Organizational leaders struggle to lead in these times – they find themselves muddling through. This is a good thing. For too long an “accounting” and “operations management” mind-set has governed management thinking and its time to get back to first principles. The key to effective leadership is a relentless focus on the purposes of the organization coupled with a strong view of what its preferred future should be. By thinking back from the future with purpose, effective leadership can happen if the leader also has courage and persistence. Plans can help, but (as this text reminds us) “a battle plan rarely survives first contact with the enemy”. Leadership is muddling through white water with a sense of purpose. A great many leaders at all levels in organizations will find inspiration and support in this book. It is both well written, informed by experience and practical.