Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

You get history and you get great leadership insights. And it's enjoyable to read. Really cool book.

Over the years I have read and written reviews of numerous books on leadership principles. I recently purchased this wonderful 86 page soft cover book (Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wes Roberts) book for a bargain price on Amazon. I found this volume to be unique in that the author focused on the leadership principles emphasized by one of the most ruthless figures in history, Attila the Hun. The 17 short chapters cover a lot of material, which proves the cliché “good things come in small packages.”This very enlightening book covers the following material: In search of Attila: King of Huns, in the Roman court: leadership qualities, the lust for leadership, leading the charge, peace in camp, the omen of Aquileia, battle dress and armament, the tribute, becoming a Hun, horse holders, booty, the fury of internal battles, Aetius, surviving defeat, Attila and the Pope, the bones of caravans past, ashes to ashes, and selected thoughts of Attila.If you are seeking to learn about the principles of leadership you should check out this book. I found this book a fascinating and informative read.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Pro-Systems Combatives Vol. 1, 2).

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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.

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.

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.

I have read this book several times. And like a rocky and bullwinkle cartoon I clean some important discovery each time I read it. This book is a well written tongue-in-cheek description of Atilla the Huns life. Part History in part fiction this is an exceptional read.

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.

Good value and quality

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.

Don't let the title fool you. Attila didn't write this book, however it's an excellent read.