Sure, I write a lot about Abraham Lincoln these days, but for more than thirty years I was a practicing scientist. One area of sciences that was severely lacking was leadership. I’m lucky enough to be related to an expert on leadership in the sciences, and he has a new book out that I want to highlight for all my science colleagues.
Leadership Practices for Healthy Lands by Don Kent, Ph.D. is the book I wish many of my colleagues had available during my career. As the title suggests, this book is a practical manual for how to ensure good decision-making that applies to, but goes beyond, the idea of healthy lands – lands that retain their inherent hydrological, geological, biological, and chemical functions. This is a book about leadership; what it is, how to develop it, how to execute it, and how to refine it to succeed in the management of groups and organizations. The work applies to retaining, or reclaiming, healthy lands, but also would apply to other scientific efforts, and even to other significant business management endeavors.
The book is incredibly well-written and comprehensive. It’s clear that significant research and experience went into its making. Readers will find background on leadership theory, discovering your purpose, and embracing change, but also practical guidance on how to build trust, promote change, and focus on the benefits of shared vision. In essence, this a master course on leadership.
Don knows a thing or ten about leadership. He was President and CEO of the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, was the Chief Strategy Officer and Director at NatureServe, a Natural Heritage Administrator for the State of New Hampshire, and a long time Executive Director of nonprofit institutions, not to mention technical consultancies and Walt Disney’s Imagineering group. He’s considered a leader in wetlands and land management, having consulted and taught clients worldwide. His earlier book, Applied Wetlands Science and Technology, to which I was privileged to contribute a chapter, was such a huge bestseller that the publisher asked him to expand and update it for a second edition.
I encourage all my science colleagues to check out Leadership Practices for Healthy Lands. You can learn more about the book and the author on his website at HealthyLands.Org.
David J. Kent is an avid science traveler and the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.
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Ironically timely, considering a recent remark I made about how lack of genuine leadership holds back the progress of so much good science, as well as just good ideas in general. Glad to see it’s actually considered worthy of such attention.
Doing a little background, I’m impressed by a number of articles I came across regarding motivation and empowerment, especially with regard to learning. That’s the kind of win-win leadership we need!
Leadership is a problem in most areas, but I found lack of leadership in science to be a major hindrance to getting things done. When it comes to big issues like keeping our lands (and seas) healthy, climate change, etc., it’s critical not only to lead the organization but to encourage public sentiment. Lincoln would have appreciated that part.
What I liked up this book was it was a practical manual, not just a theoretical exercise. Even leaders need to be led down the right path.