Transfluence: How to Lead with Transformative Influence in Today's Climates of Change

by Walt Rakowich

How do you lead with transformative influence in today’s complex world? Lead with Transfluence. Walt Rakowich brings a real-world perspective to leadership that’s based on experience, not just theory. Walt was CEO of Prologis, the world’s largest owner of industrial warehouses and a critical partner to companies distributing products throughout the global supply chain. The company was near bankruptcy when Walt took over at the height of the Great Recession. While leading Prologis back to prominence, and in the years since, Walt realized leaders today must lean into timeless values and principles, but with a fresh perspective on the new realities of our leadership climates. The modern leadership environment exists at the convergence of three distinct and dynamic the climates of access, diversity, and acceleration. On their own or in the aggregate, these climates produce significant opportunities and tensions that will challenge leaders for generations. With a fundamental understanding of these climates, leaders develop a selfless approach that withstands the toughest storms. Transfluence shows leaders how they can have transformative influence by overcoming their fears and pride, building transparency into their leadership, developing a strong core of authentic values, and passionately pursuing a meaningful purpose. When leaders do this, they seize opportunities, embrace challenges, and make their organizations and communities greater than ever.

Genres: Leadership

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2020

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book. I bought it on Audible because I knew I wouldn't have time to sit and read a book and at least I could listen to it while I did my gift wrapping. I have a personal connection to the author as I currently work for Prologis and was in the thick of it during the downturn. Prior to that day I did not know Walt other than hearing his name and I will never forget the day he came to the LA office; this man was so kind, honest, and genuinely compassionate and I really just hung on his every word from that day forward.

My favorite part of this book was the story about an incident that occurred with Walt's dad dealing with a robbery at their family store. I felt that knowing how his father and mother handled themselves during this time really speaks volumes to the character of Walt as a person and why he was so loved as a leader at Prologis.

This book has a lot of really great tools for being a great leader and having a team with the passion to work hard and succeed. I believe in his insights on building a good culture for a good company.
Humility, honesty, and heart is a simple, effective, and often difficult concept to leadership. The heart part of this really differentiates a good leader and a great leader. He says that "heart" spoke to how you treat others and it offered an emphasis on seeing the innate value on a person. "To lead with heart is to love and respect the people around you; not for what they do but for who they are: people, just like you and me." We all want to feel seen and valued.

I am currently in a non-managerial role at Prologis and some might think how this applies to someone who does not manage a team of people but as a whole I feel this book really emphasized the human connection in a digital world. It emphasized the KIND in human kind. I encourage everyone to read this and start living a life with these strong values of honesty, humility, and heart. There are a lot of really powerful nuggets of knowledge for the types of virtues I want to live and work.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. Very easy and enjoyable to read. Lots of tidbits of info. A recap at the end of every chapter to re-think about what you just read.
Lots of fun anecdotes, lots of things to add into how you run your day.

[couchandkitchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

[Steve Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories with insight!