Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun Kindle Edition

An quick read, with a lot of common sense elements. The style leaves a bit to be desired, with a quick hit on the topic written in the third person, and a follow up "speech" by "Attila" to reinforce the point. Touching on historical elements of the Hun invasion of Italy in the 5th Century, and the lessons learned in the campaign, the book is a typical (and decent) leadership tome. Worth the read - but not groundbreaking.

I enjoyed this book when I read it many years ago. I selected this book as a source for junior leader training and discussion. The mixing of historical fact with fictitious campfire chats that convey leadership lessons as a great vehicle to keep students interested. I conducted several rounds of large group sessions with this book and was always very satisified with how the book captured student interest, sparked discussion and emphasized important leadership lessons for junior leaders.

I bought this as required reading for a Wildland Firefighter class. I'm a huge history nerd but knew very little about the Huns. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. In addition to being a great book on leadership principles, I thoroughly enjoyed the history and the different take on Attila himself. It's a very easy read and a short book and I've already recommended it to several friends.

Of course, the title is meant to grab you. If nothing else, this book looks good on your coffee table or in your office bookshelf.As a historically prominent figure, Attila is used to provide a common focus point on which we can all identify. As Roberts explains, "Having no direct relationship to familiar headlines and events in this day, these vignettes provide the reader with an opportunity to visualize his own situation and prepare himself for some aphorisms that relate to the leadership success in any age, society, organization or situation."First, Roberts presents a brief overview of the pertinent life events in Attila's life. Second, Roberts has to humanize the barbarian that is crystallized in our collective memories as the pillaging and murdering "scourge of the earth" who habitually disregarded humanity. How can a brutal savage who left death in his wake be transformed to a respected visionary and cunning supervisor? Well, far from presenting Attila as a charismatic leader who was born to be a savior, Roberts presents Attila as a man whose successes and tribulations forged his passion to be a leader. Then, the conceptual base for leadership is melded with the common rhetoric associated with all the other leading thinkers of organizational leadership. The preponderance of the book uses "Hun" experiences to describe cliché leadership qualities such as loyalty, courage, desire, emotional stamina, physical stamina, decisiveness, anticipation, empathy, credibility, etc. As such, his use of Attila the Hun simply provides a fresh perspective of antique concepts. For example, at one point, Roberts states "Pertinacity is often the key to achieving difficult assignments or meeting difficult goals" Is this new? The book is hardly groundbreaking, but is interesting, especially if the life and times of Attila the Hun are new to you.One aspect of the book I did like was the introspective aspect of preparing to lead. Attila was apparently an outspoken critic of the established administration. When his opportunity came, he had already formulated a resolve and vision to lead. Roberts separates self-examination and personal resolve characteristics, such as willingness and commitment, from behavioral traits and competence (wisdom, courage, diligence). To many leaders, climbing the corporate ladder represents the fulfillment of extrinsic rewards such as higher pay and more prestige. However, this promotes false pride and the tendency to shirk responsibility. Therefore, Roberts advocates introspection and self-examination for the "lust," "passion" and "vision" of leadership prior to accepting the promotion. The basic lesson is that, to be a leader, "you have to want to be in charge." He probably won't earn a patent for that intellectual concept.

Years ago, Alka-Seltzer ran a TV commercial where the actor told the camera that someone kept telling him, "Try it, you'll like it." The actor ended up saying, "I did. Thought I was gonna die." A colleague kept telling me how great this book was to the point of purchase. Like the actor, my enthusiasm for the product made me want to reach for a bromide, but that couldn't help.Author Wes Roberts had the clever idea of using Attila the Hun as his way of proposing his secrets of leadership, hence the title, "Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun." It's a formula that worked very well for my colleague but it left me wanting the author to skip the history lesson of Attila at the start of each chapter and get to the point. I felt trampled on by the hooves of simile and overrun on the plains of metaphor.We are also prone to believe what we learn the first time and challenge what we hear after, if it contradicts the original belief. While the author makes it clear that Attila was the "Scourge of God" it was hard to read him as an intelligent, wise sage, sitting by the camp fire solving the Delphic Oracle of Leadership even though the author makes it clear he didn't. I just couldn't see Attila as one righteous dude. (Couldn't Roberts have used El Cid)?The book is divided into 16 short chapters on various topics of leadership such as "Attila and the Pope: The Art of Negotiation" or "The Bones of Caravans Past; Lesson Learned." This is a novel approach to learning about principles of leadership, but for me it was like having to eat literary liver, while my colleague was slurping up the raw clams dipped in a savory sauce. I feel that books like these should be to the point, not read as a suspense novel or have Flavius Aetius thrown in for good measure. I started to enjoy the history more than the leadership principles.This could be your liver or your raw clams.

The book was quite popular years ago, but not nearly as many years ago as when Attila made his mark on world history. Just like Attila the information presented is not limited by a little time gone by. The author not only teaches indirectly and well on a little know chapter of history, but he makes great application to present day relationships. While the observations are aimed at management style the application to day to day relationships is quite valuable. The narrator does an excellent job of giving life and vitality to the written word. The entire package makes the Attila attitude appropriable and practical.

Good value and quality

A very useful book to which references by the author to modern day management style s and behaviour is well worth the read. Gives an insight into the parallel of management and leadership styles and motivation and the influence of how to develop your people. Highly recommended for new people promoted to management positions.

Great book that sheds anew light on leadership!

An excellent, thought provoking book. Wess Roberts was formerly a member of the US Army Combat Arms Training Board and also an eminent Academic. He uses Attila as a novel and interesting way of getting across points about Leadership. It is primarily a book on Leadership and any references to Attila should be regarded as tenuous. It is definately NOT a historical reference book.All in all a very good 'read'. Some points raised may be considered controversial but they should be considered in a balanced way when looking at the broad issue of leadership.

I first read this book years ago. Attila was a pretty smart guy and a formidable warrior. I believe he was the first leader to advise "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." As a youth he was exchanged for a rival leader's son; both sides had the assurance there would be no attack as long as they each, in essence, a 'hostage'. While Attila was in the enemy encampment he learned all their secrets and when the sons were exchanged later he had all the intelligence about the enemy to pass on to his father and to use himself when he became leader. Pretty smart guy.