Rare Leadership in the Workplace: Four Uncommon Habits That Improve Focus, Engagement, and Productivity

by Marcus Warner, Jim Wilder

Revive your leadership. Grow healthy teams. See great results. Healthy teams begin with healthy leaders, and at the heart of this dynamic is emotional maturity—the quality the greatest leaders possess. Combining cutting-edge brain science with decades of counseling and consulting experience, Rare Leadership in the Workplace shows you how to take your leadership and your team to the next level. It will equip you Whether you are burnt out or just looking to improve, this book can help. When you prioritize people and lead from a secure identity, you’ll be amazed at the freedom you feel and the results you see. You can lead from a healthy place, respond rather than react, and build the team of your dreams. If you want to take your organization to the next level, it starts with you. Read Rare Leadership in the Workplace  and be equipped to lead enthusiastic, emotionally mature, relationally connected teams.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, Self Help

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

About the author

MARCUS WARNER (M.Div., Th.M. and D.Min. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the president of Deeper Walk International. He is a former pastor and college professor who has written several books on topics ranging from how to study the Bible to spiritual warfare, emotional healing, and leadership. Marcus has done training events for organizations such as Navigators, Willow Creek Prison Ministry, and Moody Church. He has traveled the world with Deeper Walk equipping people on the front lines of ministry with practical tools for dealing with root issues that keep people and ministries stuck and unable to go deeper into what God has for them

Reviews

[Joe Harrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun for me. Given to me by a client, an owner of a medium sized manufacturing company. I think the owner was very excited to share its the books lessons on maturity. I found myself invested and energized by its simple messaging surrounding confronting fear, shame, and taking ownership of personal weaknesses in order to mature.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rare Leadership in the Workplace brings together neuroscience, emotional maturity, and practical leadership insights to offer a guide aimed at creating healthier leaders and more effective teams. Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder present a compelling case for prioritizing emotional intelligence and relational connection as key ingredients to building sustainable and productive workplace cultures.

The book’s strength lies in its core concepts—particularly the emphasis on leading from a secure identity, choosing response over reaction, and nurturing joy-filled teams. These principles are timely and valuable, especially in an era of workplace burnout and disconnection. The case studies and anecdotes included throughout the book help bring the theory to life, making the message accessible to a broad range of readers—from seasoned managers to emerging team leads.

That said, the delivery does leave something to be desired. The writing style can be clunky at times, and the repeated use of awkward acronyms or initialisms may strike some readers as overly gimmicky. The prose doesn’t always rise to match the value of the content, making it a book that's more insightful than enjoyable. Despite that, the ideas themselves are strong enough to make it a worthwhile read.

Rare Leadership in the Workplace is best suited for readers looking to lead with greater authenticity and emotional awareness. It offers a fresh lens through which to view leadership—one rooted in brain science and relational health rather than performance metrics alone. While the execution may falter in places, the message endures.

Recommended for leaders at any level who are open to introspection, relational development, and a shift away from reactive, burnout-prone leadership styles. Just don’t expect literary finesse—come for the concepts, stay for the application.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book is a quick read but packs a punch. I never thought of maturity as a leadership deminision. "The best leaders are not just visionaries, they are mature people." It sounds intuitive but the book goes into detail in defining levels of maturity and offers ways to measure and improve it. Good book.

[Kacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy ready. Lots of information to digest and really think about as your approach leadership.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a must read for anyone wanting to grow in their leadership.

[Happy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read half. Need to finish. Great book and advice

[Jenilee Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

great leadership read

This read is great for any leader to read and reiterates the positivity that is needed to be a great leader even through the storms

[Geizel Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best leadership book I have read so far.

[Cagefighter18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good short book on the importance of emotional maturity in leadership, for the good of the leader and those he/she leads.

[Kirsten Wothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to healthy leadership that pertains to all types of relationships.