Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United

It is a modern trend to learn leadership skills on universities around the world. Lecturers try to convey messages about how to lead a group, team, or company, despite the fact that more often than not, they are confined behind desks at faculty rooms. This is a leadership book like no other, since it is written by a 'lecturer' never bounded by desks. Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) is one of the world's most decorated football managers, and his retirement in 2013 ended an illustrious career of trophy-laden journey. Afterwards, he took lecturing duties at Harvard Business School, of which this book, "Leading", is based upon. It is fair to say, therefore, that this is a textbook of leadership. It is a textbook not filled by technical jargons or whatever. Instead, this is SAF telling you almost first hand on important leadership skills, particularly those that he found most pivotal. He divided those skills into tiny, bite-sized parts that are consumable in minutes. Not with theories, instead, he told us readers how he developed those skills while working mainly for Manchester United (1986-2013). It is almost in essence a complement to his two autobiographies, "Managing My Life" and "My Autobiography". However, this book looks even more like a set of life lessons compared to his two autobiographies. The way he organized the book actually makes it easy to read, and makes you also desire to read more—I finish the entire book in less than 10 hours, because I cannot put it down. It has a lot of great insights from the boss himself. Do not be surprised that you may find some stories have been told before in either of his past autobiographies. Nonetheless, this remains a very captivating reading, and for the purpose of Leadership 101, "Leading" has a lot to offer, straight from "the" boss himself.

A very easy read to gain many leadership perspectives and views. Sir Alex is a man who is greatly admired but seen as a somewhat stern and aloof character but he is more a man pursuing a higher level of perfection as each year passed by. It is one of the best leadership books I’ve read and is particularly inspirational.

I thoroughly enjoyed Leading. It is an extension IMHO of a Harvard Business Review article that ran a few years ago. Easy read, great stories. Recommended for all, not just for Man U fans (I am not one!!!). My 5 Stars is based purely on my enjoyment of the book. It was a fun, easy read with great stories of great teams and players from the past and the journeys of some of the new stars. The stories were interesting and compelling and that is what sold me on the book. As far as being revolutionary in new leadership trends, not so much. His leadership style is simple, straightforward and has been addressed in many other texts and magazines. If you are looking to read about football and players and journeys - buy it. If you are looking for a book on leadership, I would search elsewhere. Something old - Maxwell. Something new - Start with Why or Turn the Ship Around.

I'm a Manchester United fan and love Sir Alex an love United so this isn't a unbiased review. I believe I would have liked it anyway.

Well-written and straight to the point. Considering I only bought it as a Manchester United fan, not as a source of any particularly useful information, it's a collection of a whole lot of useful information. But not in an overwhelming way. Also feels a bit motivational, but not in the that's-what-I-paid-for kind of way; more like a real-life illustration that long-term success as a leader is difficult to attain but still attainable. In summary, buy it and read it.

Enjoyed the book, and I say that as an Arsenal fan. Sir Alex was one of a kind. The epilogue was unfortunate - too long and too many strained comparisons between ManU and Sequoia.

I am an Manchester United fan and have followed Sir Alex all his time in MU. In this book he presents his thoughts about the different aspects of his work as a manager. He is not pretending to give general managementadvices. He is simply telling us what has worked for him in MU. He also gives us some interesting insight in why he did what he did in different issues about selling and buying of players. A very interesting book, for MU fans in particular.The epilogue was far less interesting for me.

Some info that will appeal to football supporters especially those Utd fans. However there is a tendency to over emphasise the skillset of Sir Alex Ferguson with that neede by those in industry & other professionals. No doubt Sir Alex has leadership qualities but I believe its an indulgence to compare him to those who require leadership skills for more crucial & lifechanging roles!

Absolutely stunning book with many concepts about leadership and stories of his successful career. Interesting to whom eventually doesn’t like football or even sports. Precise and concise.

The previous books written by Sir Alex have been purely football related, produced whilst he was still actively involved in managing Manchester United, or soon thereafter. He was pragmatic, forthright and seldom minced words. 'Leading' gives insight into how he managed to succeed in life, right from his early days in Glasgow, via Aberdeen and Manchester United to the present day. This book is worth reading for anyone who wants to know how to succeed. It is written in his usual workman-like prose, is easy to understand and, in places is a revelation as to how to adjust ones mindset to get through hard times and beat the odds. Even though this book can be picked up by anyone who wants to succeed in any aspect of life, my own pleasure came from the football related content. It fills the gaps in his Manchester United story that had been left by his previous books. He dealt so differently with players such as Gary Neville and Cantona, recognised exactly how to give a positive boost to each player and knew exactly when to deliver the famous 'hairdryer'. Yet he takes time to explain why losing ones temper is of no practical use, and carrying a grudge should be consigned to the bin. Any time he dressed down a player, he made sure it was forgotten the next day. He sat with young players at lunch time, knew everybody's name, and held every part of the Manchester United family in high esteem. This is what set Alex Ferguson apart. Everyone was part of the winning formula - cleaners to grounds men to star players. Equally he was content to leave a player out of the team to make that very point, even to the possible detriment of a result. The most important piece of information was his sadness at not giving manager's time to create a winning team. 'Leading' is Sir Alex's best book and sets out for posterity what the formula for winning is. Excellent. Glory Glory Man United! #MUFC

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SAF, el gran director técnico del United, narra su experiencia completa como manager, incluyendo datos de su vida personal. Lo importante es que si bien esta escrito en torno a el ambito del futbol, las lecciones puedes interpretarlas y llevarlas a otros ambitos de la vida profesional o personal. Debe ser uno de los mejores libros que pueda leer alguien con hambre de éxito.

Great book by the great man. Sir Alex is a role model for many of us and in this book he has highlighted what makes a great leader along with some excellent tips for being a better leader of men. Stories from his days at Manchester United are especially interesting for United fans.