Official Review: Violent Leadership by Wesley Middleton

Post by **kandscreeley** » 21 Sep 2018, 09:06

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Violent Leadership" by Wesley Middleton.]

3 out of 4 stars

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When I use the term "violent leadership" what comes to your mind? Hitler, perhaps? Nero? Some angry CEO trying to take what they want by force? Let me enlighten you as to what it actually means. "...it [violent leadership] refers to a distinctive type of leadership that is passionate, innovate, and disruptive and above all takes things by force. It does not refer to fighting, anger, or brutality. It is a positive energetic pursuit of purpose and success."

Wesley Middleton is a CPA and an entrepreneur. He's had success and failure, and he wants us to learn from his mistakes. In Violent Leadership, he shows us how to be a violent leader and take the business world by storm. Not only does he discuss his personal successes and failures, but he shows the reader how to become successful as well.

The book is divided into nine chapters. First, he defines violent leadership and gives us the components of a violent leader. He also discusses assigning your employees to the correct roles in the business. He even covers how to create a cool culture in your business (think Google.) Finally, he discusses the millennial generation, telling the reader more about the kind of people they are and how to keep them engaged.

There were only a few minor issues I had with the book. The first was that there were random words hyphenated throughout. For example, "manage -able" or "leader -ship." This was not overly distracting, but it was a bit irritating. Secondly, I did encounter some repetition. For the most part, I chalk this up to the author wanting to reiterate the important points. However, there was one specific instance where a whole sentence was repeated word for word. A good editor could clean this up very easily.

Having said that, there is a great deal of information that would be highly useful to anyone in the business world whether an employee or management or anywhere in between. Specifically, I most appreciated Mr. Middleton's analogy of being either a thermostat or a thermometer. Are you setting the temperature for your business? Or are you allowing others to set the temperature and just going with the flow? Plus, as a xennial myself (that generation that's just on the cusp of being a millennial), the information regarding millennials is crucial in figuring out how to work with this group.

Overall, I rate Violent Leadership 3 out of 4 stars. The editing keeps me from giving this one a perfect rating, but I highly recommend this if you own your own business or even if you aren't quite satisfied with your life in the business world. I will say that there are brief mentions of Jesus and Christianity. However, this is in no way the overall message of the book. In addition, any time it's mentioned, it is merely in a passing thought. You do not have to be a Christian to read these words of wisdom.

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Violent Leadership
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inaramid · Post by **inaramid** » 22 Sep 2018, 04:31

The use of the word "violent" is certainly provocative. I was thinking of "aggressive," but it might have worse connotations. I like the word "disruptive" though. The ideas sound interesting enough. I'd be interested in a future (edited) edition. Thanks for this review!

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 22 Sep 2018, 09:30

The title does give a different connotation but I do like the premise of this book. Great review!

Allyseria · Post by **Allyseria** » 22 Sep 2018, 13:24

Thank you for your review! I took business management so leadership books are something that I take an interest in. I like that he talks about violent leadership as in a positive energetic pursuit of purpose and success.

Alicia09 · Post by **Alicia09** » 22 Sep 2018, 21:24

I find it interesting that the author gave advice on how to deal with millennial's. As a millennial, I really wish the author wouldn't stereotype us into one group because we are not all the same. For instance, I have a very strong work ethic and I enjoy talking to people of all ages. Yet other millennial's I know have a lazy, entitled mentality that ruins everything they try to do professionally and they only talk to other millennial's. We are not all the same, people.

I'm also surprised the author even mentioned millennial's in the workplace, because of all the age groups, we have the highest rates of unemployment despite the fact that many of us have masters degrees and even PhD's! I guess I can say, thanks for assuming we all have full time jobs with decent pay?

With that said, I do appreciate the energetic nature of this book. I think that the term "violent leadership" can certainly be misleading to the average reader at first, but as they delve into the details of what "violent leadership" is, the idea of "violent leadership" can certainly be an idea that everyone benefits from.

Jackie Holycross · Post by **Jackie Holycross** » 22 Sep 2018, 22:21

I've been reading a lot about business lately. This sounds like a good resource.

gen_g · Post by **gen_g** » 23 Sep 2018, 04:51

This definitely sounds like a great reference for aspiring entrepreneurs. Thanks for the review!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2018, 10:52

inaramid wrote: ↑22 Sep 2018, 04:31 The use of the word "violent" is certainly provocative. I was thinking of "aggressive," but it might have worse connotations. I like the word "disruptive" though. The ideas sound interesting enough. I'd be interested in a future (edited) edition. Thanks for this review!

It definitely has some really good ideas. Thanks for commenting.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2018, 10:54

Cecilia_L wrote: ↑22 Sep 2018, 09:30 The title does give a different connotation but I do like the premise of this book. Great review!

Thanks. It has great ideas for leadership.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2018, 10:55

Allyseria wrote: ↑22 Sep 2018, 13:24 Thank you for your review! I took business management so leadership books are something that I take an interest in. I like that he talks about violent leadership as in a positive energetic pursuit of purpose and success.

Yes. It's a bit of a different approach, but it makes so much sense.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2018, 11:28

Alicia09 wrote: ↑22 Sep 2018, 21:24 I find it interesting that the author gave advice on how to deal with millennial's. As a millennial, I really wish the author wouldn't stereotype us into one group because we are not all the same. For instance, I have a very strong work ethic and I enjoy talking to people of all ages. Yet other millennial's I know have a lazy, entitled mentality that ruins everything they try to do professionally and they only talk to other millennial's. We are not all the same, people.

I'm also surprised the author even mentioned millennial's in the workplace, because of all the age groups, we have the highest rates of unemployment despite the fact that many of us have masters degrees and even PhD's! I guess I can say, thanks for assuming we all have full time jobs with decent pay?

With that said, I do appreciate the energetic nature of this book. I think that the term "violent leadership" can certainly be misleading to the average reader at first, but as they delve into the details of what "violent leadership" is, the idea of "violent leadership" can certainly be an idea that everyone benefits from.

I understand where you are coming from about millennials, but there does tend to be some generational qualities they share. Thanks for the comments.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2018, 11:30

teacherjh wrote: ↑22 Sep 2018, 22:21 I've been reading a lot about business lately. This sounds like a good resource.

It is. Thanks!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2018, 11:31

gen_g wrote: ↑23 Sep 2018, 04:51 This definitely sounds like a great reference for aspiring entrepreneurs. Thanks for the review!

Absolutely. It'd be good for anyone in a leadership role. Thanks.

Debjani Ghosh · Post by **Debjani Ghosh** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:35

I was taken aback by the author's explanation of the title. This sounds like a useful resource for anyone in the business world. Thanks for the clear and concise review!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:58

Debjani Ghosh wrote: ↑24 Sep 2018, 10:35 I was taken aback by the author's explanation of the title. This sounds like a useful resource for anyone in the business world. Thanks for the clear and concise review!

It's definitely not what you would think at first glance but very useful! Thanks for commenting.