The Vikings were formidable adopters to the Dark Ages and were able to reach their strategic goals - land and wealth - and without losing their freedom or individualism they were able to build effective collective action to acquire what they wanted. The Vikings' approach to deal with uncertainty and turn it around so the risk becomes an opportunity has a relevant message in the today's economy and in the events of the future. Globalization is one of the major challenges of our age but it is not a new phenomenon. The Dark Ages had a shift of powers, uncertainty, and a resurfaced notion of a larger world that set the stage for the later explorations of Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, and Columbus. The world was no longer your river or your valley. It had continents and oceans. These far and remote lands were a trading opportunity and a danger if their armies and fleets suddenly appeared on the horizon. The Viking had the ability to balance the need for individual freedom and unified collective action with the mutual benefits for everyone involved in an era that was unpredictable and uncertain where things could change fast and in a violent way. The leadership principles of the Vikings are crucial to understand how to optimize an organization to face the challenges of the uncertain and volatile global economy that lies ahead. The Vikings had a unique approach to leadership that inspired, maximized, and utilized the opportunities that led Iron Age farmers to embark on a voyage in to the unknown and beyond - from Scandinavia to North America and as far as Central-Asia and Baghdad. Todays corporate approaches of dealing with volatility and uncertainty are not viable routes to success, because they are reactive, rigid, and driven by an accumulated knowledge of the past. The leadership principles of the Vikings, and their management of volatility and uncertainty, instead focuses on an understanding of the future, the unknown and how to instantly adapt to any change in ones environment.

The Vikings were formidable adopters to the Dark Ages and were able to reach their strategic goals - land and wealth - and without losing their freedom or individualism they were able to build effective collective action to acquire what they wanted. The Vikings'approach to deal with uncertainty and turn it around so the risk becomes an opportunity has a relevant message in the today's economy and in the events of the future. Globalization is one of the major challenges of our age but it is not a new phenomenon. The Dark Ages had a shift of powers, uncertainty, and a resurfaced notion of a larger world that set the stage for the later explorations of Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, and Columbus. The world was no longer your river or your valley. It had continents and oceans. These far and remote lands were a trading opportunity and a danger if their armies and fleets suddenly appeared on the horizon. The Viking had the ability to balance the need for individual freedom and unified collective action with the mutual benefits for everyone involved in an era that was unpredictable and uncertain where things could change fast and in a violent way. The leadership principles of the Vikings are crucial to understand how to optimize an organization to face the challenges of the uncertain and volatile global economy that lies ahead. The Vikings had a unique approach to leadership that inspired, maximized, and utilized the opportunities that led Iron Age farmers to embark on a voyage in to the unknown and beyond - from Scandinavia to North America and as far as Central-Asia and Baghdad. Todays corporate approaches of dealing with volatility and uncertainty are not viable routes to success, because they are reactive, rigid, and driven by an accumulated knowledge of the past. The leadership principles of the Vikings, and their management of volatility and uncertainty, instead focuses on an understanding of the future, the unknown and how to instantly adapt to any change in ones environment.

Brian Billick, who guided the Baltimore Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV in only his second year as head coach, quickly earned a reputation as one of the best leaders and motivators in the ranks of the NFL. Creating what many football observers consider the all-time best defense, he led his team to football's Holy Grail against long odds and a tough series of adversaries. Calling upon the skills that helped lead a professional football team, Billick has created an invaluable resource for business executives who want to focus and energize their employees, team members who want to be more effective contributors to their organizations, and anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills.

"Vikings: Conquests, Commerce, and Culture" takes readers on a captivating journey through the fascinating world of the Vikings, unravelling the myths and revealing the true history behind their legacy. This book delves into the conquests, commerce, and cultural aspects of the Norse people, exploring their impact on the world. From the birth of the Norsemen to their renowned raiding expeditions along European coastlines, the book explores the origins and motivations of the Vikings. It highlights their shipbuilding expertise, enabling their conquests and exploration of new lands. The Viking trading network and their entrepreneurial spirit come to life as readers delve into the intricate web of commerce that connected the Norse to distant lands, revealing the valuable commodities and cultural exchanges that shaped their world. The book provides insights into Viking society and governance, showcasing their unique social structure, legal systems, and the influential roles of women within their communities. It unveils the artistic craftsmanship of Viking artisans, their mastery of metalwork, and the significance of runic inscriptions. Readers will embark on voyages of exploration and colonization alongside the Vikings, discovering their journeys to the New World and interactions with civilizations in the East. The military prowess and strategic warfare tactics of Viking warriors are explored, while their enduring legacies in language, mythology, and the diaspora are examined. "Vikings: Conquests, Commerce, and Culture" concludes by reflecting on the lasting impact of the Vikings on global culture and the lessons we can learn from their history. The book celebrates their enduring legacies and invites readers to delve deeper into the captivating world of the Norse. With vivid storytelling, engaging narratives, and meticulous research, this book is an enthralling exploration of the Vikings' conquests, their influential commerce, and the rich cultural tapestry that defined their civilization. It is a must-read for history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone intrigued by the extraordinary saga of the Vikings.

First Nations people of all continents have been refining leadership for millennia. They've had from the dawn of human history to figure out what works and what doesn't. By comparison, the discipline of workplace leadership emerged only about 100 years ago - just a few generations back. First Leaders is the first book devoted to how the wisdom of First Nations leadership can benefit modern leaders. Inspired by conversations with several Maasai elders, Andrew O'Keeffe travelled the globe investigating the leadership knowledge of First Nation societies. His search took him to the central desert of Australia to meet Arrernte and Pintupi, through Africa to meet with Kalahari Bushmen, Himba, Maasai and Samburu, to the Amazon to meet Waorani and Kichwa, to New Zealand to meet Maori and North America to meet with Haida and Mohawk. From his meetings with First Nations people and his focus on the practical application of the wisdom shared with him, Andrew O'Keeffe has identified 11 Principles of First Leadership. The principles provide concrete actions to help both individual leaders and organisations solve their major leadership challenges.

How does a small college in a rural Alberta city of just over 12,000 people become host to the finest hockey players in the world? Now a part of the University of Alberta, Camrose Lutheran College was challenged to compete against larger city colleges. Through persistence in following a vision, the school and the community embraced the potential of the Viking Cup in 1980, opening their doors to the world of hockey through this unique international exchange program. Outside, the Cold War was raging but barriers seemed to melt as the love of hockey played on. By the time the Cup had its last hurrah in 2006, the NHL had drafted more than 400 players from its ranks. The Viking Cup, memoirs and stories of the program’s founder, is a joyful account of an important chapter of Canada’s hockey history.

For three centuries, the Vikings changed the political world of northern and western Europe. This encyclopedia explores exactly how they did it in a highly readable and informative resource volume. How did the Vikings know when to strike? What were their military strengths? Who were their leaders? What was the impact of their raids? These and many more questions are answered in this volume, which will benefit students and general readers alike. The only encyclopedia devoted specifically to the topic of conflict, invasions, and raids in the Viking Age, this book presents detailed coverage of the Vikings, who are infamous for their violent marauding across Europe during the early Middle Ages. Featuring extracts of poetry and prose from the Viking Age, the book provides cultural context in addition to an in-depth analysis of Viking military practices.

An accessible guide to developing leadership skills, from a soldier, military historian, and seasoned leadership expert. Written by a proven leader and leadership expert, this book is an invaluable guide to anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills. Immersive, interactive, and memorable, it will empower you to raise your leadership awareness and help you on your journey to become a winning leader. Concise, focused chapters and an interactive format mean even the most time-strapped can benefit from John Antal’s decades of experience. If you are an emerging leader, this book will provide you with a mind-map and internal compass to maintain a bearing during your leadership journey. This mind-map will outline the contours of the leadership topography; the compass you create in your heart and your mind will provide direction; and your purpose will generate a destination. If you are an experienced leader, this book is also for you. You will find in it reinforcement, confirmation, and a series of knowledge points to add to your existing cognitive map and compass and to help you develop other leaders at every level of skill and awareness. Praise for Leadership Rising “This book will provide the reader with a plethora of knowledge irrespective of whether they work in the government, military, or the corporate world. Anyone who strives to improve their leadership skills should have this book in their library.” —Air & Space Power Journal

This book explores the relationship between Vikings, Rus’ and nomadic (mostly Turkic) steppe dwellers during the course of the Viking Age (c. 750–1050) in a geographical area stretching from Eastern Scandinavia through the Kievan Rus’, Byzantium, the Islamic world to the Western Eurasian steppes. The primary focus is the steppe influence on the development of Scandinavian-Rus’ culture. It illustrates the effects of Turkic (nomadic) cultures on the evolving Scandinavian-Rus’ communities in their military technology and tactics, as well as in everyday customs, ritual traditions and religious perceptions, whilst paying attention to the politico-commercial necessities and possible communication channels tying these two cultures, normally considered to be distinct, together. The arguments are supported by a multi-disciplinary analysis of diverse historical and archaeological materials occasionally supplemented with linguistic evidence. The result is a comprehensive evaluation of the relations of the Scandinavians active in the ‘East’ with Turkic groups, and brings (the so far neglected) steppes into Viking studies in general. The book will fill a serious scholarly gap in the field of Viking studies and will be read by both academics and students interested in the archaeological and historical sources concerned with the traditions of the ‘Eastern Vikings’.