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From Tailspin to Tailwind: Leadership Lessons for Turning Crisis Into Clarity
Your organization is in crisis. Do you have the leadership tools to turn it around?
In From Tailspin to Tailwind, Buddy Teaster—President & CEO of Soles4Souls—shares how he led a near-failing nonprofit through a dramatic transformation into a thriving global social enterprise. His story isn’t just about one organization’s turnaround; it’s a blueprint for leaders in any sector who need to navigate turbulence, rebuild trust, and chart a sustainable path forward.
Inside, you’ll learn how
Restore credibility and confidence after financial mismanagement or reputational setbacksTransform entrenched cultures with transparency and shared leadershipApply entrepreneurial thinking to unlock new sources of growth and impactBuild resilience in your people and organization to withstand ongoing disruptionUse crisis as a catalyst for clarity, alignment, and long-term successFrom Tailspin to Tailwind is perfect
Executives and entrepreneurs steering companies through chaosChangemakers who believe adversity can fuel innovation and growthManagers navigating change, crisis, or team realignmentNonprofit leaders seeking sustainable models and renewed trustDiscover how Soles4Souls repurposed more than 107 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing into vehicles for economic empowerment, raising household incomes globally and reducing landfill waste. Through the lens of resilience and shared leadership, the book delves into the hard-earned lessons learned during a decade of reinvention, from tackling financial mismanagement to restoring public trust.
If you’re ready to stop reacting to crisis and start leading with clarity, From Tailspin to Tailwind will show you the way.
In From Tailspin to Tailwind, Buddy Teaster—President & CEO of Soles4Souls—shares how he led a near-failing nonprofit through a dramatic transformation into a thriving global social enterprise. His story isn’t just about one organization’s turnaround; it’s a blueprint for leaders in any sector who need to navigate turbulence, rebuild trust, and chart a sustainable path forward.
Inside, you’ll learn how
Restore credibility and confidence after financial mismanagement or reputational setbacksTransform entrenched cultures with transparency and shared leadershipApply entrepreneurial thinking to unlock new sources of growth and impactBuild resilience in your people and organization to withstand ongoing disruptionUse crisis as a catalyst for clarity, alignment, and long-term successFrom Tailspin to Tailwind is perfect
Executives and entrepreneurs steering companies through chaosChangemakers who believe adversity can fuel innovation and growthManagers navigating change, crisis, or team realignmentNonprofit leaders seeking sustainable models and renewed trustDiscover how Soles4Souls repurposed more than 107 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing into vehicles for economic empowerment, raising household incomes globally and reducing landfill waste. Through the lens of resilience and shared leadership, the book delves into the hard-earned lessons learned during a decade of reinvention, from tackling financial mismanagement to restoring public trust.
If you’re ready to stop reacting to crisis and start leading with clarity, From Tailspin to Tailwind will show you the way.
- GenresNonfiction
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025
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1203 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 16, 2025
Book Review: From Tailspin to Tailwind: Leadership Lessons for Turning Crisis into Clarity by Buddy Teaster
A Compass for Turbulent Times
Buddy Teaster’s From Tailspin to Tailwind is a timely, actionable guide for leaders navigating uncertainty. Blending personal anecdotes with strategic frameworks, Teaster transforms crisis management from reactive survival to proactive clarity. This isn’t just another leadership manual—it’s a battle-tested playbook for turning adversity into advantage.
Narrative and Themes
Teaster’s prose is refreshingly candid, drawing from his own high-stakes experiences (including corporate turnarounds and nonprofit leadership) to illustrate how chaos can catalyze growth. The book’s core theme—clarity through crisis—resonates deeply in today’s volatile world. Each chapter unpacks a specific leadership challenge (e.g., decision paralysis, team morale collapse) and reframes it as an opportunity for reinvention.
Practical Execution
What sets this book apart is its balance of theory and practice. Teaster avoids abstract platitudes, instead offering concrete tools like the “Tailwind Matrix” (a prioritization framework) and “Crisis Mapping” exercises. Real-world case studies—from Fortune 500 companies to grassroots nonprofits—ground the lessons in relatable stakes.
Character and Voice
Teaster’s voice is both mentor and ally—firm but empathetic. His willingness to share personal failures (e.g., misjudged risks, communication breakdowns) humanizes the advice and builds trust with readers. The inclusion of diverse leadership perspectives (interview snippets with executives, frontline managers, and entrepreneurs) enriches the narrative.
Reading Experience
Concise yet substantive, the book’s structure mirrors its message: no fluff, just forward motion. Chapters are modular, allowing readers to tackle urgent needs first (e.g., “Rebuilding Trust Mid-Crisis” stands alone brilliantly). The prose is jargon-free, making complex concepts accessible without oversimplifying.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Conceptual Rigor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – Fresh frameworks that avoid cliché.
-Practical Utility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Immediately applicable tools.
-Narrative Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Stories stick; some case studies could dive deeper.
-Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Clear, engaging, and inclusive.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Builds on classics (e.g., Extreme Ownership) with unique twists.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – A standout in the leadership genre.
Ideal Reader:
-Executives facing disruptive change
-Emerging leaders preparing for uncertainty
-Teams rebuilding post-crisis
-Fans of Dare to Lead (Brené Brown) or Leaders Eat Last (Simon Sinek)
Gratitude:
Heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Buddy Teaster for the advance review copy. This book arrived at a pivotal moment—its lessons are already shaping my own leadership approach.
Final Assessment:
From Tailspin to Tailwind doesn’t just help you weather storms—it teaches you to harness their energy. Teaster’s blend of humility and tactical brilliance makes this a must-read for anyone leading in turbulent times. The final chapter’s rallying cry—“Clarity is contagious”—lingers long after the last page.
A Compass for Turbulent Times
Buddy Teaster’s From Tailspin to Tailwind is a timely, actionable guide for leaders navigating uncertainty. Blending personal anecdotes with strategic frameworks, Teaster transforms crisis management from reactive survival to proactive clarity. This isn’t just another leadership manual—it’s a battle-tested playbook for turning adversity into advantage.
Narrative and Themes
Teaster’s prose is refreshingly candid, drawing from his own high-stakes experiences (including corporate turnarounds and nonprofit leadership) to illustrate how chaos can catalyze growth. The book’s core theme—clarity through crisis—resonates deeply in today’s volatile world. Each chapter unpacks a specific leadership challenge (e.g., decision paralysis, team morale collapse) and reframes it as an opportunity for reinvention.
Practical Execution
What sets this book apart is its balance of theory and practice. Teaster avoids abstract platitudes, instead offering concrete tools like the “Tailwind Matrix” (a prioritization framework) and “Crisis Mapping” exercises. Real-world case studies—from Fortune 500 companies to grassroots nonprofits—ground the lessons in relatable stakes.
Character and Voice
Teaster’s voice is both mentor and ally—firm but empathetic. His willingness to share personal failures (e.g., misjudged risks, communication breakdowns) humanizes the advice and builds trust with readers. The inclusion of diverse leadership perspectives (interview snippets with executives, frontline managers, and entrepreneurs) enriches the narrative.
Reading Experience
Concise yet substantive, the book’s structure mirrors its message: no fluff, just forward motion. Chapters are modular, allowing readers to tackle urgent needs first (e.g., “Rebuilding Trust Mid-Crisis” stands alone brilliantly). The prose is jargon-free, making complex concepts accessible without oversimplifying.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Conceptual Rigor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – Fresh frameworks that avoid cliché.
-Practical Utility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Immediately applicable tools.
-Narrative Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Stories stick; some case studies could dive deeper.
-Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Clear, engaging, and inclusive.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Builds on classics (e.g., Extreme Ownership) with unique twists.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – A standout in the leadership genre.
Ideal Reader:
-Executives facing disruptive change
-Emerging leaders preparing for uncertainty
-Teams rebuilding post-crisis
-Fans of Dare to Lead (Brené Brown) or Leaders Eat Last (Simon Sinek)
Gratitude:
Heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Buddy Teaster for the advance review copy. This book arrived at a pivotal moment—its lessons are already shaping my own leadership approach.
Final Assessment:
From Tailspin to Tailwind doesn’t just help you weather storms—it teaches you to harness their energy. Teaster’s blend of humility and tactical brilliance makes this a must-read for anyone leading in turbulent times. The final chapter’s rallying cry—“Clarity is contagious”—lingers long after the last page.
June 10, 2025
A Very Disappointing Account that Misses the Mark
There are many great leadership insights shared by Mr. Teaster, but the factual premises for these types of books should be accurate. Mr. Teaster inherited and solved plenty of dysfunction at S4S with which to have written a compelling book without flubbing its history. There is an incredible amount to learn from the S4S debacle - mostly on toxic founderitis and how not to be a director. But the other S4S leaders I advised from ‘09 - ‘12 who launched and successfully ran the micro enterprise program in Haiti, Honduras, and Tanzania years before Mr. Teaster’s arrival - and indeed facilitated his hiring - deserve to be recognized and respected for their innovations and achievements. Contrary to this book, they did so ethically and transparently. In fact, The Tennessean actually covered the launch of the microenterpise program in a featured article years before the “investigative” articles that created S4S’ PR nightmare - and then conveniently deleted the article from its archive when it chose to attack the program years later. It is disappointing that Mr. Teaster chose to omit the full story and disparage the good people who proceeded him in order to unnecessarily inflate his achievements. He was exactly the right CEO to take the reins and catapult S4S to the next level. A real leader, however, doesn’t need to kick down.
There are many great leadership insights shared by Mr. Teaster, but the factual premises for these types of books should be accurate. Mr. Teaster inherited and solved plenty of dysfunction at S4S with which to have written a compelling book without flubbing its history. There is an incredible amount to learn from the S4S debacle - mostly on toxic founderitis and how not to be a director. But the other S4S leaders I advised from ‘09 - ‘12 who launched and successfully ran the micro enterprise program in Haiti, Honduras, and Tanzania years before Mr. Teaster’s arrival - and indeed facilitated his hiring - deserve to be recognized and respected for their innovations and achievements. Contrary to this book, they did so ethically and transparently. In fact, The Tennessean actually covered the launch of the microenterpise program in a featured article years before the “investigative” articles that created S4S’ PR nightmare - and then conveniently deleted the article from its archive when it chose to attack the program years later. It is disappointing that Mr. Teaster chose to omit the full story and disparage the good people who proceeded him in order to unnecessarily inflate his achievements. He was exactly the right CEO to take the reins and catapult S4S to the next level. A real leader, however, doesn’t need to kick down.
July 19, 2025
An Honest and Insightful Guide for Nonprofit Transformation
I think this book is a refreshing and much-needed resource for anyone involved in the nonprofit sector. As someone who worked in two different nonprofit agencies over the course of my career, I understand firsthand how delicate a nonprofit’s reputation can be. One organization I was involved with is now in need of major restructuring, and I’ve recently been invited to join the board to help steer that process. The emotional toll of this work is real—operating a nonprofit often feels like being on a relentless rollercoaster. Teaster’s insights are practical, honest, and grounded in experience. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges but instead offers strategies and hope. His storytelling and leadership approach resonate strongly with those of us who’ve been in the trenches. I especially appreciate the emphasis on combining business expertise with a servant leadership mindset. I am now retired but active as a consultant, I see this book as an invaluable tool I can reference and share. Highly recommended for nonprofit professionals, board members, and anyone passionate about sustainable change.
I think this book is a refreshing and much-needed resource for anyone involved in the nonprofit sector. As someone who worked in two different nonprofit agencies over the course of my career, I understand firsthand how delicate a nonprofit’s reputation can be. One organization I was involved with is now in need of major restructuring, and I’ve recently been invited to join the board to help steer that process. The emotional toll of this work is real—operating a nonprofit often feels like being on a relentless rollercoaster. Teaster’s insights are practical, honest, and grounded in experience. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges but instead offers strategies and hope. His storytelling and leadership approach resonate strongly with those of us who’ve been in the trenches. I especially appreciate the emphasis on combining business expertise with a servant leadership mindset. I am now retired but active as a consultant, I see this book as an invaluable tool I can reference and share. Highly recommended for nonprofit professionals, board members, and anyone passionate about sustainable change.
June 7, 2025
Life as a leader sometimes feels like being in a plane—sometimes it's a calm and enjoyable ride, but other times turbulence comes, and you feel like everything might go wrong. This book has been a great source of inspiration. As a new leader, I am trying to understand the role, and this book has offered me the right guidance through it.
I like to understand how to navigate the turbulence before it arrives. This book provides personal anecdotes— for me, the most important insights, as experience is the only way to learn. The leadership insights are key points for my day-to-day improvement and the key to starting when I don’t know what to do. The actionable strategies are ones I use straight away.
This book expands on the importance of collaboration—you are not alone. The cherry on top is transparency. I really appreciate that they embrace transparency at all times, especially during turbulence.
For new or experienced leaders, this book is a great navigation guide.
I like to understand how to navigate the turbulence before it arrives. This book provides personal anecdotes— for me, the most important insights, as experience is the only way to learn. The leadership insights are key points for my day-to-day improvement and the key to starting when I don’t know what to do. The actionable strategies are ones I use straight away.
This book expands on the importance of collaboration—you are not alone. The cherry on top is transparency. I really appreciate that they embrace transparency at all times, especially during turbulence.
For new or experienced leaders, this book is a great navigation guide.
June 7, 2025
A helpful and necessary guide
The topic of leadership embraces continuous challenges as time goes by. For this reason, leaders should be updated with concepts, ideas or projects. Buddy Teaster has written “From Tailspin to Tailwind” to give readers clarity of decision among crises.
In every chapter, the author explains situations that may happen in any business with their possible solutions. He also gives advice about ways of becoming successful at work. Throughout the pages, readers will find real-world examples, anecdotes and people's insights to allow readers see the picture clearly and simply. Those examples show readers the importance of learning from mistakes, reinventing, being resilient and patient when things go wrong, so in a way, it gives business people hope and encouragement. All in all, this is a complete and well-written guide that will help business people in their paths. I definitely recommend it.
The topic of leadership embraces continuous challenges as time goes by. For this reason, leaders should be updated with concepts, ideas or projects. Buddy Teaster has written “From Tailspin to Tailwind” to give readers clarity of decision among crises.
In every chapter, the author explains situations that may happen in any business with their possible solutions. He also gives advice about ways of becoming successful at work. Throughout the pages, readers will find real-world examples, anecdotes and people's insights to allow readers see the picture clearly and simply. Those examples show readers the importance of learning from mistakes, reinventing, being resilient and patient when things go wrong, so in a way, it gives business people hope and encouragement. All in all, this is a complete and well-written guide that will help business people in their paths. I definitely recommend it.
June 4, 2025
I found this book incredibly valuable; it is full of practical lessons on how to lead during difficult times. What I liked the most is how the author shares real examples of turning challenges into opportunities. It’s easy to understand but also very powerful.
One idea that stuck with me is that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about staying calm, clear, and focused when others feel lost. This part was really amazing!
I also liked how the book talks about building trust and using communication as a tool for clarity, not just control. It made me reflect on my own leadership style and how I interact with my team. I highly recommend this book to anyone leading a team, big or small.
One idea that stuck with me is that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about staying calm, clear, and focused when others feel lost. This part was really amazing!
I also liked how the book talks about building trust and using communication as a tool for clarity, not just control. It made me reflect on my own leadership style and how I interact with my team. I highly recommend this book to anyone leading a team, big or small.
June 6, 2025
I loved this book! As a leader, I often question myself if a crisis comes, how would I lead with this and I am very afraid of not knowing how to deal with it, that's why I got this book. It is incredible to read the whole trajectory of the author and how he has dealt with very complex moments that in any person would have meant to give up that dream of entrepreneurship and create your business. I find this book very interesting because it does not only tell a personal story and leave learning, but also gives you strategies and tips to get out of these moments of crisis that we all live in at some point. It has a very complete vision of leadership that will really help you to generate changes in your company.
June 5, 2025
Organizational failure is probably the last thing any business leader wants to deal with but it doesn’t necessarily have to spell disaster. In From Tailspin to Tailwind by the author, president and CEO Buddy Teaster, we get an inside look at how the nonprofit organization Soles4Soles turned their “tailspin” into unexpected success. I appreciated the book’s strong focus on making a positive societal and environmental impact. This book is important for anyone in a leadership or entrepreneurial role. We never know when a crisis will hit, but we don’t have to succumb to it, and with this book, you will have tools to ensure that this doesn’t happen. I am giving this book five out of five stars.
June 9, 2025
Great Book
I found this book simply incredible. From the moment I saw the cover, I knew I was about to embark on a unique journey where I would feel like I was investing in myself. The cover is truly inspiring and invites the reader to dive into the adventure.
One of the aspects that caught my attention the most is the structure and the way the book is written. I believe you can open it at any page and find valuable lessons that, while primarily focused on the professional realm, also apply to personal life.
The language is clear, concise, and also encourages self-reflection. It’s a great book, and I highly recommend it.
I found this book simply incredible. From the moment I saw the cover, I knew I was about to embark on a unique journey where I would feel like I was investing in myself. The cover is truly inspiring and invites the reader to dive into the adventure.
One of the aspects that caught my attention the most is the structure and the way the book is written. I believe you can open it at any page and find valuable lessons that, while primarily focused on the professional realm, also apply to personal life.
The language is clear, concise, and also encourages self-reflection. It’s a great book, and I highly recommend it.
June 8, 2025
I found this read to be really valuable. The lessons here aren’t dressed up in fancy jargon; they’re practical, battle-tested, and immediately applicable. Whether it’s communicating transparently with stakeholders, empowering team members to lead, or recognizing the importance of humility, every chapter has something valuable to offer.
This book also stands out for how it bridges personal storytelling with professional strategy. Teaster shares not only what worked for his team but how he personally wrestled with doubt, change, and responsibility.
This book also stands out for how it bridges personal storytelling with professional strategy. Teaster shares not only what worked for his team but how he personally wrestled with doubt, change, and responsibility.
July 12, 2025
good read
This book delivers exactly what it promises, a guide for turning organizational failure into opportunity. The leadership strategies Teaster shares are clear and grounded in experience. His focus on transparency and regaining trust especially resonated with me. I’ve already recommended it to two colleagues who are navigating leadership transitions.
This book delivers exactly what it promises, a guide for turning organizational failure into opportunity. The leadership strategies Teaster shares are clear and grounded in experience. His focus on transparency and regaining trust especially resonated with me. I’ve already recommended it to two colleagues who are navigating leadership transitions.
July 15, 2025
A recipe for success
Speaking in metaphoric terms, this book takes its readers through the journey of saving and keeping up the mission, as well as, the reputation of a business on the up and up. I enjoyed this book and I think any entrepeneur or business minded person would likely gain insights from it.
Speaking in metaphoric terms, this book takes its readers through the journey of saving and keeping up the mission, as well as, the reputation of a business on the up and up. I enjoyed this book and I think any entrepeneur or business minded person would likely gain insights from it.
July 15, 2025
The storytelling in From Tailspin to Tailwind kept me engaged throughout. I appreciated the real-world examples and the voices of other contributors woven into the chapters. This is built on lived experience, and the lessons feel actionable. My only wish is that it included more tools or templates for applying the strategies.
July 17, 2025
Good guidance
I felt energized after finishing this book. This read is about creating something better than before. Teaster’s journey reminded me why I started working in the social impact space to begin with. Whether you're facing a crisis or just need a leadership reset, this book offers guidance with heart and grit.
I felt energized after finishing this book. This read is about creating something better than before. Teaster’s journey reminded me why I started working in the social impact space to begin with. Whether you're facing a crisis or just need a leadership reset, this book offers guidance with heart and grit.
July 11, 2025
✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2025
I like the quote “Many receive advice, only the wise profit, from it”. A great format in each chapter. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
December 3, 2025
Truly effective leaders maintain the trust of their employees, team members, colleagues (however they are referred to) when they can stay calm, not overreact, take decisive actions and, somewhat more important, keep their staff aware of what is happening, being transparent, honest, and leaving the door open for discussion. This can be tough in a climate where leadership or administration want to keep the lid on sensitive information, but a good leader can be forthright without devulging too much and putting their own careers at stake. This book helps current leaders, or those looking to be in a leadership role, how to manage these scenarios, remain a good human being, not lie to their team, and uphold the company in tense situations. A good read!
Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway
Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews