Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Leadership summary
Six Studies in World Strategy
20 mins
Brief summary
'Leadership' by Henry Kissinger examines how leaders approach decision-making and the qualities that make them effective. This book explores historical examples as well as modern challenges to leadership.
Table of Contents
Leadership
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Konrad Adenauer used the strategy of humility to restore order in postwar Germany.
After the end of World War II in Europe, Germany was in a state of disintegration. It had been utterly defeated militarily, it had lost its international legitimacy, and it was divided and occupied by Allied forces who served as the de facto rulers of its four regions. Food shortages starved the population while the infant mortality rate grew to twice that of the rest of Western Europe. Black markets ran amok, mail services stopped entirely, and trains were unpredictable at best.
More than these physical burdens, Germany also carried a heavy moral burden. It needed a leader who could help heal the nation’s wounds, restore dignity and legitimacy, and determine how it would walk forward into the future. In West Germany, that leader would be Konrad Adenauer, the former mayor of Cologne.
Adenauer had been an opponent of Hitler before the war had even begun, and his first public speech after the war was representative of this attitude. Speaking at the University of Cologne, he asked his audience, How is it possible that the Nazis came to power? He proclaimed that Germany needed to come to terms with its past before it could find a way toward a better future. From these words, it was clear that Adenauer’s strategy would be one of humility – of acknowledging and making amends for the past while integrating with the Europe of the future.
To that end, Adenauer approved a $1.5 billion reparations agreement with the Israeli government. He also conducted a series of war crime investigations that were focused primarily on high-ranking former Nazis.
Adenauer knew that Germany could not survive without outside help. It thus needed to abandon its previous nationalistic fervor as well as its tendency to manipulate its geographic position to gain favor, power, and authority. So, during his time as chancellor, Adenauer focused on strengthening his ties with the West, particularly the United States. He also sought reconciliation with France.
And his efforts were a success. In 1955, West Germany became a sovereign state, marking the end of the Allied military occupation of its territory. Two days after this had been declared, Adenauer traveled to Paris, where West Germany then assumed equal status within NATO. The strategy of humility had helped Adenauer’s Germany achieve its goal of equality.
Want to see all full key ideas from Leadership?
Key ideas in Leadership
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Leadership about?
Leadership (2022) is a detailed analysis of six monumental twentieth-century leaders. By examining both the circumstances that formed these leaders and the strategies they used to shepherd their respective nations through periods of turmoil, it presents invaluable lessons for anyone working to shape the world’s future. From Charles de Gaulle’s strategy of will to Anwar Sadat’s strategy of transcendence and beyond, it serves as a historical debriefing on some of the defining leadership strategies of the last century.
Leadership Review
Leadership by Henry Kissinger (2021) is a thought-provoking exploration of the art of leadership and its impact on history. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- With a wealth of first-hand experiences from a renowned diplomat, this book offers unique insights into the complexities of leadership in times of crisis.
- Examining the successes and failures of different leaders throughout history, it provides valuable lessons for individuals in positions of power.
- Through its analytical approach to leadership, this book challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to reconsider their own notions of effective leadership.
Who should read Leadership?
- History and politics geeks
- Aspiring politicians
- Biography lovers
Categories with Leadership
Book summaries like Leadership
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Leadership FAQs
What is the main message of Leadership?
The main message of Leadership is that effective leadership requires a combination of strategy, diplomacy, and vision.
How long does it take to read Leadership?
The reading time for Leadership varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Leadership a good book? Is it worth reading?
Leadership is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of leadership. It offers insightful perspectives and practical advice for aspiring leaders.
Who is the author of Leadership?
The author of Leadership is Henry Kissinger.
What to read after Leadership?
If you're wondering what to read next after Leadership, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
- 5 Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
- World Order by Henry Kissinger
- Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell
- Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff
- The Purposeful Decision Maker by Pádraig Ó Céidigh
- Brag Better by Meredith Fineman
- Principles by Ray Dalio
- Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell