‘In the digital era, where technology is viewed as the driving force in delivering corporate success, it is easy to overlook that business requires the basics of informed leadership, well-crafted strategy and undiluted human endeavour if it is to survive and thrive.
This concise and entertaining book by Pepyn Dinandt and Richard Westley provides welcome food for thought in providing an important reminder of what it takes to manage and transform business performance in an increasingly complex world.
I have great respect for their down-to-earth approach, which seeks to cut through the noise of business commentary and settles on the fundamentals, which are clearly encapsulated in nine steps.
Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is the fact that the advice and guidance it gives is rooted in the hard-edge, real-life experience of the battlefield and boardroom, where both authors have excelled in their chosen careers.
I hope that those who read this book enjoy the experience, are inspired by the content and use the advice given as a practical guide to strengthening their leadership skillset, broadening their operational mindset and honing their competitive edge.’
— Sir Roger Carr, Chairman, BAE Systems
‘Once in a generation or so, you get to read a book that discusses what you know and deal with every day as a leader but makes you see, understand and then confront your challenges anew. Pepyn Dinandt is that author and Business Leadership Under Fire is that book. Its nine simple steps can be applied by anyone to any organ¬ization. It is essential reading. Read this book to go from the hard shoulder to cruising in the middle lane to warp speed in the fast lane in nine easy lessons.’
— Holger Engelmann, CEO, Webasto SE
‘The stories, lessons and recipes for success offered in Business Leadership Under Fire are drawn from the authors’ hard-won experience, tested on the frontlines of the military and business worlds. Dinandt and Westley’s concise book is inspirational boardroom reading in times of transformational change.’
— Johannes Huth, Head of KKR EMEA
‘No matter what business or industry you are in – or, indeed, your position – transformative change is the order of the day everywhere nowadays. Whatever flavour of challenge faced, those who fail to adapt are destined to be left behind or consigned to the slow lane. Now more than ever, leaders really need to lead as well as inspire confidence, loyalty and motivation from their staff and customers alike. Dinandt and Westley’s pithy but thoughtful new book Business Leadership Under Fire offers a handy guide to leadership excellence along with a checklist of tried-and-tested steps to help almost any manager or leader survive, thrive and be successful. If you only read one business book this year, make sure it is this one.’
— Joanne Bennett, Chief Business Officer, PizzaExpress
The nine-step model to rescue and transform organizations:
Step 1. Burning platform: establishing leadership
Step 2. Analysis and determination of the mission targets
Step 3. Comprehensive evaluation of the environment/theatre of operations
Step 4. Who Dares Wins/strategy and tactics
Step 5. Determining the best course of action
Step 6. Building and managing an excellent leadership team
Step 7. Team and organization structure/maximizing business impact
Step 8. Campaign delivery
Step 9. After-action review