Truly Leading: Lessons in Leadership

Four years after the initial version, Del's book "Truly Leading: Lessons in Leadership" has just been published in the second edition. Del Suggs' new book is an excellent primer for campus leaders. Newly expanded to twenty-five chapters, Suggs covers both the basics and more advanced leadership skills. The chapter titles tell it all: "Leading With Integrity," "Effective Time Management," "The Art of Delegation," "Setting Organizational Goals" and "Conflict Resolution" are all perfect examples of the basic skils that all leaders must master. New chapters include "Leading With Community Service", with plenty of ideas about service projects; "Avoiding Burnout," to help you maintain a balance in your life; "Creating a Sense of Community" with many concepts of community building; and "Improving Your Campus Elections." Plus, a complete update of the chapter "Embracing Technology" with lots of great information about Del's leadership hacks. But Truly Leading goes beyond the basics, and addresses those skills that more advanced leaders need. "How to Inspire Others," "Being a Better Leader," "The Power of Ceremony" and "More Effective Meetings" are aimed at lifting an emerging leader into greater success. Suggs also includes chapters on some very important foundational needs, such as creating a mission statement and some advanced concepts in recruitment. Organizational training needs are addressed in chapters covering both planning and training retreats, along with presenting a full-blown campus leadership conference. "Truly Leading: Lessons in Leadership" is chock full of leadership tips, suggestions, and guidance. It is brisk reading, written in a casual style that reflects the author's personal experiences as a life-long leaders. The foreword was written by Dennis Haskins, perhaps best known as "Mr. Belding" on the hit TV series Saved By the Bell.