BOOK REVIEW
Pat Utomi’s The Art of Leading is a powerful, insightful, and highly relevant guide. It succeeds in being both a philosophical treatise on leadership’s “why” and a practical manual on its “how,” as well as a passionate manifesto for its part in nation-building. The new edition, enriched by reflection and experience, is not just a celebration of a scholar’s milestone but a crucial resource for anyone—whether aspiring or established—devoted to the art and science of effective, ethical leadership
ON the occasion of his 70th birthday, Professor Pat Utomi—renowned Nigerian scholar, political economist, and institution builder—reintroduces a cornerstone of his work: the second edition of The Art of Leading: Open Secrets of Leadership Effectiveness. This refined edition arrives not just as an update but as a timely distillation of a lifetime’s study and practice in leadership, values, and national development.
Utomi writes from a distinctive perspective, combining academic rigour as a professor of political economy and management with the practical wisdom of founding the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL). The core question of The Art of Leading is both urgent and timeless: How does one practise effective, ethical leadership in today’s complex world? The author suggests that while leadership remains essential, it is also a craft that can be learned and improved.
The book’s strength lies in its synthesis. Utomi seamlessly links established leadership theory with the real-world challenges of Nigeria and the wider world, while grounding his framework in values-based leadership. His definition of leadership is both poetic and pragmatic: “the exercise of goal-directed influence… such that the cooperation which results in attaining that which we thought impossible crystallises.”
Structure & Key Insights
While deceptively concise, the book is structured into nine rich sections that move seamlessly from theory to application:
- The Leadership Challenge
- Models and Styles of Leadership – Introducing five core models for the modern era.
- Leading With Purpose
- Attributes of Leadership – Detailing nine essential characteristics.
- Champions of Strategy
- Leadership and Nation Building – A heartfelt exploration of Utomi’s enduring passion.
- Leadership Role Models – Profiles of figures like Dr. Christopher Kolade, Rev. Sam Adeyemi, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Nelson Mandela.
- Social Intelligence and Leadership – A critical section covering Emotional Intelligence (EQ), character, groupthink, and the social cost of toxicity.
- Finding The Grit for Knotty Challenges – A new, must-read finale for this edition on perseverance.
A Personal Anchor in Lived Experience
One of the book’s most compelling passages reveals the personal motivation behind Utomi’s emphasis on character and social intelligence. He recalls a touching encounter with a highly intelligent former classmate, whose potential was suppressed by systemic stratification and protocol. This moment of observed injustice ignited Utomi’s deep curiosity about “the phenomenon of character, intelligence, emotional capacity, and differential leadership capacity.” It is this combination of intellectual inquiry and empathetic observation that lends the book its authentic resonance.
Positioned Among Classics
The Art of Leading confidently takes its place within the canon of essential leadership literature. Utomi engages with and references seminal works, and his book serves as both a complement and a contextualised counterpart to Western classics. For perspective:
- For foundational theory, it aligns with works like “The Leadership Challenge” by Kouzes & Posner.
- On values and authenticity, it echoes the core message of “True North” by Bill George.
- For practical, actionable frameworks, it shares the spirit of “The One Minute Manager” by Blanchard & Johnson.
Verdict
Pat Utomi’s The Art of Leading is a powerful, insightful, and highly relevant guide. It succeeds in being both a philosophical treatise on leadership’s “why” and a practical manual on its “how,” as well as a passionate manifesto for its part in nation-building. The new edition, enriched by reflection and experience, is not just a celebration of a scholar’s milestone but a crucial resource for anyone—whether aspiring or established—devoted to the art and science of effective, ethical leadership.
Rating: An essential and context-rich contribution to global leadership discourse.
Appendix: Referenced Leadership Classics
- Good to Great by Jim Collins – Introduces Level 5 Leadership.
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell – A principle-based leadership primer.
- The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes & Posner – A research-based framework for exemplary leadership.
- The One Minute Manager by Blanchard & Johnson – Simplifies leadership into three core practices.
- True North by Bill George & Peter Sims – Focuses on authentic, value-centred leadership.
Honourable Mentions: How to Win Friends and Influence People (Carnegie), The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey), Dare to Lead (Brown), Leaders Eat Last (Sinek), The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (Lencioni).
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