Unlock The Hidden Leader: Become The Leader You Were Destined To Be

by Gifford Thomas

For 20 years, John sat in his chair, struggling to find meaning and purpose in his job. Sadly, the company work environment became toxic to the core resulting in new employees quitting within six months of joining, and the people who gave their blood, sweat and tears to the organization felt uncertain, uninspired, and unenthusiastic about their work and the company's future.

John felt dejected and unmotivated. He eventually left the company to follow his heart to pursue something that provided some sense of fulfillment for his life but, more importantly, to add value to the people he was entrusted to serve. This story is so familiar, organizations with no purpose, no vision, no values, and absolutely no communication holding on by a shoestring of existence quite comfortable with being average instead of being extraordinary.

When you are a leader, you have the influence to lead people to greatness or lead them to despair. This book will help you find the inspiration within so you can plant seeds of hope in the hearts of your team, learn how to use communication to lead and inspire change successfully and, most notably, awaken a sense of expectation inside of you and the people you lead. Leadership has precious little to do with authority, management acumen, or even being in charge. Your position on the org chart doesn’t make you a leader. Your title doesn’t make you a leader. Leadership has nothing to do with your social status, your bank account, or where you reside. It’s all about one life inspiring and motivating another to become the very best version of themselves. Each chapter in this book will help you find the inspiration within to become the leader you were destined to develop into. As John Quincy Adams puts it, “if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

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

140 pages, Paperback

Published July 17, 2023

About the author

I am the founder of Leadership First and the author of The Inspirational Leader, Inspire Your Team To Believe In The Impossible. At Leadership First, we are committed to publishing the very best inspirational leadership quotes and articles to inspire our 1.4M+ community of leaders every day to believe in the impossible and inspiring leaders to create an environment free from toxic, fearful and intimidating practices. We believe everyone can and should enjoy their work, but it must start with the leadership leading by example to inspire their people to become the very best version of themselves.

I am a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, a Council member with GLG, an advisor with visaQ Inc out of Japan, and one of the leading writers on Quora for Leadership Development. Leadership is all about people; it's about inspiring people to believe in themselves, to believe that anything is possible, and to believe in something much greater than their own self-preservation; when we have that type of influence as leaders, great things happen.

Reviews

[tika · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very typical leadership book. Nothing new or inventive about this, it does capture some interviews and observations from CEOs and Presidents that have overcome large influence at their companies. I found the repetitive nature to be slightly boring and monotonous at times. Overall it does get the message across, just could have been written in a more approachable tone in my opinion!

Also not usable for group trainings — far too vague and doesn’t cover enough different topics. (My purpose for reading said book)

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically, do your own work on your person/character & look out for others. Don't be the toxic abusive person. As for how as how to deal with toxic workplaces or bosses? It's a lot of tropes that do not offer useful ways that will work to deal with those kinds of bosses, departments, and workplaces. The book does not address how some do NOT care to work on themselves but find firing and hiring on repeat, not an issue. They have no problem with workplace favoritism and promoting backstabbers. They turn degrading anyone with different/better education or knowledge into a company sport.

But good to know I'm reading the company correctly and why they behave as they do is explained in the book. Just not how to fix it besides you leaving and hopefully because you found a different job.

I like the tips on how to handle change in a company if you ever get to such a leadership place.

Line Managers-I think means middle managers which is the worst spot to be in-that is not addressed either.

Overall, join the online support group.

[Carrie Campbell-jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Advice. This book had some good practical advice for those looking to lead. I am listening to this audiobook and it is 2025. The author provides the qualities a leader should possess. I’m paraphrasing but he says that a true leader is someone who understands that if errors occur within the team that he is responsible for, a leader does not blame the individuals on his team for the error. He takes the blame for the error for he is leading the team. This act of accountability will show his team that he is with them for better or worse and has their back. When the leader points the blame at the team, it leads to feelings of distrust in leadership and creates competition and brown nosing amongst the team. Again I’m paraphrasing but that is the gest. Again this is 2025 and by this definition, it is evident that we do not have a leader.

[Shannon Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read with valuable information. This book explains how to be a great leader, applicable to those who want to lead by example - not just for those with leadership titles. It explains much more than just leadership tactics and skills, as it also discusses work-life balance, how to instill great communication skills, and finding a healthy lifestyle amongst working hard.

[Brianna Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced to read this for grad class, BUT if you’re looking for a short, easy ready on leadership this is definitely it! Overall I really enjoyed, learned a lot about Starbucks leadership, so this Starbucks lover loved that!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Items of Note:
* Leadership is a journey of growth, not a destination to be reached.
* True leadership begins with self-awareness and the courage to embrace your unique strengths.
* Don't wait for permission to lead. Seize opportunities to make a positive difference right where you are.

[L]

A chapter on politics seems interesting

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good perspectives and a good way to refresh & reframe but I had a tough time with the grammar and punctuation errors, there were so many that it was actually very distracting.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of the finest books on leadership I’ve ever read. It defines leadership and leaders and teaches how to accept the role and how to navigate an organization through the good times, the bad times, and the changing times.

Many examples of leadership where the leaders failed, where they won, where they changed the organizational direction and brought their failing company back from pits of despair.

It is very enlightening and encouraging for both new leaders and for seasoned leaders.

5/5