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Garry Wills, former Henry R. Luce Professor of American Culture and Public Policy at Northwestern University, is the author of more than 15 historical books, 6 of which focus on U.S. presidents. In Certain Trumpets, Wills turns his considerable skills at historical biography toward the issue of leadership.
Although Wills' work does not deal directly with educational leadership, the educational leader can learn much from reading this book. Wills' emphasis on the importance of followers to the leader's success is what makes his book unique among those on leadership.
There are countless books on the topic of leadership that list the skills and habits needed to be an effective leader. As the author points out, "We have long lists of the leader's requisites ...
but
we easily forget the first and all-encompassing need. The leader most needs followers. When those are lacking, the best ideas, the strongest will, the most wonderful smile have no effect."
Leadership, according to Wills, requires three things: a leader, followers, and a shared goal. "The followers do not submit to the person of the leader. They join him or her in pursuit of the goal ... the leader is one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leader and followers."
Therefore, Wills categorizes...