“This is a seminal and compelling work. Dr. Michael Lindsay, university president and sociologist, gained unprecedented access to hundreds of leaders of America's elite institutions, and reached many unexpected conclusions. For example, it's not a privileged upbringing, but the influence of a caring mentor early in a developing career (as well as grit and opportunity) that launches careers of highly influential leaders. Dr. Lindsay found that the best leaders are not primarily ego-driven, but are able to influence a shared organizational vision and submerge their egos so as to be credible stewards of a greater cause. View From the Top reveals the hidden attributes of those blessed with the platform of leadership—and explores what defines a leader's identity beyond the title on their business card.”
—Rich McClure
President, UniGroup
(United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit)
“Michael Lindsay's View From the Top recounts the experiences of a wide variety of leaders—in both success and failure—to reveal a deeper understanding of leadership: cause-oriented, people-driven, sacrificial, and reflective. Drawing from a variety of fields, Dr. Lindsay draws out some of the common elements of excellence. Anyone interested in the subject of leadership—or interested in exercising it—would benefit from reading View from the Top.”
—Michael Gerson
Columnist, the Washington Post
“This is an informative and inspiring book for any leader, drawing on unprecedented personal access and a keen sense of the dynamics of leaders' institutions and personal lives. It contains both celebrations of the ways power can be used for good, and warnings of how slippery its effects can be on both leader and led. It is an indispensable catalog of stories and insights for those of us who want our use of power to be both effective and redemptive.”
—Andy Crouch
Executive editor, Christianity Today,
and author, Playing God:
Redeeming the Gift of Power