Consiglieri - Leading from the Shadows: Why Coming Top Is Sometimes Second Best

(Paperback, Main)

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The key to success lies in getting to the top - right

Wrong. Not everyone can be No. 1, and more importantly, not everyone wants to be.

Consiglieri turns the spotlight on the second-in-commands - the advisers, assistants and counsellors (or 'consiglieri') - who are too often disparaged as the 'No. 2'. Far from being also-rans, these are the crucial vice-presidents, first lieutenants and right-hand men and women whose influence can determine the fate of countries, companies and individual ventures all over the world.

In this timely celebration of the done-down deputy, Richard Hytner (himself a former CEO and now deputy chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi) presents a remarkable array of powerful advisers, from Alastair Campbell and Hillary Clinton to Rasputin, Machiavelli and Peter Mandelson, and talks to outstanding consiglieri in contemporary business, politics, sport and the arts, revealing in the process what motivates these so-called No. 2s, what makes them great and what their bosses can do to help them flourish.

Stylish, clever and entertaining, Consiglieri is packed with invaluable advice for every kind of leader, whether in the limelight or the shadows. It may also be one of the wittiest business books ever.

Reviews

I wish I had read this book -- Gordon Brown
I wish he had read this book -- Tony Blair
Leaders carry a lot of the weight of any organization but good leaders will always have good teams to help carry that load. Richard Hytner has written a fascinating account of the role of the leaders behind the leader and there are lessons in here for every walk of life. -- Alastair Campbell
Films and plays are littered with examples of the nefarious deputy; from Iago to Macbeth to Claudius, to Darth Vader and Scar in 'The Lion King'. Richard Hytner rescues the deputy from the disgruntled schemer and instead celebrates their creative, supportive, positive impact in life, business, sport and even art. -- Rory Kinnear
Rich and intriguing -- John Gray * Guardian *
Hytner has written an interesting book on a management topic that is often neglected. -- Frank Dillon * Irish Times *
Intelligent, entertaining and useful -- Emma Duncan * Times *

Author Bio

Richard Hytner is Deputy Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi. Previously, he was UK CEO & Chairman of Publicis (so he knows wherof he speaks). In 2011, he was appointed (not full but) Adjunct Associate Professor of Marketing at the London Business School.