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

by Ash Beckham

Discover the eight pillars of everyday leadership to make a positive impact in your life, community, workplace, and more

Who will step up and change the course of a world that is so full of anger and conflict? Not elected officials or media personalities, but what equality advocate Ash Beckham calls “everyday leaders”—including you. “We are moms and teachers and executives and imams,” she says. “Before we start changing the external world, we need to commit to living fully and completely as our most authentic selves.”

In Step Up, Beckham presents eight pillars to become an everyday leader—Empathy, Responsibility, Courage, Grace, Individuality, Humility, Patience, and Authenticity. For each pillar, she shares engaging stories of her own journey from isolation and anger to a place of greater openness and connection. She then provides eye-opening research on what it takes to build these essential qualities, coupled with practices to mindfully change the way you relate to yourself and the people in your life.

“We all have closets,” says Beckham. “We in the LGBTQ community do not have the closet market cornered.” Though our closets may feel safe, we only become whole and effective when we stop hiding from ourselves and others. 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.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audio CD

Published June 2, 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