Nothing to Fear: Lessons in Leadership from FDR

In his latest management book, Axelrod (Elizabeth I, CEO; Patton on Leadership; Profiles in Leadership; Everything I Know About Business I Learned from Monopoly) looks at""a revealing model of leadership values, ideas, skills, traits, tactics, and strategies."" It's certainly a timely subject, considering the business and world political climates. Organizing his portrait around 14 themes (including purpose and principle; credibility; change; motivation; and confidence and courage), Axelrod focuses on the language of leadership, using quotes showcasing Roosevelt's""abundant gifts of eloquent self-expression"" to launch chapters on particular (and often redundant) components of leadership. Although the messages themselves are straightforward (e.g., speak the truth; inspire rather than coerce), Axelrod examines them through a scholarly microscope and unfortunately lacks the verbal charisma of his mentor (e.g., he calls the September 11 terror attacks a""rendezvous with destiny""). Still, FDR junkies may want to add this compilation of his business savvy to their collections.