Book excerpt: The Burden of Command is a short primer or handbook regarding successful strategies with specific tactics for use in leadership, supervision, and management in today's public and private sector workplace. The book uses an introduction to open and five chapters, each identified as a particular burden or requirement for anyone appointed to a position of supervision as a guide to shape their conduct and plot their course to develop the necessary skill sets for effective and meaningful job performance. The epilogue ties everything together with the latest research in support of the strategies implemented. Two case studies and a reading list complete the book's goal of providing new and seasoned supervisors with a “tool chest” of management tools to perform proactive maintenance, problem repairs, and high performance enhancements in the leader's personal repertoire. The book uses practical applications, detailed lists, and specific examples in each chapter to explain how and why the book's methods are important and useful. This book is a result of the author's many years of practical experience and many interactive classes with hundreds of supervisors across the country. It is a very unique and useful book, easily understood with an interesting and important angle of view for modern leadership expectations. It provides objective insight and promotes best practices for anyone given leadership authority over others.