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Elizabeth I CEO
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Elizabeth I CEO

Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built an Empire

Alan Axelrod
FT Prentice Hall, 2000
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Background
  • Engaging

Recommendation

You may have regarded Queen Elizabeth I of England in many ways – as a ruler, as a dramatic historical figure, as the prototype of a powerful woman – but have you ever thought of her as a corporate manager? Alan Axelrod has. He explains how the Virgin Queen exemplified principles of good business leadership during her reign from 1558 to 1603. He shows how these ideals helped her survive to become queen and how she used them to transform England from a tumultuous country to a powerful empire. Lessons from her rule can show any CEO a few things about leadership in perilous times. The book’s combination of management principles with the drama of Elizabethan history makes for compelling reading. One critical note: the book skips around historically, which muddies the sequence of events. Otherwise, getAbstract recommends this excellent mix of enjoyable historical reading with powerful reminders about the fundamental principles of effective leadership.

Summary

The Executive Monarch

Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England from 1558 to 1603, barely survived to rule, due to power struggles for the throne at a time when England lagged behind other European powers. Yet she had a glorious 46-year reign marked by the expansion of the British empire and the flowering of English culture. She became a great leader by following ten leadership principles.

  1. She knew that a leader’s first requirement is survival.
  2. She created a strong leadership image.
  3. She combined the common touch with the air of leadership.
  4. She created a common cause without becoming a tyrant.
  5. She built a loyal staff, as well as a loyal opposition.
  6. She was able to guide her enterprise’s growth and to crush her competition.
  7. She knew how to turn a crisis into a triumph.
  8. She was able to hold onto power despite challenges to her rule.
  9. She did business without excuses.
  10. She fought to win.

Queen Elizabeth’s long reign shows you how to be a powerful, effective leader. Her actions illustrate how...

About the Author

Alan Axelrod is the author of the bestseller Patton on Leadership and has written many books on management, business and career development, as well as works of military history and historical biography.

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