In Lead Like Ike, business writer Geoff Loftus looks at the experiences of Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower in his role as Allied commander during World War II, and applies the leadership lessons of D-Day to modern business operations.

Hardcover, 280pp

Thomas Nelson, Inc., June 2010

ISBN-13: ISBN-13: 9781595550859

Barnes & Noble online price: $21.36

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SYNOPSIS

Also, be sure to check out IMT’s interview with author Geoff Loftus.

FROM THE BOOK JACKET
Lead Like Ike takes readers on a riveting adventure through the eyes of the “CEO” who endured one of history’s most pressure-packed tests of leadership.

World War II’s massive Allied advance on the shores of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944, comes to vivid life from the perspective of General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, the supreme Allied commander charged with conducting code-name “Operation Overlord.”

Lead Like Ike analyzes the D-Day invasion as a business operation, zeroing in on Eisenhower’s interactions with:

• His board of directors (Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin and American/British military chiefs);
• His C-level staff (senior commanders like Bradley, Patton and Montgomery);
• Affiliated organizations (exile forces); and
• Stakeholders (military personnel, U.S. and European citizens, victims of Hitler’s atrocities).

Ike’s “company” was sprawling and complex, his “project” fraught with uncertainty. The supply chain stretched thousands of miles. Infrastructure was built on the fly. Clear messages could not always get through. Unpredictable conditions — from bad weather to brutal “competition” — made adaptability essential. Sound familiar?

Examining how Ike inspired his team to face and overcome these challenges, business journalist and communications expert Geoff Loftus blends a compelling historical narrative with keen leadership insight. Incisive case studies and right-where-you-live tactical tips undergird the book’s 10 strategic lessons: Determine Your Mission, Plan for Success, Stay Focused, Prioritize, Plan to Implement, Communicate, Motivate Your People, Manage Your People, Avoid Project Creep and Be Honest.

The atmosphere was electric…and the outcome changed our world forever.