Review of “Leadership Anatomy: Deconstruct Theories for Victory” by Satpreet Singh

Score: 96/100 (9.6 out of 10)

If you don't already know, a 9.6/10 is the highest score we've ever given a book of any kind. Well, this phenomenal book and this extraordinary author definitely deserve that high honor!

Leadership Anatomy: Deconstruct Theories for Victory is an absolutely phenomenal, ambitious, comprehensive, and enlightening book by Satpreet Singh!

While focusing on the topic of leadership, particularly in regards to business, this book crosses several other genres including self-help, reference, sociology, economics, history, and even psychology! This is truly an exhaustive, encyclopedic look at all facets of leadership, looking at the topic from every angle—from every nook and cranny!

And, we have to say, it was both a pleasure and an honor to read!

Where do we even begin?

Well, the author chooses to literally start from the beginning, using example from history: from ancient times and antiquity. Ultimately, since human beings have started forming group, we have always needed leaders. It's natural for a group to have a leader (or leaders), whether they be a chief, a lord, a king, a CEO, or a president. Groups of people are naturally inclined toward having someone who is large and in charge.

And there are various good examples and bad examples of leaders throughout history. There are good leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the father of the Sikh Empire in Punjab. It's incredible how the author was able to educate us about various great leaders from the part of the world that he grew up in, something which is less familiar to a western/American audience. We weren't perturbed by this at all. In fact, we welcomed it! We were impressed by all of these great leadership examples that we'd never heard of beforehand.

For example, the author was able to talk about Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, a Sikh leader who embodied the cardinal trait of empathy. The author is then able to switch immediately back to a more familiar figure like Martin Luther King Jr. and how he embodied another cardinal trait: vision.

The author is also able to talk about someone like Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, who helped to lead Punjab through a period of division and turmoil, as an example of both a charismatic figure and as an example of the laissez-faire leadership style, one of the many leadership styles that Satpreet Singh discussed.

Some of those leadership styles include autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, and transformational.

You would think that one of these leadership styles would be superior to the others, however, that's not true 100% of the time. In a time of crisis, war, or during an emergency when quick, decisive decision-making is paramount, the often-vilified autocratic style might actually be best.

However, under autocrats, people can be afraid to share new ideas and thus innovate. It can also lead to abuses of power like with the many genocidal tyrants throughout history.

Often times, a laissez-faire approach can be preferable as it nurtures a sense of freedom, autonomy, and involvement while also encouraging creativity and innovation. However, along with the democratic style, it can be slower and can even become chaotic.

The transformational leadership style is something that really intrigued us, as it was probably the one we knew the least about. A transformational leader is usually someone with great charisma who can compel or convince people to change their way of thinking and acting, toward shared visions and values. Jesus might be an example of a transformational leader as the founder of a new religion.

You heard us briefly talk about cardinal leadership traits with regards to Martin Luther King Jr. and Bhai Kanhaiya Ji. Well, there are different levels and kinds of leadership traits that the author discusses as part of “Trait Theory” including cardinal traits, central traits, and secondary traits.

Trait Theory is one of many leadership theories that the author explores and deconstructs throughout the book, alongside things like the Great Man Theory, Contingency Theory, Behavioral Leadership Theory, Vroom Decision-Making Theory, and more.

What's great is that the author doesn't present any of these theories as 100% factual or 100% true 100% of the time. However, he still gives them their day in the sun and provides the information for you to read and analyze yourself. The Great Man Theory, for example, is extremely interesting and fascinating. A part of you wants to believe it. It can be inspiring to think that you could be one of those great men who, someday, could remembered for changing or shaping history. However, what about the women? And what about the billions of middle-class and working-class people working nine to five jobs, making the economy go 'round. Should their bosses and business executives get all the credit? Should a president or general get all the credit for winning a war when their soldiers poured their literal blood, sweat, and tears into fighting it?

When you think about it like that, even a great theory like the Great Man Theory can come into question.

The author did as good a job as humanly possible at staying as unbiased as possible.

There were also many other fascinating topics discussed in this book like nature versus nurture, emotional intelligence, adaptability, nurturing a growth mindset (instead of a fixed one), strengthening your vision and strategic thinking, encouraging innovation, empowering people, and gaining/building trust.

These aren't just things that can help you in leadership or business, these are things that can help you in your everyday life!

Check it out on Amazon!