Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘The Wizard and the Warrior: Leading with Passion and Power’

The fact that this book talks about different styles of leadership and helps you define and identify the types of leaders is what makes it interesting.

Here are two names you’ve likely never heard in the same sentence: Richard Nixon and Mother Teresa. They both did a lot of good—arguably Mother Teresa more than Nixon and perhaps on a smaller stage—but they each had a dark side. I think we all know about Nixon’s dark side. Although a brilliant strategist, he was practically devoured by demons of small-mindedness—paranoia that led to his demise.

Similarly, Mother Teresa was haunted by periods of emotional darkness she had to climb out of.

The Wizard and the Warrior defines four types of leaders:

1. Analysts: Always in search of the right information. They are “Just the facts, ma’am.” They are emotionless leaders.
2. Caregivers: Focusing on the importance of helping and supporting people.
3. Warriors: Living in a zero-sum world of conflicts and scarce resources. They are always building power bases to operate from. They welcome battle and controversy.
4. Wizards: Bringing imagination, creativity, vision, and meaning. They see the possibilities. They encourage others to be creative. They get the most out of their people—more than the three other types of leaders combined.

Let’s first focus on the different types of warriors. You can be visionary, creative, and inspirational while simultaneously being toxic. Hitler, Pol Pot, and Stalin were toxic warriors.

Then there are relentless warriors. They will push hard but still respect the rules of the game. They will still color within the proverbial lines. Bill Gates is an excellent example of a relentless warrior.

Principled warriors are more likely to change the course of history. They will make sacrifices for a worthy cause, and get things done.

Warriors have what the authors call a “warrior heart.” They have passion, courage, and persistence. Joan of Arc and George Paton had warrior hearts.

Wizards, on the other hand, are wise. They recognize the importance of symbols. They encourage strong links between words and deeds. They are often inspirational speakers. They fire up their people with words and then follow through with actions. Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher was a wizard, as was Mary Kay Cosmetics founder Mary Kay Ash, according to the authors.

They write, “Leaders who make a difference regularly combine a warrior’s instinct for combat with the wizard’s imagination and foresight. To combine the two, leaders must have an extraordinary ability to embrace both sides of tensions and polarities others see as unbridgeable opposites.”

This is a fun book, especially if you’re interested in looking at a unique and creative leadership perspective.

Dan Beaulieu is president of D.B. Management Group.

Title: The Wizard and the Warrior: Leading with Passion and Power
Authors: Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal
Publisher: Copyright 2006, Jossey-Bass
Pages: 256
Price: $33