 300 years without ever succeeding in turning a base metal into gold.

In Arc of Ambition, authors James Champy (Reengineering Management, Reengineering the Corporation) and Nitin Nohria see these visionaries as creators, but also recognize two other species of genius: capitalizers, who take great ideas and create great businesses or social movements from them; and consolidators, who lead these businesses or movements into maturity. All three types have the titular "arc of ambition." That is, they start with a great idea, realize it, cope with the success of it (the chapter on overreaching and squandering opportunity includes the cautionary tales of Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton), and decide when and how to turn the product of their imagination over to others. Ultimately, The Arc of Ambition is the entire history of the modern world, of its politics and technology and art. Everything we know and either cherish or loathe starts as someone's ambition, and ends when the product of someone else's ambition becomes the dominant model. It's an interesting and entertaining way to organize the world, to look at the facts with new eyes. In that sense, the authors display the fruits of ambition even as they explain them. --Lou Schuler

From the Back Cover:

"I love this book for at least two big reasons. First, it is original, the first graphic definition of the role of ambition, not only for leadership but for success in life. The second, and related, genius of this book is the range of leaders and high flyers the authors discuss, from Michael Dell to Thomas Jefferson, from Henry Ford to Napoleon. Essential reading for aspiring leaders, from senior executives to undergraduates." Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business, University of Southern California, and co-author of Organizing Genius and Co-Leaders.
What drives some individuals to accomplish spectacular achievements, to fulfill aspirations beyond anyone's wildest expectations and make a lasting impression upon the people and institutions around them? For internationally renowned management experts, Jim Champy and Nitin Nohria, the key ingredient is ambition. Everyone has a dream, but very few have the courage and persistence to fulfill it. The Arc of Ambition takes us on a journey through the creative process that tranforms dreams into reality. Showcasing the life-changing experiences of dozens of contemporary and historical figures from the worlds of business, politics, science, and the arts, The Arc of Ambition is an inspirational and practical guide to harnessing your ambition in order to live up to your highest potential and leave a legacy of accomplishment.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0471530204
• ISBN 13: 9780471530206
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288