The Leader's Mind: How Great Leaders Prepare, Perform, and Prevail

by Jim Afremow, Phil White (With)

Clear and concise steps to develop the confidence and mental edge that sets you apart as a trailblazing leader - the same approach thousands of professional athletes have used to become champions.

The 'LEADER'S MIND' taps into the same tips and techniques honed by top-tier athletes, such as how to get in a zone, thrive on a team, and stay humble, to become a champion at work and the ultimate team player at home.

Based on high-performance psychology research and Dr. Jim Afremow's two decades of experience providing mental training services across the globe to athletes and business leaders, 'THE LEADER'S MIND' will help you

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Valuable leadership lessons through powerful parables and stories from well-known leaders.
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The actionable steps leaders must take to change their thinking and become the leader they want to be.
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The necessary mindset to push through the challenges you face and take control of the direction your career and home life are taking.
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Tips and techniques to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and challenges in order to excel.

Stop struggling with the expectations you face at work and at home by fundamentally changing the way you process what's happening in your life. The mental edge that sets elite athletes apart outlined in this book will help you become the champion leader you want to be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Business, Self Help

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this book. I think it began when it mentioned the leadership qualities of Jesus and his brethren.

I wonder if it’s feasible for people to get refunds for books they don’t like.

[Jason Frasca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I did get many pearls from this read and the stories it contains. The organization and flow though, confuses me. Each section is an interview with a leader, expert on a leader (such as Marcus Aurelius), or a narrative summary of the leader's pertinent history. I can appreciate this approach, but it's often challenging to follow the commentary. Is it the narrator/author talking? Or the interviewee? At times, it seems like the level of granular detail for each person does not add value to the discussion, but of course this is the judgment call. Further some sections read like they are simply summaries of other books.

The final conclusion seems like a mishmash of the varying topics and leaders. The discussion and flow seems to blend concepts between the primary experts that have been mentioned earlier in the book. While I can understand this approach, to me it negates the authenticity of each leader. It also does not add up to a cohesive read in my mind. Further, some aspects are added to the conclusion that have not been mentioned earlier in the book, such as the 10,000 hour rule.

On a positive note, I do appreciate and agree with the key themes throughout – building a positive culture and empowering your team. Because I think there are pearls throughout, but I think the organization flow could use some improvement, I have chosen three stars.

The comments above are mine without influence.

[Tiesha Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people are thrusted into it, others rise to the occasion - no matter your reason for picking up this book Jim Afrewmow shows readers how they can harness a leader’s mindset.

Across eight chapters Afrewmow uncovers strategies adopted by high performing leaders within an emergency service, sporting, neuroscience, aviation and corporate setting. Leaders including All Black’s strength and conditioning coach Nic Gill, neurosurgeon Katrina Firlik and philanthropist Daniel Lubetzky. By showcasing a broad scope of leadership in action The Leader’s Mind provides a wealth of transferable knowledge that readers immediately implement in their daily lives.

Stand out features include:
- The qualities, traits and strategies of servant-leaders
- Leading without personal gain
- Stoicism and how its principles guide leadership
- Practical leadership reflections
- The leadership pledge

Big thank you to Netgalley for the eARC for The Leader’s Mind, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that humanised leadership and transparently demonstrates servant-leadership and its ability to improve ourselves and guide, develop and empower others to make a positive difference in their lives.

[Jenni Bybee]

Starting to implement more empowering, non-fiction, leadership type books into the system. This book was okay- nice accolades by influential people and a few good takeaways from each. Found this one exciting because Steve Kerr is interviewed and mentions his good pal, Pete Carroll, my fave, helping in his leadership journey. Loved to understand more of Carroll’s mindset cause you know, he’s my boy and Seahawks are my lifeee. BUT not to be super nit picky here- the author mentions the Seahawks winning their first Super Bowl title in 2005, and that’s simply not true. While I wish that were the case (the more rings the betta) I can’t fully digest everything with accuracy and certainty… Semantics, am I riteeee

[Janine Sneed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. It was the stories that put the leadership principles into practice that made this book so great.


- Declare your values to make decision making easier
- Know your trigger points so you pause, reflect, and can respond
- Everyone wants to be part of something
- Gratitude gets you through tough times
- Master mental skills
- Give people responsibility to make decisions. They own the result, too.
- Learn how not to be offended
- Pull don’t push
- Redirect stress and anxiety (walk)
- Compartmentalize problems
- Respect all team members, even those with the least experience
- Be like a stoic: courage, wisdom, temperance, justice

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came searching for common ties and threads that "great" leaders share. Instead it was a disjointed collection of interview transcripts that don't really offer much insight at all. It read and felt like a psych 101 research project instead of a transformational tool for anyone looking to tap into a leader mindset or to learn new things.

[Arun Narayanaswamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well structured book on leadership principles. Goes deep into the subject via relatable stories.
Though all stories touch or or the other key aspects of leadership, the stories itself are incomplete. It makes you look at other resources to figure out what really happened in that situation. It would have been better to complete a story than to just pick on leadership keywords

[David Fredh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enspiring read with stories about leaders from various fields such as sports, business etc. Leadership is very much about knowing your self, your vision and how to coach and collaborate with your team.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories but wasn't overwhelmed with new ideas or knowledge. I really like Jim and what he has to say in general, so always good to hear his conversations with som estrong leaders.

[Jason Korn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Definitely some good nuggets buried in this book but overall, nothing too great.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful collection of inspirational stories of leaders applying key skills resulting in building strong teams and successful business ventures.