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by Jerry Manas (Nelson Books)
“What is it about Napoleon Bonaparte that has led recognized leaders to study his principles and countless books on management and leadership to quote his maxims? How did such a renowned military genius, who rose from obscurity to rule all of Western Europe, fall so quickly and suffer such defeat? Most importantly, what lessons can today’s leaders and project managers learn from Napoleon’s successes and failures?”
These are good questions, and ones that Jerry Manas sets out to answer in his engaging new book: "Napoleon on Project Management". He points out that Napoleon not only successfully led more than fifty military campaigns, but he also led hundreds of development and rebuilding efforts throughout Europe. “And he succeeded by using sound principles and techniques that are as applicable today as they were then.”
Manas begins by examining Napoleon’s rise to power, drawing lessons from his hard work, exhaustive diplomacy, battle preparations, strategies and motivation techniques. He then explores in depth the six winning principles that catapulted Napoleon to glory: exactitude, speed, flexibility, simplicity, character, and moral force. Manas argues these principles are universally applicable to anyone who leads projects.
No study of Napoleon would be complete without also studying his downfall and Manas accepts the challenge, drawing four critical warning signs which can undermine our ability to stay on target with the six winning principles.
Douglas James Allan, President of the Napoleonic Society of America, makes the case for reading “Napoleon on Project Management” as well as anybody in his Foreword: “Those who have studied Napoleon’s career are usually left in awe of the sheer brilliance, work ethic, and tenacity of the man. No doubt there are many lessons to be learned. But how do we apply them to modern-day project management? Jerry Manas has made a careful study of Napoleon’s career, learned those lessons, and, in engaging style combines history and business in this unique work.”
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