Stand Your Ground: Building Honorable Leaders the West Point Way / Edition 1

by Evan H. Offstein

Overview

West Point is the ideal laboratory for studying the dynamics of character, honor, and leadership: first, it operates a comprehensive honor education and enforcement program that has been subjected to rigorous Congressional scrutiny; second, it builds all of its academic, athletic, and military programs on this bedrock of honor. As a result, West Point invests heavily in mentoring, training, and evaluation to ensure the leadership and character development of its 4,000 cadets. From Civil War General Robert E. Lee to astronaut Edwin E. Buzz Aldrin to basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, West Point has groomed leaders whose contributions far exceed the successful management of their immediate charges. By illuminating the principles by which West Point teaches leadership, Stand Your Ground not only provides a unique tour behind the scenes at this revered institution, but, more generally, imparts lessons of honor and character-building that can be adopted by any aspiring leader.

Management professor and West Point graduate Evan Offstein approached leaders at the U.S. Military Academy and the Department of the Army with two primary questions: (1) How does West Point develop its leaders?; (2) Can other individuals and organizations apply these methods effectively? Two years later, after conducting extensive on-site research at West Point and with business leaders in a variety of industries, he offers unprecedented access to the process of leadership development at West Point, and practical insights that can, indeed, be applied in any type of organization that strives to operate on the principle of integrity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275991432
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/30/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Evan H. Offstein is Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at Frostburg State University. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a former military intelligence officer, he also served as an Instructor in the Department of Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He has published articles on leadership, management, and corporate competitiveness in such jourbanals as Business Communication Quarterly, the Jourbanal of Managerial Psychology, the Jourbanal of Engineering and Technology Management and Human Resource Management Review.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: The Benchmark
Secure the High Ground
Wash Away the Gray
Be Big about Small Things
Go All In!
Who's Got Your Back?
Imagine That
Views from the Top
Appendix 1: Research Methodology
Appendix 2: West Point Fact Sheet
Notes
Index

What People are Saying About This

Richard Thornburgh

"Debacles like Enron and WorldCom might not have occurred if senior leadership had followed Evan Offstein's premise of honorable leadership in Stand Your Ground. Indeed, leaders of all ranks in all settings can set themselves apart by following the principles outlined in his book. Drawing heavily on his West Point experiences and insights, the author points the way to the potential to transform not only the way we lead, but the way we live."

—

Richard Thornburgh, Government Affairs Advisor, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, former U.S. Attorney General and Governor of Pennsylvania

Robert M. SmithPresident

"Every university or college hopes its graduates will become leaders within their chosen fields and their communities and, possibly, beyond. However, leadership development is not often a systematic prescribed part of the curriculum. Stand Your Ground is a compelling case for how one of the nation's leading academies has embedded leadership development into its educational fiber. Evan Offstein has provided for our students and the rest of us a pragmatic description of the West Point formula. Here are the essential lessons for everyone who aspires to be a true, ethical, honorable leader."

Jerrold P Allen Major General USAF (Retired) and Commandant Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

"This book gives new meaning to the military axiom that successful leaders must hold the high ground; it convincingly shows both the 'how' and 'why' to the thesis that honor is the key to taking and holding the high ground in every leadership challenge."

Todd A. Uterstaedt President and CEO

"Stand Your Ground is an impressive and well-reasoned book that should be required reading for MBA students, managers, and leaders at all levels. Evan Offstein offers compelling contemporary stories and sound research to provoke every leader to ask the question, 'Am I an honorable leader?' His unique experiences as a Cadet at West Point, decorated Army officer, successful business leader, and now noted academic professor enable him to weave together a rich argument for the conduct of business in accordance with the time-honored traditions of America's premier leadership institution."

Frank Beamer Head Football Coach

"In today's society ethics in leadership is a daily topic. Stand Your Ground consists of real-life examples of how ethics and honor in decision-making and communication have led to leadership success. I encourage anyone in a leadership position to read this book."

Rick Stafford Distinguished Service Professor of Public Policy Heinz School

"This book is plainly written and inspirational. It's full of new insights into leadership that come alive through analogies, anecdotes and metaphors--all useful to evaluating your own leadership. Making Stand Your Ground required reading at our nation's leading business schools would help eliminate Enrons from our future."

John W. GouldOwner

"Stand Your Ground is essential reading not only for every Cadet and their parents but for prospective new Cadets."

Robert M. Smith

"Every university or college hopes its graduates will become leaders within their chosen fields and their communities and, possibly, beyond. However, leadership development is not often a systematic prescribed part of the curriculum. Stand Your Ground is a compelling case for how one of the nation's leading academies has embedded leadership development into its educational fiber. Evan Offstein has provided for our students and the rest of us a pragmatic description of the West Point formula. Here are the essential lessons for everyone who aspires to be a true, ethical, honorable leader."

—

Robert M. Smith, President, Slippery Rock University

Frank BeamerHead Football Coach

"In today's society ethics in leadership is a daily topic. Stand Your Ground consists of real-life examples of how ethics and honor in decision-making and communication have led to leadership success. I encourage anyone in a leadership position to read this book."

Robert J. Maricich President and CEO

"The idea of quantifying honorable leadership is a powerful concept--especially for today's business leaders. Evan Offstein does not promote the usual quick fixes, but skillfully and intellectually describes the foundation and the building blocks of exceptional leadership."

Jerrold P Allen Major General

"This book gives new meaning to the military axiom that successful leaders must hold the high ground; it convincingly shows both the 'how' and 'why' to the thesis that honor is the key to taking and holding the high ground in every leadership challenge."

—

Jerrold P Allen Major General, USAF (Retired) and Commandant, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Rick Stafford

"This book is plainly written and inspirational. It's full of new insights into leadership that come alive through analogies, anecdotes and metaphors--all useful to evaluating your own leadership. Making Stand Your Ground required reading at our nation's leading business schools would help eliminate Enrons from our future."

—

Rick Stafford, Distinguished Service Professor of Public Policy, Heinz School, Carnegie Mellon University

Frank Beamer

"In today's society ethics in leadership is a daily topic. Stand Your Ground consists of real-life examples of how ethics and honor in decision-making and communication have led to leadership success. I encourage anyone in a leadership position to read this book."

Richard Thornburgh Government Affairs Advisor Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP Former U.S

"Debacles like Enron and WorldCom might not have occurred if senior leadership had followed Evan Offstein's premise of honorable leadership in Stand Your Ground. Indeed, leaders of all ranks in all settings can set themselves apart by following the principles outlined in his book. Drawing heavily on his West Point experiences and insights, the author points the way to the potential to transform not only the way we lead, but the way we live."

Robert M. Smith

"Every university or college hopes its graduates will become leaders within their chosen fields and their communities and, possibly, beyond. However, leadership development is not often a systematic prescribed part of the curriculum. Stand Your Ground is a compelling case for how one of the nation's leading academies has embedded leadership development into its educational fiber. Evan Offstein has provided for our students and the rest of us a pragmatic description of the West Point formula. Here are the essential lessons for everyone who aspires to be a true, ethical, honorable leader."

Todd A. Uterstaedt

"Stand Your Ground is an impressive and well-reasoned book that should be required reading for MBA students, managers, and leaders at all levels. Evan Offstein offers compelling contemporary stories and sound research to provoke every leader to ask the question, 'Am I an honorable leader?' His unique experiences as a Cadet at West Point, decorated Army officer, successful business leader, and now noted academic professor enable him to weave together a rich argument for the conduct of business in accordance with the time-honored traditions of America's premier leadership institution."

John W. Gould

"Stand Your Ground is essential reading not only for every Cadet and their parents but for prospective new Cadets."

Jerrold P Allen Major General

"This book gives new meaning to the military axiom that successful leaders must hold the high ground; it convincingly shows both the 'how' and 'why' to the thesis that honor is the key to taking and holding the high ground in every leadership challenge."

Robert J. MaricichPresident and CEO

"The idea of quantifying honorable leadership is a powerful concept—especially for today's business leaders. Evan Offstein does not promote the usual quick fixes, but skillfully and intellectually describes the foundation and the building blocks of exceptional leadership."

Richard ThornburghGovernment Affairs AdvisorKirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLPFormer U.S. A

"Debacles like Enron and WorldCom might not have occurred if senior leadership had followed Evan Offstein's premise of honorable leadership in Stand Your Ground. Indeed, leaders of all ranks in all settings can set themselves apart by following the principles outlined in his book. Drawing heavily on his West Point experiences and insights, the author points the way to the potential to transform not only the way we lead, but the way we live."

Rick Stafford

"This book is plainly written and inspirational. It's full of new insights into leadership that come alive through analogies, anecdotes and metaphors—all useful to evaluating your own leadership. Making Stand Your Ground required reading at our nation's leading business schools would help eliminate Enrons from our future."

Richard Thornburgh

"Debacles like Enron and WorldCom might not have occurred if senior leadership had followed Evan Offstein's premise of honorable leadership in Stand Your Ground. Indeed, leaders of all ranks in all settings can set themselves apart by following the principles outlined in his book. Drawing heavily on his West Point experiences and insights, the author points the way to the potential to transform not only the way we lead, but the way we live."

Todd A. Uterstaedt

"Stand Your Ground is an impressive and well-reasoned book that should be required reading for MBA students, managers, and leaders at all levels. Evan Offstein offers compelling contemporary stories and sound research to provoke every leader to ask the question, 'Am I an honorable leader?' His unique experiences as a Cadet at West Point, decorated Army officer, successful business leader, and now noted academic professor enable him to weave together a rich argument for the conduct of business in accordance with the time-honored traditions of America's premier leadership institution."

—

Todd A. Uterstaedt, President and CEO, Baker & Daboll, LLC

John W. Gould Owner

"Stand Your Ground is essential reading not only for every Cadet and their parents but for prospective new Cadets."

Robert J. Maricich

"The idea of quantifying honorable leadership is a powerful concept--especially for today's business leaders. Evan Offstein does not promote the usual quick fixes, but skillfully and intellectually describes the foundation and the building blocks of exceptional leadership."

—

Robert J. Maricich, President and CEO, Century Furniture Industries

Frank Beamer

"In today's society ethics in leadership is a daily topic. Stand Your Ground consists of real-life examples of how ethics and honor in decision-making and communication have led to leadership success. I encourage anyone in a leadership position to read this book."

—

Frank Beamer, Head Football Coach, Virginia Tech

Jeff Leischner

"A must-read for anyone searching for the missing element in leadership today. Evan Offstein accentuates the true essence of successful leadership for any era."

Robert M. Smith President

"Every university or college hopes its graduates will become leaders within their chosen fields and their communities and, possibly, beyond. However, leadership development is not often a systematic prescribed part of the curriculum. Stand Your Ground is a compelling case for how one of the nation's leading academies has embedded leadership development into its educational fiber. Evan Offstein has provided for our students and the rest of us a pragmatic description of the West Point formula. Here are the essential lessons for everyone who aspires to be a true, ethical, honorable leader."

Jeff LeischnerPresident and CEO

"A must-read for anyone searching for the missing element in leadership today. Evan Offstein accentuates the true essence of successful leadership for any era."

Robert J. Maricich

"The idea of quantifying honorable leadership is a powerful concept—especially for today's business leaders. Evan Offstein does not promote the usual quick fixes, but skillfully and intellectually describes the foundation and the building blocks of exceptional leadership."

John W. Gould

"Stand Your Ground is essential reading not only for every Cadet and their parents but for prospective new Cadets."

—

John W. Gould, Owner, dlegal.com, President, Western Pennsylvania West Point Parents Club

Jeff Leischner

"A must-read for anyone searching for the missing element in leadership today. Evan Offstein accentuates the true essence of successful leadership for any era."

—

Jeff Leischner, President and CEO, Thomas & Howard Company, Inc.

Jerrold P Allen Major GeneralUSAF (Retired) and CommandantVirginia Tech Corps of Cadets

"This book gives new meaning to the military axiom that successful leaders must hold the high ground; it convincingly shows both the 'how' and 'why' to the thesis that honor is the key to taking and holding the high ground in every leadership challenge."

Rick StaffordDistinguished Service Professor of Public PolicyHeinz School

"This book is plainly written and inspirational. It's full of new insights into leadership that come alive through analogies, anecdotes and metaphors—all useful to evaluating your own leadership. Making Stand Your Ground required reading at our nation's leading business schools would help eliminate Enrons from our future."

Todd A. UterstaedtPresident and CEO

"Stand Your Ground is an impressive and well-reasoned book that should be required reading for MBA students, managers, and leaders at all levels. Evan Offstein offers compelling contemporary stories and sound research to provoke every leader to ask the question, 'Am I an honorable leader?' His unique experiences as a Cadet at West Point, decorated Army officer, successful business leader, and now noted academic professor enable him to weave together a rich argument for the conduct of business in accordance with the time-honored traditions of America's premier leadership institution."

Jeff Leischner President and CEO

"A must-read for anyone searching for the missing element in leadership today. Evan Offstein accentuates the true essence of successful leadership for any era."

Editorial Reviews

Drawing on research he conducted at the United States Military Academy at West Point and with business leaders in a variety of industries, Offstein gives access to the process of leadership development at West Point and offers insights that can be applied in any type of organization that strives to operate on the principle of integrity.” —Reference & Research Book News

“[O]ne of the most relevant and applicable responses to recent leadership breakdowns at such places as Enron, WorldCom, Adelphia, and Abu Ghraib. . . . Stand Your Ground delivers a message that began with our founding fathers, but which has been silenced in the last several years. In Stand Your Ground, Offstein provides compelling evidence that true leadership is first built on honor and that future leadership lapses well chronicled in the recent episodes occurring at Enron, WorldCom, Adelphia, and GlobalCrossing, could never again occur if West Point's model of honorable leadership development is followed. Given the almost limitless amount of leadership books that offer hollow promises and which have accomplished little to improve our current state of leadership, Offstein's Stand Your Ground stands apart as one of the choice few books capable of transforming leaders at all levels and across organizations.” —PR Newswire US

“This book is an excellent description of what an honorable leader should look like and how to get there. . . . It is recommended for any one who hopes to be an honorable leader, not one who looks only at the bottom line and is filled with greed.” —Catholic Library World

From the Publisher