The Unconquerable Leader: Mastering the Internal and External Game

by Nathan Tanner

Leading in today’s dynamic, ever-changing environment is harder than ever. The stakes are high. Expectations of leaders have increased. Technology makes it impossible to disconnect. Competitive landscapes are evolving at a quickening pace. The only constant is change.

The real challenge of leadership isn’t creating a vision for your team or building the right culture. It isn’t goal setting or communicating effectively. The real challenge isn’t even hiring or firing people. No, the real challenge of leadership is doing all these things at once when deep down you feel like an impostor. The real challenge is showing up with confidence when the odds are stacked against you. The real challenge is thriving at work and away from work.

To overcome these challenges, you must learn to master the internal and external game. The external game is how you show up with others. It’s focused on practical leadership skills, such as setting expectations, delegating, holding people accountable, and giving difficult feedback. The external game is hard but learnable.

The internal game is more complicated. It's your thoughts, motives, and feelings that impact your leadership but aren’t directly visible to those around you. The internal game is about becoming mentally and emotionally resilient. It’s about self-confidence in the face of adversity. It’s about keeping your ego in check. Mastering the internal game is a lifelong battle. It requires deliberate introspection and going deeper into yourself.

In The Unconquerable Leader, leadership expert Nathan Tanner teaches how to master both the internal and external game. Drawing from his experience leading HR at DoorDash and coaching top executives, Tanner teaches timeless principles to help you be not just a better leader, but a better person. This book skillfully combines compelling stories with battle-tested wisdom and practical tools to give you a blueprint for leadership excellence. As you read The Unconquerable Leader you'll understand why Tanner is such a sought-after coach and advisor.”

Genres: Leadership

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2024

Reviews

[Laurie Markham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally the latest practical book on leadership!

Unconquerable Leader by Nate Tanner

Nate Tanner's Unconquerable Leader is a captivating dive into the world of self-improvement and personal development. Tanner, a seasoned executive coach, lays out a compelling roadmap for unlocking your inner potential and achieving greatness.

The book is divided into clear, actionable sections, making it easy for readers to embark on their own leader’s journey. He dives deep into the psychology of success, exploring the limiting beliefs and self-doubt that often hold us back. He provides effective strategies for overcoming these obstacles and developing a mindset of empowerment and resilience.
Unconquerable leader is more than just abstract advice. He sprinkles the book with inspiring stories and anecdotes, drawing from his own experiences and the experiences of his clients. These real-world examples make the book relatable and engaging, allowing readers to see how his principles can be applied to their own lives.

What sets this book apart as a must read?
Unconquerable Leader goes beyond the typical self-help platitudes . Nathan acknowledges the challenges and setbacks that inevitably arise on the path to success. He equips readers with the tools to navigate these difficulties and emerge stronger.

Who should read this book?
Unconquerable Leader is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to up their game. Whether you're looking to overcome personal limitations, achieve a specific goal, or simply live a more fulfilling life, Tanner's guidance will prove invaluable.

In conclusion, Unconquerable Leader is an inspiring and practical guide to unlocking your possibilities and achieving your dreams. His engaging writing style and actionable advice make this book a must-read for anyone intentional about self-improvement.

[Maria Paula Castellanos Monroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with a different perspective!

The author of this book is simply a genius. The book talks about leadership, but the author decides to approach it from a completely unexpected perspective, because in the first place, he states that the concept of leadership that has been interpreted today is completely distant from reality because what many people or even companies think is the challenge of leading such as giving feedback or others is actually the last of the problems.

The author proposes that for a leader to be a true leader and have the skills to lead a team must take into account two perspectives, the external and internal one. The external is composed of these skills that are reflected towards your team and all the tools that arise from it, however, for me the most important is the internal and this speech that you have inserted in your head that allows you to believe or not in you, this is the real key to being a leader.

This book made me rethink many things about my leadership and led me to review my internal leadership to be a better leader every day inside and outside of work.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mastering Modern Leadership...

Nathan Tanner’s "The Unconquerable Leader: Mastering the Internal and External Game" is essential for navigating modern leadership's complexities. Drawing from his experience at DoorDash and coaching executives, Tanner provides a blueprint for leadership excellence.

The book addresses two main areas: the external and internal games of leadership. The external game covers practical skills like setting expectations and giving tough feedback, making these tasks manageable. However, the internal game is where Tanner truly shines, tackling inner struggles such as impostor syndrome and maintaining emotional resilience.

Enriched with compelling stories and practical tools, Tanner's insights are both engaging and applicable. He emphasizes that true leadership is about balancing numerous tasks while battling self-doubt and external pressures. "The Unconquerable Leader" is a powerful resource for anyone aiming to become a better leader and person, offering timeless principles for thriving in today’s dynamic environment. Highly recommended.

[Kelly Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently finished The Unconquerable Leader by Nathan Tanner—and wow. This book is packed with practical wisdom, insights that stick, and lessons you can apply right away.

Nathan’s years of leading teams and coaching leaders really shine through. He blends real experiences, solid evidence, and actionable advice so seamlessly that I felt like I was right there with him—in the boardroom, at home with his family, or crossing a triathlon finish line.

Here are a few lessons that really stood out:

1. Be true to who you’re becoming. Don’t cling to the story of who you think you are. Growth is constant—make it part of your identity.
2. Delegation ≠ letting go. Build clear systems of accountability. Use the 80/20 rule: give full autonomy for 80% of tasks, stay close to the 20% that really need your eyes.
3. Discretion is a leadership superpower. Know when to speak up—and when to bite your tongue. Discernment beats any formula.

Whether you’re leading a team, an organization, or simply yourself, pick up this book. It’s sharp, practical, and genuinely inspiring.

[Steve Sarner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanner's book doesn't just focus on external leadership skills but delves deeply into the inner growth necessary for true mastery. This approach sets it apart from other leadership books.

Throughout the book, the author challenges you to confront your assumptions about leadership. As with others these days, he suggests embracing vulnerability and authenticity, presenting them as sources of strength rather than weaknesses. This is an important point to me in a leader although in today’s political environment (side note) it doesn’t seem important to many voters.

I appreciated the blend of theory and real-world examples that mirrored some of my own experiences. Tanner's insights were relevant, making them not only relatable but also actionable. His has an engaging and relatable writing style and does a solid job of taking complex concepts and making them accessible.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be a leader in the business arena is to wear many hats. You must present various qualities to be seen as a good leader, among them fortitude, approachability, determination, and enduring positivity. It’s not easy, and the best leaders are always made, never born. Even those who feel they have a natural proclivity toward leadership can stand to work on their techniques. Whether you feel you are a natural leader or it is a role that does not come easily to you, this is the book to refine and hone your skill set like never before.

The strategies you will learn in these pages come from an author who has made it to the upper echelons of his industry. The many real-life stories contained herein will galvanize you to be the best version of yourself. Everyone in your company will appreciate the leader you can become if you take these lessons to heart.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to buy this book because I wanted a guide that covered both the theoretical aspects of leadership and offered practical tools I could use right away. The blend of the author's personal stories with actionable strategies appeared to be an ideal combination to me.

The lessons that this reading left me with are numerous and valuable. I discovered the significance of resilience during challenging times and how adaptability is essential for navigating constant changes in the business environment. Also, the focus on ethical leadership has encouraged me to keep high standards of honesty in all my decisions.

This book has not only improved my understanding of leadership but also given me the tools I need to grow and succeed in my current job. I highly recommend The Unconquerable Leader.

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Unconquerable Leader” is ideal for all of us who want to be the protagonists of our own story.

Success lies in the harmony between what we think, what we say and what we do, its necessary the harmonious transition between the private and the public, between our inner voice and our dreams. We all have an inner Nathan Tanner, and is our obligation to listen it. It’s mandatory to be the winner of our inner game in order to be storytellers with a clear vision and with the strong determination to dare to do "hard things" leaving aside the opinion of others and giving more importance to the dreams that we once considered unconquerable. This book is a perfect gift for ourselves, for all those who feel indebted to themselves, for dreamers and for those whose dreams stay on their pillows at night, but at the same time for all those who know that their life is unique but still live under the pressure of other's opinions. I think “The Unconquerable Leader” is ideal for all of us who want to be the protagonists of our own story.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It goes without saying that today we live in a fast-paced world, with a changing environment and technologies everywhere that are not always beneficial. This causes managers or business leaders to find themselves at the crossroads of not knowing where to direct their company, causing them to navigate blindly in a sea of uncertainty.
It is imperative to clarify that this book does an exceptional job of providing a reasonable, expert and easy to understand guide to make people born leaders.
Drawing on his vast experience, the author is careful to explain in detail the difference between the inside and outside game and offers readers both true stories and invaluable information to master the game of leadership to perfection.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivational book with personal stories

I liked this book. It's a motivational book, like so many others, but it's written in a casual, almost rambling style, full of stories from the author's personal life, and stories of struggle from other well known achievers. It's a very easy read, and while it does have structure in terms of topics covered and questions for the reader to ask themselves, it doesn't have the rigid and hyper tone some other motivational books do. The author's stories are very relatable and help the reader feel like they too can make improvements in their life. Lessons about growth mindsets, daily routines, energy, confidence, and more are all included here and could do any reader some good.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read
Just by paying attention to the title “The Unconquerable Leader”, you can assure that it will be a transforming and teaching read. Nathan Tanner has come up with a valuable guide that teaches the qualities that a good leader must have inside and out the game. Why does he make this distinction? Since any leader needs to work out with his feelings, inner motivations as well as with people and the constant changes. In short, Nathan shows how to become an expert in leadership. It seems to be quite a difficult task to do but it isn't impossible. Here, there are real-life stories that will show that everything is possible, with hard-work, determination and willingness. It’s an enlightening, well-explained book. It’s a must read!

[Yolanda Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites on leadership, it looks at it from different aspects and seeks to give a different, and in my opinion more human, position. It not only talks about how to hire, how to guide your team, motivate them, communicate effectively and grow your business, but it talks about a much more important challenge which is to balance your life and prosper in all aspects. I really liked how the author addresses all those tools and adjectives that a leader must have, beyond knowledge, how it is important to relate, delegate, be resilient and how you must be much more self-critical in a position where people see you as a reference. It is an incredible book that will not only make you a spectacular leader, but an even better person.

[Dani Savante · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this great book, the author addresses an unavoidable reality for today's leaders: the work environment is constantly changing, and expectations of leaders are higher than ever.
The great advances in technology and highly competitive environments mean that ease of adaptation becomes an essential skill. The way I see things is a great emotional and mental thing.
What has really interested me a lot and has marked a before and after for me is the idea that the author develops regarding the management of one's thoughts, emotions and motives. I found this reading very interesting and I believe that everyone in the world of work should read it.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

By default, the leader wants his company to improve, generate more profits and grow in billing, personnel, product portfolio and services, but what happens when times are so changing? Is it possible for this to happen?
In "The Unconquerable Leader" author Tanner teaches the reader to master both the internal and external game. From this reading, leaders will begin to be not only the best at performing their position, but also better people.
I think it is a highly recommended book, with a good dynamic and with a lot of information to apply. Certainly, leaders and leaders to be will find endless tools and resources to apply when carrying out their role.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leadership skills.

When I started reading this book I had some doubts because it has many nice sentences but they may be empty. Fortunately, the author explained each of them and uses practical examples to simplify explanations.
I think this book on leadership stands out for its simplicity and its use of real examples. It is a kind of guide for leaders, something common in this style of books, but it is different because it highlights the importance of internal and external work.
To be a leader in a world that constantly changes is a big challenge and Nathan Tanner did this work which can be very useful. I recommend it for those who want to improve their leadership skills.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me it is amazing to find a book that really helped me to make changes in my leadership that has really paid off. I have a small team but it is preparing me for the future, and with this book I managed to find strategies, focused on a more human aspect of leadership, which helped me to motivate and lead my team to the goals of the organization without the unnecessary pressure that I used to use before. I loved all the stories used to understand different scenarios and the tools provided are spectacular, and in my opinion this way of leadership will make you create a united culture, based on people and not just goals.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I particularly like about the book is how practical the approach to leadership is, explaining the internal and external games.
I found that Tanner’s explanation goes beyond the typical leadership advice readers encounter. It is a very good book to help develop all the skills we see and also all the internal resilience that comes in the package. The method the book talks about is not only going to help in the professional world, but it is also very valuable for the personal journey.
The book has very compelling stories and practical tools giving a blueprint to excel in leadership. To sum up, it is a great book for those in the business world trying to enter an unknown area.

[Noel Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid book, with some useful points.