No Time for Spectators

The Lessons That Mattered Most from West Point to the West Wing

By: Martin Dempsey

Narrated by: Martin Dempsey

Why are the best leaders the ones who are most adept at following? What should we expect of those who have the privilege of leading? And what may leaders expect of those who follow them?

Drawing upon a military career spanning more than four decades, General Martin Dempsey, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, examines the limits of loyalty, the necessity of sensible skepticism, and the value of responsible rebelliousness, and explains why we actually should sweat the small stuff.

No Time for Spectators takes listeners behind the closed doors of the Situation Room, onto the battlefields of Iraq, and to the East German border at the height of the Cold War. It contends that relationships between leaders and followers, employers and employees, politicians and constituents, coaches and athletes, teachers and students, are most productive when based on certain key mutual expectations.

The book begins from the premise that life is not a spectator sport. Especially not today, especially not at a time when issues are so complex, information is so pervasive, scrutiny is so intense, and the stakes are so high.

No Time for Spectators may not be the answer to all of our problems, but it is a clarion call for those who are actually interested in solving them.

©2020 Martin E. Dempsey (P)2020 Martin E. Dempsey

Great Insights by a Great Leader

General Dempsey was a tremendous leader. The thoughts he provides in this book are exactly the authentic and insightful lessons you would expect from someone of his caliber. His telling of his stories and the lessons he learned from them are not unlike sitting at the kitchen table with a mentor. I wish I could have had these insights as a young second lieutenant.

One of the best books available.

Amazing book with great lessons and in depth stories to reinforce the messages being taught in each chapter. If you’re on the edge of listening to this book stop what you’re doing and get it.

Structure

The structure was excellent. Never a dull moment. Vivid life experiences followed by lessons learned.

Excellent biography and presentation

Great insights from a tremendous career. Valuable for all audiences. Read by the author, with engaging presentation.

Great book on leadership.

Interesting examples based on his personal experience. Hearing it read by the author, General Dempsey, makes listening to it even better.