Kevin Cashman
1 Top Notch
Leadership is a behavior -- not a job title. This book does an excellent job of explaining how and why.
2 For those committed to their own leadership journey
We use this book as a core text with the personal leadership course in our Pepperdine University Doctoral Program in organizational leadership.
Why? It stimulates a journey on becoming a leader of yourself, which we believe is central to sustainably leading others.
I highly recommend it to those committed to engaging in a personal leadership journey.
Vance Caesar, Ph.D.
Leadership Faculty
Pepperdine University
vancecaesar.com
3 A Valuable Personal Resource
Leadership from the Inside Out is a wonderful book about becoming a better leader, not only of an organization but of one's own life.
Cashman covers all the bases, from Being - the innermost core of who we are - to Action, which he talks about as "leading as a whole person." He offers expert guidance, based on more than two decades as a coach to leaders worldwide, on aligning with our core purpose, authentic self-expression, adapting (and giving direction) to change, creating balance in our lives, and building synergistic relationships.
The book is packed with stimulating quotes, questions to foster self-understanding, and meaningful exercises for growth. All this in a well-designed format for easy reading. Highly recommended!
4 review of Leadership From The Inside Out
This book is a classic. It takes readers on the reflective journey that Cashman himself has travelled through his years of coaching national and international leaders. Cashman takes a long-needed fresh perspective on the essence of leadership, parting ways with those who have viewed leadership as a collection of "techniques." He is among the first to gleen that the key to effective leadership is inherent in the leader him or her self. As he points out in this great book, effective leaders are those who come to understand that who they are, and what they value will drive how they uniquely add value. Cashman's definition of leadership is a fascinating one. He posits that "leadership is authentic self expression that adds value." Read the book and you will surely agree!! It's a must read for those grappling with the concept of executive excellence.
5 Leadership from the Inside Out
This is a must read if you are authentic about developing your ability to lead. There are thousands of books that provide canned lists of leadership success formulas. The fact is, life is not that simple. Cashman's books is pragmatically profound. To lead is to engage life. To engage life, you must first understand self...then you can begin to lead.
This is one of the best books read on the subject of leadership and making sustained, constructive impact both personally and organizationally.
6 Nothing original
If you think "learn to master yourself before you master leading others" is a revelation, then this book is for you. Because this book offers advice on how to become a goal driven and ethical leader with a good attitude. If this sounds like something you have heard before in maybe 100 other leadership books and seminars, then you are right. This book offers nothing unique or original. In fact, if you have read lot of leadership books like me, then this book will bore you to death with the "obvious".
7 weLEAD Book Review from the Editor of leadingtoday.org
Some authors approach the subject of leadership from an external perspective. They define leadership as qualities, traits and skills. Other authors approach the subject from an internal perspective. They define leadership as a reflection of what lies inside the heart of the leader. Author and consultant Kevin Cashman uses the later approach with great success and clarity. Leadership From The Inside Out reads like you are having a one-on-one discussion with the author over a fine meal. It speaks to the heart because it defines leadership as a "process, an intimate expression of who we are." Cashman reminds us immediately that "we are the CEO's of our own lives" and we are on an ongoing journey to express and unravel our inner selves to make a positive impact within the world we live.
From beginning to end, Leadership From The Inside Out is intended to be a journey of self-discovery. In the first chapter Cashman begins to explore three essential questions to enhance our leadership effectiveness. He presents these as 1) How authentic are we as a leader? 2) How deep and broad is our self-expression? and 3) How much value are we creating? One of the major goals of the book is to help the reader to connect with their essential character, their central core in order to create effective leadership development. The end result is that the reader learns to no longer define their identity by the mere external results of their life, which are vulnerable, at risk and fragile.
To offer a new perspective on personal growth, Leadership From The Inside Out strategically leads the reader down seven "pathways" to discover the mastery of leadership from within. These pathways are articulated as personal mastery, purpose mastery, change mastery, interpersonal mastery, being mastery, balance mastery and action mastery. Cashman and his associates, LeaderSource, have developed these pathways as the "distilled insights from working with hundreds of leaders". Leadership From The Inside Out also encourages the reader to establish a leadership journal and offers numerous quotations throughout the text to provide additional insight.
This is a book that holds the promise to change you from within! At weLEAD, we have read hundreds of books on the subject of leadership from every possible perspective. However, if you are looking for a book that offers positive insight, encouragement and the real potential to gain a significant leadership transformation, Leadership From The Inside Out is it!
8 Very boring and monotonous
This book is VERY boring. It states the same points over and over again. It is very similar to an infomercial. Spend your money elsewhere - there are many other, much better books out there.
9 It is about both leadership and personal development.
"While reading this book you may think, 'Is this book about leadership, or is it about personal development?' It's about both". Kevin Cashman writes, "As much as we try to separate the leader from the person, the two are totally inseparable. Unfortunately, many people tend to split off the 'act of leadership' from the person. We tend to view leadership as an external event. We see it only as something people do. The view of this book is different. Leadership is not simply something we do. It comes from somewhere inside us. Leadership is a process, an intimate expression of who we are. It is our being in action. Our being, our personhood, says as much about us a leader as the act of leading itself. Paul Walsh, Chairman and CEO of Pillsbury, recently told me, 'The missing link in leadership development is growing the person to grow the leader'. As we grow, so shall we lead...As we learn to master our growth as a person, we will be on the path to mastery of Leadership from the Inside Out" (pp.18-19).
Within this framework, Kevin Cashman identifies seven pathways to mastery of Leadership from the Inside Out. He says that "These pathways to mastery are not stages of development arranged in a sequential or hierarchical order. Rather, they are an ongoing, interrelated growth process in which the pathways constantly are illuminating one another" (pp.28-29).
1. Personal Mastery / Leading Through Authentic Self-Expession: It is the onging commitment to unfolding and authenticaly expressing who we are.
Principles: Take total responsibility, practice personal mastery with others, bring beliefs to conscious awareness, develop awareness of character and persona, listen to feedback, consider finding a coaching process, and be flexible.
2. Purpose Mastery / Leading by Expressing Our Gifts to Create Value: It is the ongoing discovery of how we express our gifts to add life-enriching value to the world.
Principles: Focus on how to make a difference, get in touch with your values, act "on-purpose", be purposeful in all domains, encourage others to find purpose, seek the goal, learn from "failure", and be flexible.
3. Change Mastery / Leading in the Flow: It involves embracing the purposeful learning contained in the unending, creative flow of life.
Principles: Be open to learning, practice present-moment awareness, integrate immediate focus and broad awareness, trust yourself, develop resiliency through mental-emotional stretching, practice the change mastery shifts, and take the leap.
4. Interpersonal Mastery / Leading Through Synergy: It is the dynamic blending of personal power with synergy power to create value and contribution.
Principles: Build relationship bridges, balance personal power with synergy power and contribution power, build awareness of intention-perception gap, personal mastery and interpersonal mastery are intimately connected, become aware of your structure of interpretation, and practice the five touchstones (know yourself, listen, express, appreciate, serve) to authentic leadership.
5. Being Mastery / Leading Through Being: It is connecting with the silence and peace of the innermost depth of one's character to support more dynamism, effectiveness, and contribution.
Principles: Take your own journey into being, resolve life challenges by going to a deeper level, consider learning to mediate, and integrate more reflection into your life.
6. Balance Mastery / Leading by Centering Our Life: It is the dynamic centering of our life to build resilience and to enhance effectiveness and fulfillment.
Principles: Choose wisely, be on-purpose, rest and reflect more, exercise for enjoyment, simplify your life, and loosen up.
7. Action Mastery / Leading as a Whole Person: It is the ongoing commitment to creating value through enhanced authenticity and self-expression.
Principles: Seek the most essential first, approach growth and development as an integrated, lifelong process, take total responsibility, value consistency over intensity, set aside worry, doubts, and negativity, don't just walk the talk, become the talk, and build awareness through inside out journaling.
Finally, Kevin Cashman argues that "Certainly the principal purpose of Leadership from the Inside Out is to give people tools for personal growth and transformation leading to leadership growth and transformation. But its true potential contribution is more than that. Its purpose is more than just helping a bunch of seperate individuals to grow...Growth is fulfilling as it touches and enriches the lives of others" (p.203).
I highly recommend.
10 A great book!
Kevin Cashman, founder and CEO of LeaderSource, an executive coaching firm based in Minneapolis, MN has chronicled his dynamic training perspectives Pathways to Mastery (1998). With a prestigious client list to his credit, Kevin's unique efforts are potent due to their comprehensive focus on cultivating the core of being and potential, the inner self, versus simply developing extraneous skill sets and behavior modifications. As rightly stated on the jacket cover, "..most books on leadership see leadership as only as something we do rather than as an expression of who we are... we learn what to do instead of how to be. This book is different-it gives you self-expression that creates value." Knowing Kevin as I do, informally but over time, I've had occasion to casually chat about spiritual philosophies that we both cherish. I truly believe he has a marvelous gift, the ability to convey these oft-elusive principles in a manner both understandable and practically applicable. If there were one book that hits the nail of self-development and leadership on the head, I'd say this is it
11 A great book!
Kevin Cashman, founder and CEO of LeaderSource, an executive coaching firm based in Minneapolis, MN has chronicled his dynamic training perspectives and insights in a wonderful book, Leadership From The Inside Out: Seven Pathways to Mastery (1998). With a prestigious client list to his credit, Kevin's unique efforts are potent due to their comprehensive focus on cultivating the core of being and potential, the inner self, versus simply developing extraneous skill sets and behavior modifications. As rightly stated on the jacket cover, "..most books on leadership see leadership as only as something we do rather than as an expression of who we are... we learn what to do instead of how to be. This book is different-it gives you practical tools to go to the essence of leadership: authentic self-expression that creates value." Knowing Kevin as I do, informally but over time, I've had occasion to casually chat about spiritual philosophies that we both cherish. I truly believe he has a marvelous gift, the ability to convey these oft-elusive principles in a manner both understandable and practically applicable. If there were one book that hits the nail of self-development and leadership on the head, I'd say this is it.
12 Extraordinary Journey To Personal Growth And True Leadership
Cashman's definition of leadership gets at the very core of personal growth and fulfillment. He adroitly provides a comprehensive, and easily understood road map for individuals who aspire to not just manage people and organizations, but also to inspire them and to assure personal growth and development in the people with whom they work. His pathways to mastery are masterfully articulated and must be read, savored, and reflected upon many times. I read the book three times, outlined it, and bought a copy for every member of my staff. My goal was to create a common understanding and language around leadership, and to inspire each of them to take on leadership roles in many aspects of their work. It is the best transformational treatise I've ever read
13 Articulate in connecting self to leadership success.
Cashman's 7 pathways to mastery encourage leaders to use the power of self to navigate leadership success. A breath of fresh air, "Leadership From the Inside Out" explores the tools needed for leadership now and in the future. Practical through its action commitments in each chapter, this book helps provide new frames of reference for leadership
14 A Masterful Redefinition of Leadership
True leadership begins with keen self-awareness. Leadership from the Inside Out gives us a way to discover who we are and what that implies as we enter leadership roles. Going beyond the typical superficial brushstroke most leadership books provide,this book challenges us to dig deeply into ourselves, examine our motives for wanting to lead,then emerge aware that leadership is a way of life, not only an organizational role. This book is a "must read". Kevin Cashman redefines leadership for the 21st century, giving us new and deeper, understanding.Louellen N. Essex, Ph.D.Author of Fast Forward Leadershi
15 Redefining Leadership for a New Era
Today we face the greatest change in history as we literally create new kinds of human organizing systems for the Information Age. This era will need a new type of leader and a new definition of leadership. Cashman accurately broadened and redefines leadership as "authentic self-expression that creates value." Leadership of the Industrial Age, like all other aspects of this era, has been viewed in a fragmented manner. We have not seen leadership as something that is a natural expression of our inner being. Instead we focus on sets of skills and new habits that we believe we can whitewash over ourselves to become more effective. This worked for the Industrial Age, however, in today's more demanding customer focused environment of expanding free markets these veneer efforts are not enough. As Cashman shows our leadership effectiveness is a direct reflection of our inner growth and this is turn is a direct reflection of how connected we are to our "higher selves." There are many books on leadership and they all serve a function. On a relative scale most are kindergarten and or elementary level "how to" lists of habits or skills intended for managers and CEO's. Leadership from the Inside Out is one of the first advanced leadership books that goes beyond the surface. Everyone must play a leadership role today and this book shows us how to dig deep and do so. If you are ready for substance and if you are looking to make a real difference in the world while winning for yourself I strongly recommend this book.
Barry Carter author of Infinite Wealt
16 Thank you for a new insight on personal growth
After reading Leadership from the Inside Out I was able to strive and maintain my goals and ambitions with a whole new outlook. Thank yo
17 Is there a rating for 6 Stars???
In my search towards trying to answer questions on personal mastery or mastery, I shouldn't look beyond but within myself.
Leadership from the Inside Out is one of the most "eye opener" books I have come across. It questions our being, our purpose and our short stay in this world. If we don't know who we are, how do we lead others to their own respective promise land?
I would have given this book a "6 stars" rating.
Raymund Chua, HR & Best Practices Director, Singapor
18 One of my most meaningful reading experiences
As a professor of leadership, I was impressed with Cashman's ability, credibility, and clarity in articulating what he has come to understand to be the essence of leadership. The great value of his book in my mind is its invitation to readers to begin the experience and process of leadership from within rather than from without, the latter of which has typified our model of leadership for decades. His ability to communicate is powerful and authentic, and his uses of metaphor and story are rich and dynamic. The content of the book is not particularly new, although his treatment of purpose-centeredness and reflection is wonderful and important, yet the way he communicates the content makes it come alive in a meaningful way. I look forward to my students experiencing Leadership From the Inside Out
19 Leadership - Not Just for CEOs Anymore!
I enjoyed reading "Leadership from the Inside Out" and found it very enlightening. I have shared many of the ideas with loved ones and co-workers. As an employee in my first full-time job, I found this book very relevant and not just for CEOs and presidents in traditional management positions. Thank you Kevin Cashman and Leadersource
20 Fantastic!!!!!!
Simply stated, one of the best leadership books, I've ever read! If you don't get this book..you'll be missing out on some of the most "cutting edge" material I've run across. Cashmans understanding of becoming an authentic leader is truly a gift for all. As a career writer myself, I'm not often prompted to write reviews of other works, however this time..this book deserves acknowledgment
21 Best leadership book since "Jesus CEO" and "Leaders"
"Leadership from the Inside Out" is the best book on leadership I've read since "Jesus CEO" (Jones) and "Leaders" (Bennis and Nanus). Cashman has literally written a breath of fresh air, making it clear that if leadership doesn't come from within, and is attempted only from the surface of our being, then it will never be effective.
I enjoyed reading "Leadership from the Inside Out" so much that I ordered two cases for my staff and clients, and told them they would personally regret not reading the book. Today, their feedback echoes my own enthusiasm and excitement for this inspiring work.
Dave Hilbig, president and CEO, OCM Inc.
22 This book is a real mind-opener!
Some books are noteworthy in and of themselves. Others serve as signs that something important is happening in the world. Kevin Cashman's "Leadership from the Inside Out" meets both criteria. Throw in the fact that it is well-designed for reading and for doing the exercises provided throughout, and you have a real mind-opener.
23 A profound insight into the chemistry of a leader.
For those of us whose professions demand an ever increasing capacity to lead, Kevin Cashman provides a taxonomy of leadership that is bound to be a classic. His simple insight: Leadership is authentic self-expression that adds value. Kevin develops this definition with compelling clarity and then provides an achievable process to improve your leadership quotient. Acknowledging that all significant growth comes from self-leadership, Cashman offers true substance in this carefully written book, giving rapid-fire examples that fix the concepts in rich human texture. I have found the greatest value of this book to be a process bywhich, in a world where we tend to define ourselves with external results, we can reclaim our authentic identities and ultimately our lives. I am giving this book to each of our five children.
24 Fantastic! Cashman captures the heart of developing leaders.
I have read literally dozens of books on leadership, from the ancient classics to the modern, and Mr. Cashman has captured the timeless principles of leadership development. This is precisely the type of leadership training book that is absolutely necessary in any truly meaningful effort to develop leaders at all levels. We've got to deal with the heart and the soul in order to grow leaders, and Mr. Cashman's message resonates with a truth and a wisdom I have yet to encounter in all of the leadership literature I have studied. As an Annapolis Graduate and a former Marine Corps Officer, I have developed some understanding and a great deal of appreciation for the work it takes to grow and nurture leaders, and he has captured the heart of this process in this book. Fantastic!
