First-Class Leadership

First-Class Leadership by Hamid Safaei provides practical advice on a wide range of topics relevant to leading. This book is about action rather than concepts. Safaei goes into detail about what leaders need to do. The deeper details of how to do all that needs to be done is lacking. Safaei backs his advice with quotes from many leaders, but do not expect a conceptual foundation for what is recommended. But this book is not meant to be an academic treatise on leadership. This is a book for those who want to know what is required of a leader. The reasons for the title and subtitle of the book are unclear, though. The author explains what first-class leadership entails but not what makes his conception of leadership first class. The subtitle is misleading, “How Highly Effective Teams Can Achieve Breakthrough Results.” The implication is that the book’s focus is on building effective teams. That is certainly part of what Safaei addresses, but the book is far more comprehensive in its explanation of the leader’s role. Safaei writes in a simple, straightforward, sincere style, though choppy due to a lack of smooth transitions. He is a native of Iran and moved to the Netherlands in 2001, where he continues to live. His perspective is more international than many American authors, which is evident from the people Safaei interviewed and sources he quotes. This broader viewpoint is refreshing. Also pleasing is how illustrations are used throughout the book to support themes within the text and provide visual relief from the printed word. First-Class Leadership is an informative read for those seeking an introduction and overview of what it takes to lead.