Book Review: Leading Like Ike by Geoff Loftus
Always thought to be one of America’s premier generals, Dwight D. Eisenhower certainly was a formidable man. From intense logistical planning for the most famous of military days, D-Day, to the constant political maneuvering to appease equally formidable men in their own right, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, Eisenhower is certainly a man that every military leader can learn from. But a great leader and the principles that guide his life should not be confined to just one field.
In his new book, Geoff Loftus asks and answers an interesting question; “What if you overlay Eisenhower’s brilliance within the context of business?” The result is “Leading Like Ike: Ten Business Strategies from the CEO of D-Day” and it is quite an enjoyable read. Loftus works the reader from the early stages of World War II all the way through the culmination of D-Day, applying ten key business principles along the way.
The book proves to be refreshing within the context of similar business books as it engages the reader in a healthy dose of historical narrative and business insight. I would highly recommend the book to anyone with entrepreneurial dreams, as Loftus does a good job of demonstrating how Eisenhower overcame many an obstacle and how his techniques can be replicated in business.
I give this book a positive 4 out of 5 stars. My only complaint is that some of the chapters seem to drag along with too much World War II narrative before finally reaching a business application. Other then that, prepare to be inspired and prepare to learn!
