By, Joseph Jaworski, Berrett-Koehler Publishers,
Reviewed by James D. Keyes,
The question of what makes a good leader is answered in the introduction section of the book. In fact, this profound snippet appears in the third paragraph. "The potential of hierarchy to corrupt would be dissolved if leaders chose to serve those they led - if they saw their fundamental reason for being, as true service." Undoubtedly, if everyone in a leadership role were to follow this advice the entire world would be a better place.
Synchronicity is the documentation of Joseph Jaworski's efforts to develop a curriculum to cultivate leaders known as the American Leadership Forum. He began his career in an international law firm, but soon became enamored with the idea of nurturing future leaders of business, politics, and society in general.
His quest to raise the necessary funding, recruit world renowned experts, and pull together an effective program of study took him back and forth across the world. The book becomes a little too personal as Mr. Jaworski recounts his relationship with his father, his divorce, and his subsequent remarriage.
The most powerful part of the book is the description of the ultimate aim of the servant leader. "The servant leader's quest is to find the resources of character to meet his or her destiny - to find the wisdom and power to serve others."
He uses the story of the hero with a thousand faces. The hero (we the potential leaders) receives a call to adventure that comes in many ways both subtle and explicit over the years. It is the call to service, of giving our life over to something larger than ourselves, the call to become what we were meant to become - the call to achieve our vital design.
On the journey, inevitably, we will meet with one or more supreme ordeals. These are the tests of our commitment to the direction we have taken, and they provide opportunities to learn from failure. If we are truly committed, there exists beyond ourselves and our conscious will a powerful force that helps us along the way and nurtures our growth and transformation.
Eventually we return, possibly to only prepare to venture forth once more. Finally, we return as a potent new being, prepared to go forth in the service of the community.
Synchronicity identified several attributes of an effective leader:
· Leaders serve those they lead.
· Leaders create circumstances.
· Leaders serve with compassion and heart.
· Leaders get past their material desires to achieve higher needs.
· Listening is one of the greatest capacities of a leader.
· Everything in the universe affects everything else because they are all part of the unbroken whole.
· We all have capabilities within that we do not recognize.
· When people sit in dialogue, they exercise leadership as a team.
Summation
This book is not a great read. It does contain many good points and ideas of effective leadership. It does, however, ramble somewhat as Mr. Jaworski describes his efforts to create the American Leadership Foundation. He delves too much into his personal life, and focuses on issues that are not crucial to his quest.
If nothing else, this book does capture the ultimate principle of an effectual leader. A leader serves those he leads.