Leading So People Will Follow

by Erika Andersen

A unique take on leadership from a popular Forbes blogger and nationally-known leadership coach

Leading So People Will Follow explores the six leadership characteristics that inspire followers to fully support their leaders. Using Erika Andersen's proven framework, new leaders and veterans alike have increased their capacity for leading in a way that creates loyalty, commitment and results. Step by step, Andersen lays out six key attributes (far-sightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness) and gives leaders the tools for developing them. This innovative book offers a practical guide for building the skills to become a truly 'followable' leader.

Filled with examples from forward-thinking organizations such as Apple, NBC Universal, Union Square Hospitality Group, and MTV Networks Maps out the six attributes of leadership Includes a free online Followable Leader assessment Author Erika Andersen is one of Forbes' most popular bloggers and coaches some of the most successful leaders in America Using self-assessments, real-world examples, and concrete tools, Leading So People Will Follow helps build timeless core skills that work for leaders in any field.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Professional Development, Management

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2012

About the author

Erika Andersen is the founding partner of Proteus, a coaching, consulting, and training firm that focuses on leader readiness. For almost forty years, Erika has developed a reputation for creating approaches to learning and business-building that are tailored to her clients’ challenges, goals, and culture.

She and her colleagues at Proteus focus uniquely on helping leaders at all levels get ready and stay ready to meet whatever the future might bring. Much of her recent work
has focused on organizational visioning and strategy, executive coaching, and management and leadership development. In these capacities
she serves as consultant and adviser to the CEOs and/or top executives of a number of corporations, including Spotify, Facebook, Spectrum, Novartis, Revolt Media, and CBS Sports.

Erika shares her insights about creating and leading successful businesses by speaking to corporations, nonprofit groups, and associations. Her books and learning guides have been translated into Spanish, Turkish, German, French, Russian, and Chinese, and she has contributed to and been quoted in a variety of national publications, including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and the New York Times.

Erika is also a popular leadership contributor at Forbes.com. In addition to Change from the Inside Out, she is the author of Be Bad First— Get Good at Things FAST to Stay Ready for the Future; Leading So People Will Follow; Being Strategic: Plan for Success; Outthink Your
Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change; and Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers. Finally, Erika is the author and host of the Proteus Leader Show, a regular podcast that offers
quick, practical support for managers and leaders.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's a huge missed opportunity here. In the introduction Andersen says she noticed patterns of exemplary leader behavior in folk takes and fairy tales, which led me to think that the book would be about general observations across cultures with a lot of references to back them up. Instead she cites one story that sounds like it was made up for this book. That's akin to shooting an arrow into a tree and drawing a circle around it, then claiming you shot a bullseye.

[Imran Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, easy to read and with lots of practical suggestions for readers. The book is well organized and the author's principles of leadership are logically developed.

Recommended for anyone wishing to better themselves, not only corporate leaders.

[Kelsey Burnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic but solid information

[Kalle Marie Red-Horse · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn’t think the made-up folk tale aspect was necessary but the advice seems solid

[Mark Muckerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself conflicted while reading it, and in considering a review. After reading it, I THEN looked at other Goodreads commentary, and found it consistent with my view: If you're new to a leadership role, and/or if you find yourself with the responsiblity for coaching or mentoring new people leaders, it's an okay primer in a very simple parable.

That being said, if you have any depth of succesful people leadership experience, you'll likely find it to be a collection of 185 pages of pedantry and pablum.

Skip it.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andersen identifies leaders as being Farsighted, Passionate, Courageous, Wise, Generous, and Trustworthy. Each of the traits are examined individually by the author through the use of an introductory story and numerous case studies. The author provides a set of questions per trait for self-reflection. Additional information is provided for the reader to develop and grow the seven leadership trips.

[Jim Serger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells story of a tale, which in return Eric's Anderson creates the storyline. The tale to so many has been told/shared a million times about how a little non- effective person steps up to the crisis and is the hero. The author shared all the necessities needed to make that victory a success , all the attributes needed to accomplish a leader type roll. Good book sharing what is needed to create a leader.

[Marcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening guide to becoming a truly effective leader. This book did a fantastic job of walking through the traits that we look for in our leaders, and exercises to build further develop these traits ourselves. I was able to identify a lot of areas that need a ton of improvement within my own leadership/communication style, and am looking forward to making real progress in each of them. Highly recommended.

[Steve Semler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro book to leadership, explaining leadership from a practical "How does this work?" standpoint. Not theoretical or academic, but uses a deceptively simple method of analysis and storytelling to replicate what a variety of competency modeling firms have built over the years.

Definitely recommended for the new leader, experienced leader, consultant, or academic trying to figure out how to convey complex subjects in a practical, approachable way.

[Charlie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good nuggets of wisdom on how to be a better leader - one whom others will want to follow. Very practical. Leaves the reader in a position to evaluate himself/herself and take some steps to leverage strengths and work on improving weaknesses.

[Allisonperkel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, quick read that does offer a quick overview of some of key tenants of being a manager. I knocked this down as the book isn't very deep and there was a decided feel of book as pr for her company (which, to be fair, sounds pretty great).

[Devorah Royal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The advice is not necessarily wrong, its just too obvious and I didn't find anything to really use from this book. The material is dull and is presented neither in a new way nor does it enhance motivation on old school concepts. Don't mean to be rude, but its a waste of time.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have made a great essay. The book was pretty long for the content (but a super fast read). Reading the executive summary of this book would be worthwhile. And the added chapter on listening skills in the back was nice. Not horribly compelling.

[Grant Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

good premises, but after the first couple chapters, becomes redundant.

[Chris Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

very solid read & easy to digest.

[Marcy Graybill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really it was just okay, I've read better books on leadership, there wasn't much new in it.

[Paiman Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy reading which comes with core ideas at the end of each section. Worth spending time reading this. It comes with story telling mode.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well articulated, clear instructions, sensible advice in an easily accessible format.

[Vicki Shafer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time

Platitudes and catch phrases. Nothing new or insightful at all. The author has only repeated what she has read or heard elsewhere

[Theodore Kinni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following Joseph Campbell's lead, Andersen mines folktales for stereotypical leadership traits and finds six. Then, she turns them into a practical guide to making yourself a better leader.

[Erika Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it, I like the books I write. Hope you do, too! :-)