West Point Leadership Lessons shows how the leadership principles taught at West Point can be applied to people who are managers in business and beyond. The management lessons begin with West Point's motto: "Duty. Honor. Country."

Spending time on each of these three words, the book first looks at Duty from the standpoint of embracing that rare sense of personal responsibility -a trait sorely lacking in today's world of blame and victimization. It considers Honor in light of today's corporate integrity failures. And it defines Country as being part of something bigger than oneself and belonging to an entity where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, providing inspiration and contribution. The book taps into the traditions, customs and eccentricities of the academy, as well as the lessons learned by today's West Pointers in combat, politics and business.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Lessons Urgently Needed Today!
Comment: The the stock and credit markets are in turmoil, business leaders are failing both personally and for their employees and our congress is recording extremely low approval rantings. What is going on today?

Our leader's failure in approaching problems with disciplined thought; not valuing personal integrity, and refusing to take on more responsibility are the overwhelming issues. It's too bad Scott Snair's book wasn't required reading when published 4 years ago. I urge you to purchase several copies and hand them out to your key business staff. This book is concise (only 279 pages) and is packed full of business insight and military insight. Thank goodness Scott Snair is now teaching our young leaders of the future!

Just the questions he submits "for consideration" will get a heated discussion going. I wish our small company could hire Mr. Snair for our strategic planning.

Scott Heim
Portland, Oregon

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Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the top leadership books I've read.
Comment: I have read numerous leadership books and this was one of the better books I've read. This book was so good that I chose it as a text for our 300 sworn officer police department to read for preparation for promotion.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Ok as a leadership book, but should tell more on how the Academy works the West Pointers out
Comment: One chapter at a time, the author elaborated his "Ten Keys to West Point Success" (duty, honor, country, mission, insight, execution, strategy, proficiency, loyalty and change) with histories of Eisenhower, Patton, MacAurthur and many successful West Pointer turned managers in a well organised manner. For example, in Chapter One Duty, the author stated, with three to four pages and relevant questions for each point below, that the West Pointer 1) asks for responsibility, 2) embraces the leader's role, 3) refuses to hide behind meetings and policy, 4) understands that big challenges brings big gratification, 5) is occasionally thrust into a leadership position, 6) says, "No Excuse, Sir!" 7) owns his failures. Quite standard approach, you may say, but I do like the author's writing and presentation skill. However, there's one major drawback. As some reviewers suggested, more could be told of how those youngsters are molded into true good West Pointers in the Academy. The apparent absence of such deserved a deduction of one star. Another one was cut for the insufficiency of war time big stories of how non general grade West Pointers lead. (In that respect, I strongly recommend Secrets of Special Ops Leadership by William A. Cohen) Anyway, it's a helpful and enjoyable read, but not on the top priority list.

p.s. As usual, below please find my favorite passages for your reference.

The West Pointer lets his need define him, sets the example, gets dirty, makes others care without ordering them to do, is sometimes hated but always respected and understands the power of symbolism. Chapter Five Execution

The West Pointer is constantly seeking self improvement, is technically and tactically proficient, shares what he learns, keeps everyone informed, reads and has a hobby. Chapter Eight Proficiency

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Unconvincing
Comment: Slow, unconvincing, self-congratulatory, not recommended. There. All my thoughts on this book in five words.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Mind-stimulating
Comment: I have two things to say about this book: On the minus side, the book felt like talking to an old soldier about "how they did things back then (at the academy)" and "how corrupt civilians are" (sigh!). On the plus side (and this one weights heavier in my opinion)while the "lessons" in the book are not 100% applicable to the "real world"(!), they are really mind stimulating in the sense that they challange you to look at leadership in a very different, innovative way. So, if you don't mind a grumpy old man :), I strongly suggest you read this book. There is a great chance that you will end up with some new ideas that may not be even in the book.

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