Taking Charge
Start your FREE 30-day trial and get access to thousands of audiobooks, including titles from Nightingale-Conant's legendary catalog.
Try Audible Free →Couldn't load pickup availability
Retired Major General and Columbia University Ph.D. Perry M. Smith draws on 30 years of military leadership — including 180 combat missions over Vietnam — and a decade as CNN's top military analyst to deliver a masterclass in modern organizational leadership. In Taking Charge, he reveals why today's complex organizations demand a fundamentally different kind of leader.
Smith's central insight: those who give away power surround themselves with loyal and powerful supporters. Rather than rigid top-down command, today's leaders must foster flexibility, simplicity, empowerment, and free-flowing communication at all levels. Drawing on lessons from Desert Storm, CNN, and leading corporations worldwide, Smith gives you a practical blueprint for building organizations that thrive.
- Lead with flexibility and strategic innovation rather than rigid top-down command
- Empower people at all organizational levels to make better, faster decisions
- Create structures of simplicity that enable rapid response and clear accountability
- Build communication channels that flow freely both up and down the hierarchy
- Apply battle-tested military leadership principles to corporate and organizational success
What You'll Learn
What You'll Learn
- Lead with flexibility and strategic innovation rather than rigid top-down command
- Empower people at all organizational levels to make better, faster decisions
- Create structures of simplicity that enable rapid response and clear accountability
- Build communication channels that flow freely both up and down the hierarchy
- Apply battle-tested military leadership principles to corporate and organizational success
About the Author
About the Author
Perry M. Smith, Ph.D. is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General with a Ph.D. in International Relations from Columbia University. He flew 180 combat missions, served as Commandant of the National War College, and was CNN's on-air military analyst throughout Operation Desert Storm. Since 1991 he has taught leadership at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and authored seven books including Taking Charge: A Practical Guide for Leaders.
Program Details
Program Details
3 hours 40 minutes. Author-narrated. Part of the Nightingale-Conant Personal Development series. Focuses on five key leadership elements: flexibility, strategic thinking, simplicity, empowerment, and bidirectional communication.
How to Listen
How to Listen
Available on Audible — search for the title in the Audible app or website. You can also purchase the digital download directly from this page. After purchase, you will receive a download link via email.
SINCE 1960
The Nightingale-Conant Difference
For over 60 years, Nightingale-Conant has been the world's leading publisher of personal development audio programs. Our carefully curated collection features the most influential voices in self-improvement, success, and human potential.
We are the world leader in self-development and it is our aim to help you reach your highest and most desired destination. Powerful ideas are at the very heart of success and are the driving force behind everything we do.
I have always believed that thoughts and ideas are our most powerful possessions. For an idea can change the way we look at the world and the way we think — and it can improve every area of our life.
Vic Conant, Chairman
-
Instant Digital Download
Access your program immediately after purchase. Download and listen on any device — phone, tablet, or computer.
-
Listen on Any Device
High-quality audio files compatible with all major media players and the Audible app. Take your personal development library wherever you go.
-
Lifetime Access
Once downloaded, your audio programs are yours to keep forever. Re-listen as many times as you like.