While "Leadership Without Easy Answers" explains bit by bit the perils of adaptive change and the importance of orchestrating the conflict, giving the work back, managing appropriate pace and keeping the holding environment, it gives only a quick (not quite sufficient) glance at getting on the balcony, finding partners and distinguishing allies from confidants.
The first six chapters of the "Leadership on the Line" are purposed to complete the framework.
Chapters seven to nine is a highly practical cookbook: how to take the heat and hold steadily, how to manage your hungers and keep sanity, how to deal with sexual and intimacy issues, how to distinguish role from self.
The final, very provocative chapters are philosophical and spiritual. Poignantly, they raise a question: what is this all for? Devote a thought to love, innocence, curiosity and compassion -- the virtues of an open heart.
Before reading this book, I knew leadership is hard, but I never realize leaderhip is dangerous, and that's the most valuable lesson for me. The authors used quite many political examples to show why leadership is dangerous and in what aspects. At the end, the authors also provide some solution to address the danger. I agree some criticism that the solution is somehow vague and not thorough, but I think I can figure out the solution myself because now I've known what issue to handle.
I recommend this book to new leaders and leaders within a very political environment.
