50 Leaders Who Changed History

History has been shaped by a host of inspirational leaders—men and women who with great vision and passion have driven forward innovations in the spheres of politics, religion, culture, and the arts. 50 Leaders Who Changed History surveys 50 of the greatest names: from the fearsome Genghis Khan and fellow empire builders Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte to pioneers in the arts such as the enigmatic Pablo Picasso and William Shakespeare. Explore how these leaders rose to prominence, analyze their achievements and legacy, and draw from their examples. The 50 stories collected here contain many lessons for the modern leader. Key skills of leadership emerge throughout the book: From bold military leaders to technical innovators and social reformers, great leaders share many core traits. The ability to communicate your message; the force of character to motivate your troops; absolute conviction and dedication to a cause—these appear again and again. The story of leadership is not just the story of impressive personalities, it tells a broader tale of the development of ideas and ideals that molded the world we live in today.