Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader

by Ash Beckham

A New Vision of Inclusive Leadership

What makes someone a leader? Someone you vote for, work for, or listen to for their expertise? With Step Up, equality advocate Ash Beckham challenges us to embrace a different vision of leadership―to stop focusing on external authorities and start reclaiming our own ability to create change. “What we need most are everyday leaders,” she writes. “We need people to step up and be the change they wish to see in the world. Anyone can do it. You can do it.”

Whether your path involves activism, political engagement, or simply being a positive voice in your workplace, home, and community, Beckham’s Step Up provides essential guidance on cultivating the eight pillars of everyday

- Empathy―the art of relating to others with compassion for our shared humanity, regardless of whether we agree
- Responsibility―how we can raise our awareness and consciously choose to behave in ways that heal instead of harm
- Courage―understanding the nature of fear so we can move beyond our comfort zone one step at a time
- Grace―how keeping our higher purpose always in sight helps us stop reacting with fear or anger
- Individuality―learning to value and celebrate our uniqueness, including the parts of ourselves we often reject
- Humility―ways to keep the ego in check and open the door to honest, collaborative relationships
- Patience―guidance for disarming our tendency to rush ahead so we can act with greater deliberation and forethought
- Authenticity―how we can embody our deepest truths and lead by example in any situation

For each pillar, Beckham shares engaging stories of her own journey from isolation and anger to a place of greater openness and connection―supported by scientific research and everyday practices to mindfully change the way you relate to yourself and the people in your life. Step Up is a powerful call to action―to speak when it feels easier to be silent, to do good without being self-righteous, and to create a world of inclusion where everyone has a voice and everyone belongs.

Genres: Nonfiction

168 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2020

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of days ago, I attended JP Morgan Chase's PowerHER event in Seattle where Ash was the keynote speaker. She led us through an authenticity exercise that still has me thinking about it and I've shared it with 3 other people thus far. The more I share the more I remember, yes?! My partner for the exercises was a stranger before but now we've shared tears together and if all goes well, we'll see each other at some point in the future.

Anyway, this book is fine. A couple of the stories are the same as Ash told on stage. I appreciate her candor and her experiences in how to show up authentically. I especially liked the story she tells about the Trump election and bridging the divide. Ash has the power to motivate. I'm actively trying to incorporate her message into my daily and work life.

[Pursuing The Happy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose this book is trying to build the "everyday leader" and redefine what it means to be a leader, but overall I wasn't quite convinced by the author. I think the book was largely focused on just being present, building relationships, being a better person. While those are very important things to develop, and help build you into a better leader, I didn't quite think that the book emphasized ways to make you a "leader". It will help you be more outspoken, connect with others more, and believe in yourself, but there needs to be more in terms of leadership (leading an idea, and group, etc.). I feel like these aspects of the definition of leadership can't be overlooked that easily.
Self-help books are hard to write, I know. You constantly need insightful stories that capture your reader's attention, and connect you to them. While it was written alright, this one didn't fully do it for me.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonated with me and where I am in life. The book hits on many points in life, those tough spots that we are challenged with overcoming. I found the book to be on point with embracing your inner leadership. “What we need most are everyday leaders,” she writes. “We need people to step up and be the change they wish to see in the world. Anyone can do it. You can do it.”

[Sara Whitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical & relatable

If you want to learn how to be a better version of yourself & how to bring out the better versions of the people around you, then this book is for you.

[Kathryn Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well thought out; well written. A lot of common sense mixed in with thought provoking questions. Fairly quick read that keeps your attention throughout

[Cherisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking forward to watching Ash’s Ted talks