Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success

by Pete Steinberg

Even the most experienced leaders can find themselves suddenly lost when facing a new role or work environment. Despite past success, long-held instincts lead to frustration and a sense of ineffectiveness. This phenomenon is called leadership shock.

In Leadership Shock, executive coach Peter Steinberg draws on decades of experience guiding leaders through major transitions to provide a clear framework for recognizing, overcoming, and preventing leadership shock. Using insightful case studies from his own practice, Steinberg introduces the authentic leadership model—a process for leaders to examine their purpose, role expectations, vision, priorities, and approach to reset their leadership style to thrive in new environments.

Leadership Shock teaches readers to view leadership as an adaptive, continuous process rather than a fixed set of behaviors. By regularly re-evaluating their leadership models, professionals at any level can evolve their principles and actions to lead with authenticity as they navigate new challenges.

With practical exercises and tools, Dr. Steinberg outlines a methodology to help leaders recover from the disorientation of leadership shock and unlock their full potential. The book provides the self-awareness and resilience today's professionals need to embrace change fearlessly and lead with purpose. Leadership Shock offers hope and a clear path forward for leaders facing the inevitable shocks of a complex world.

190 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite parts of this book focus on leadership as an ongoing process, not something you master once and forget. In today’s fast-paced world, this approach feels super relevant. The advice on how to handle transitions and lead more effectively in any situation is endlessly useful. Everyone can lead!

The "authentic leadership" model pushes leaders to constantly rethink their purpose, vision, and approach. Instead of sticking to old habits, Steinberg encourages readers to adapt and grow, offering practical exercises to help them shift gears and handle new challenges.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from the lessons in this book!

[Kristen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the privilege of working with Pete both as a student athlete and an employee. After 20 years I'm still learning. Who knew that all of those rugby team meetings were actually preparing us for the real world?
This book teaches valuable lessons in an approachable way in which you're actually rooting for the main character. A non-fiction book that holds your attention not only because you're learning but because of the narrative makes it an easy, enjoyable, and relatable read.

[Joshua Sutcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple to read but loaded with adaptable exercises that allow you to look internally to create impact through intention. The storytelling brings the framework to life and the case studies helped to solidify an understanding of how to implement.

[Michelle Shen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's actually pretty validating to hear that my overwhelming calendar is a typical experience for a lot of leaders. I loved the way Pete shares relatable experiences in "Leadership Shock" — in many ways, I feel seen. This book is a quick and worthy read!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to learn that my overflowing to-do list was a sign of a bigger problem: leadership shock. Pete's storytelling makes it easy to see how adjusting to a new job position can send you into a state of shock if you aren't careful about managing your time and (limited) energy. He walks the reader through a helpful framework to reassess priorities and principles in a new role. If you are overwhelmed/overworked in your role, read this book to find a better way!

[Kate Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this earlier in my leadership career. Pete has wonderful insights and his playful communication style brightens this novel.