NAMA

: MOHD. FARIDZ B. MOHD. RADZI

NO. KAD PENGENALAN : 810128.14.5159

NO. BADAN (SKMI)

: 42

NO. KUMPULAN

: 09

TARIKH

: 29 JULAI 2009

ACADEMIC BOOK REVIEW 01

THE SOURCE OF LEADERSHIP: EIGHT DRIVERS OF THE HIGH IMPACT
LEADER DAVID M. TRAVERSI

The Source of Leadership: Eight Drivers of The High Impact Leader by David M.
Traversi explains the essentials of effective leadership. The book studies the very
core of the classical leadership traits and functions and the connection and role of
each of the personal drivers. The book can also be perceived as the manual or
instruction to become an effective high-impact leader.
The author, David M. Traversi knows its subject matter well. Having served leaders of
multiple corporations as an advisor and also a financier to some, the author gets the
privilege to know those leaders he served at a personal level. The author believes
that nothing occurs in isolation, in relation to this book, the author tries to transform
our deep personal energies into extraordinary interpersonal results. It point out in
detail the how which seems to be missing in the leadership development.
In general, the book targets leaders and those aspired to lead. I would suggest it to
anyone for that everyone is a leader in their special way.
The author explained his objective within the context that revolves around the classic
character traits and functions of a leader. The author uses an illustration called the
Leadership Dashboard to signify the authors view on various aspects of leadership.
The content was arranged with regard of the development of vital qualities or
personal drivers acquired to become what the author called a high-impact leader.
The author has identified eight of them which are presence, openness, clarity,
intention, personal responsibility, intuition, creativity and connected communication.
These personal energies are the main core of the book and the key to effective
leadership.
The author started every chapter with detailed explanation on the personal drivers
definition, its purpose, how it will serve the leaders, how to attain such quality (with
step by step guide) followed by a case study and finally, the Leadership Dashboard;
a revolutionary tool for displaying leadership effectiveness in which towards the end
of each chapter, the Leadership Dashboard will display the significance of a particular

personal driver and its context with the classical leadership traits and functions by
means of percentile. Perhaps, it is the most convenient tool I have ever come across
in such writing!
In general, the author provided detailed description of the subject matter with
adequate explanation and analysis. My personal favourite would be the case study.
The author among others, have highlighted the story of Martin Luther King Jr. and
Vern Raburn to exhibit a particular personal driver those great leaders have in
relation to the discussed topic.
The author accurately explains his argument in a logic sense, often taking in example
from people he personally knows and his personal experience. However, the author
does rely on grey concept such as karma in which I think a bit off as in the 1st.
Chapter: Presence. The author also uses metaphoric description such as the trailing
long bag and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It provides better understanding and
alternate perspective of ways we view an issue.
There are many method suggested by the author to assist our search of the personal
drivers. Although some method suggested towards achieving those personal drivers
are doubtful and rather subjective (such as meditating towards achieving the state of
presence), it serves the objectives rather well. There are many exercises outlined by
the author with detailed step by step instruction which I think are rather insignificant
and unnecessary.
Upon completing this book, hypothetically the author suggested a perfect outcome to
those who acquires those eight personal drivers (according to the Leadership
Dashboard percentile); fully effective high-impact leader who are also a deeply
content person. In which, I theoretically agree...although that is not always true.
The author through www.thesourceofleadership.com provides some sort of support
system as follow up to his book. The blog contains authors seminar and workshop
activities info, an online community where readers alike can exchange ideas and also
posts on the authors eight personal drivers, eleven traits and eight functions of a
leader and links to other leadership related website and blog.

Indeed, this is a good read. Personally, I think the book is a bit too naive but
somehow its also liberating. It is a perfect read to start off the series of five book
reviews assignment instructed by JPA. Thanks.