THE ESSENCE OF SUCCESS, insights in leadership and strategy from sport, business, war and politics

355pp., paperback, Penguin Books, Cape Town, 2025

ISBN: 9781776392551

Greg Mills and Emanuele Pirro identify common factors that contribute to the achievement of success in different eras and diverse settings, in public life as well as private business, in conflict and in sport.

"Leadership in theory, including in politics, is quite different from leadership in practice, including in government. This commanding book demonstrates how to turn ideas and ambition into a plan of action." Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs, South Africa

"This is a fabulous book combining the sharp analytical eye of the strategist with the grounded, human insight of the practitioner ... Mills and Pirro explore what really lies behind success - not bombast or brilliance alone, but grit, planning, adaptability and the ability to inspire others. The stories in this book reveal the quiet power of character, preparation and team-building. The Essence of Success is not just a book about winners, but about how they got there. It's a timely, wise and absolutely compelling read." James Holland, author of The Savage Storm  

Greg Mills, former Director of the Brenthurst Foundation, is a visiting fellow at the University of Navarra in Spain and a senior research fellow and member of the advisory board of the Royal United Services Institute. His books include Why Africa is Poor: and what Africans can do about it; Rich State, Poor State, why some countries succeed and others fail and Expensive Poverty: why aid fails and how it can work

Emanuele Pirro is a five-time winner of the Le Mans 24-Hour endurance race, a member of various bodies within the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), and Pesident of the Grand Prix Drivers Club.