The Radical Leap presents lessons in extreme leadership and a return to fundamental values and respect for others in the wake of recent corporate scandals fueled by a lack of integrity and greed by “hard‐core” type executives who manipulated the system and bent the will of employees to become partners in fraud for personal gain. Taking a hard look at the aftermath of “Enron, Andersen, WorldCom, Imclone, and Tyco” Farber states: “The posers have been exposed; the Extreme Leaders are going to emerge”. The book challenges readers to take part in restoring ethical leadership at all levels of the organization by asking them to answer the question “Who are you and what do you want?”
Lacking academic theories and empirical evidence, this leadership novel effectively employs a light handed “whack on the head” as a wake up call for today's business people. Reading the latest books and mastering the buzzwords does not make one an extreme leader. This is only achieved through making a radical leap, an intensely personal commitment to cultivate love, generate energy, inspire audacity, and provide proof. Not to be confused with human resources speak and soft stuff, specific and actionable guidance is provided for those willing to accept the challenge.
Taking place on the sandy shore of Mission Beach in San Diego, California, Steve Farber, an unwitting professional leadership consultant is taught new tricks by a surfer dude named Edg (pronounced “Edge”). Appearances and perceptions can be deceiving; this message quietly recurs throughout the relaxed and engaging narrative that can quickly be consumed in an afternoon. Steve is searching for answers that will help him empower Janice, a friend and business executive who is dealing with a difficult leadership situation following the abrupt departure of her mentor leaving her in a terse situation pitted against a 51 percent guy devoid of people skills but rich with strategic prowess who always leverages power to get his way. This situation quickly becomes intolerable for Janice, who joined the company believing she could make a difference in the world under the direction of her mentor whom she trusted pursuing the company's vision she espoused. Daily conversations with Edg and his associates helps Steve bring his own motivations and leadership into clearer focus, helping him to step up to the challenge of taking a radical leap by loving what he does and using that love to create an energy that can be harnessed to help others. This authentic and genuine love allows him to be audacious, acting with the courage of his convictions to make a difference, proving it to himself and others through an unwavering commitment. This personal transformation allows him to see the role of leadership more clearly and facilitates his coaching of Janice and the 51 percent guy to do the same. Although the company's business situation is resolved following a radical leap through collaborative leadership dedicated to making a difference in the world, the book has a touching and totally unexpected surprise ending. Rather than spoil the ending by revealing the parting twist of fate in this review, you are encouraged to read The Radical Leap for yourself to see how its lessons can make a difference in your personal leadership calling.
The Radical Leap is relevant for a broad audience as almost everyone will likely take away a pearl of wisdom or two, or three, or four: love, energy, audacity, and proof. Although some readers may have to wade in a few pages to get their feet wet and get acclimated to the surfing analogy; no prior experience is required. The book is structured in seven brief daily explorations of extreme leadership illustrated with poignant and sometimes humorous examples, allowing readers the opportunity for self‐reflection as they consider the fate of those involved in the story. Candid and anchored firmly in reality, Edg advises “Surfing is an extreme sport because the wipeout is part of it. All extreme sports have that in common. And leadership – metaphorically speaking – is an extreme sport, too.” Leadership involves the willingness to take risks. The book concludes with a concise lexicon, “The Radical Leap: A Daily Handbook for Extreme Leaders” that reinforces the key lessons and operationalizes them to allow readers to swim out and catch a wave for the leadership ride of their life as they answer the question “Who are you and what do you want?”
The Radical Leap is a delightful and inspiring book. Take a plunge as the Surf's Up for today's extreme leaders!
