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Leading with Heart: Five Conversations That Unlock Creativity, Purpose, and Results – A WSJ Bestseller and Executive Guide for Building Authentic, High-Morale Teams
As we reach the peak of the Great Resignation, two veteran executive coaches help today's leaders learn how to retain and inspire their teams through the one thing their research has found works: LEADING with HEART.
In these pages, leadership coaches John Baird and Edward Sullivan share hundreds of hours of research and firsthand accounts of guiding leaders at some of the world's most respected big brands and small startups ( Apple, Nike, Google, Slack to name a few).
Through their coaching and research they uncovered the 5 behaviors transformative leaders engage in to connect authentically with their teams:
The key to achieving these behaviors is asking the right questions and having conversations that connect you and your employees on the deepest human level--conversations the authors coach you on how to navigate.
At a time when workplaces are struggling to build high-morale and connected cultures, LEADING with HEART will help leaders to unlock the best version of themselves and those around them with transformative results.
No matter where you are in your career, this book is your launch point to leading with heart. By encouraging you to ignore outdated "leadership hacks" and embrace introspection and growth, Leading with Heart guides you to ask the right questions and find your own answers. Now you too can create a leadership game-plan that is authentic to you and brings out the best in those around you.
In these pages, leadership coaches John Baird and Edward Sullivan share hundreds of hours of research and firsthand accounts of guiding leaders at some of the world's most respected big brands and small startups ( Apple, Nike, Google, Slack to name a few).
Through their coaching and research they uncovered the 5 behaviors transformative leaders engage in to connect authentically with their teams:
The key to achieving these behaviors is asking the right questions and having conversations that connect you and your employees on the deepest human level--conversations the authors coach you on how to navigate.
At a time when workplaces are struggling to build high-morale and connected cultures, LEADING with HEART will help leaders to unlock the best version of themselves and those around them with transformative results.
No matter where you are in your career, this book is your launch point to leading with heart. By encouraging you to ignore outdated "leadership hacks" and embrace introspection and growth, Leading with Heart guides you to ask the right questions and find your own answers. Now you too can create a leadership game-plan that is authentic to you and brings out the best in those around you.
- GenresLeadershipBusiness
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 21, 2022
47 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
John Baird
2 booksJohn Baird is a leadership coach, advisor, and educator dedicated to helping leaders build high-performing teams without sacrificing their humanity. He is widely regarded as one of Silicon Valley’s premier executive coaches, having worked with iconic companies such as Apple, Nike, eBay, Twitter and Hewlett-Packard, as well as the start-up founders of Masterclass, DoorDash, Remitly, and Outreach. He currently serves as a Faculty in Residence at San Jose State University and is the Wall Street Journal bestselling co-author of Leading with Heart: Five Conversations That Unlock Creativity, Purpose and Results (with Edward Sullivan) and the forthcoming Tough Enough: How to Lead a Team to Greatness without Being a Jerk (with Matt Hunter). After transitioning from the chair of Velocity Coaching in January 2025, the firm he co-founded, John now collaborates selectively with founders, CEOs, and boards, primarily in technology (including AI), biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals through his company Edgeman Coaching. He has also expanded his practice to include university presidents and leaders at academic institutions. John is developing an AI-enabled leadership platform with a beta launch planned for Q2 2026. He holds a PhD in Organizational Communication and Leadership from Purdue University and spent 17 years on the faculty at San José University’s College of Business, where he was named Outstanding Professor of the University.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 24, 2022
Is this book valuable for helping you and your team work better? Possibly! I definitely see value in questions the authors pose to help you and your team ‘find your truths’ when it comes to the big important ideas like fear, desire, and purpose. I didn’t come away with any immediate breakthrough discoveries, but I am excited to revisit those questions and try the activities with my team to see how it might help me/us understand our inner drivers and improve the way we work.
Is this book enjoyable to read? No. By the second to last chapter the cringy, over simplified, uninteresting vignettes had me seriously rolling my eyes, reading just to reach the finish line.
Is this book enjoyable to read? No. By the second to last chapter the cringy, over simplified, uninteresting vignettes had me seriously rolling my eyes, reading just to reach the finish line.
August 8, 2022
Having worked with John Baird for many years, I knew any book he chose to create would be full of compelling stories, and practical advice. But ‘Leading with Heart’ is much more than that.
John and his business partner, Edward Sullivan, draw on decades of experience as executive coaches and thought partners to a wide range of executives, across sectors, to bring their best practical advice to each of us individually reading this book.
It’s rare that you get a peak into the leadership challenges of today’s brightest start ups as well as the Apple, Google, NIKE type of mega organizations.
Do I love that the program I led at NIKE is one example of great leadership development cited in the book? Of courseI do! But without John’s partnership, it simply would not have been as effective. And from that initial program, John went on to bring the practice of coaching more broadly to NIKE. This book shows why, and gives the reader their own opportunity to experience some of the inspiration working with John has brought to me as a leader, and to so many organizations.
But this is not just a look in - it’s a well organized journey, looking at those challenges to then looking at ourselves. What kind of leaders are we? How much better could we be? What’s in the way?
We know as leaders, coaches and advisors that honest feedback is the best teacher for all leaders, and where evolution begins. With this book, we all get a chance to apply the tools of feedback ourselves. The best use of this book would be to go chapter by chapter, answering the questions Edward and John pose, as well as journaling reactions to their examples. Then, turn to a few trusted peers, direct reports and close friends and ask their view - is that how you live in the world? Is that how they see you? Even better, use this with a professional coach to accelerate your development.
These will be meaningful conversations that will take you somewhere new. Thank you Edward and John for this important book.
John and his business partner, Edward Sullivan, draw on decades of experience as executive coaches and thought partners to a wide range of executives, across sectors, to bring their best practical advice to each of us individually reading this book.
It’s rare that you get a peak into the leadership challenges of today’s brightest start ups as well as the Apple, Google, NIKE type of mega organizations.
Do I love that the program I led at NIKE is one example of great leadership development cited in the book? Of courseI do! But without John’s partnership, it simply would not have been as effective. And from that initial program, John went on to bring the practice of coaching more broadly to NIKE. This book shows why, and gives the reader their own opportunity to experience some of the inspiration working with John has brought to me as a leader, and to so many organizations.
But this is not just a look in - it’s a well organized journey, looking at those challenges to then looking at ourselves. What kind of leaders are we? How much better could we be? What’s in the way?
We know as leaders, coaches and advisors that honest feedback is the best teacher for all leaders, and where evolution begins. With this book, we all get a chance to apply the tools of feedback ourselves. The best use of this book would be to go chapter by chapter, answering the questions Edward and John pose, as well as journaling reactions to their examples. Then, turn to a few trusted peers, direct reports and close friends and ask their view - is that how you live in the world? Is that how they see you? Even better, use this with a professional coach to accelerate your development.
These will be meaningful conversations that will take you somewhere new. Thank you Edward and John for this important book.
January 13, 2023
An important book in an age where as leaders we really need to rethink how we operate, how we hire, how we manage and how we lead. I particularly liked how the authors help us understand the different leadership types and what motivates them to behave the way they do. I also really appreciate the focus on hiring based on gifts instead of talents and the importance for leaders to operate from a place of purpose and empathy. The practical examples of this book make a compelling case for what's wrong in management today and how many of us need to learn to lead differently. As an executive coach, it's certainly a book I would recommend to clients.
September 27, 2025
Top Leadership Book
In Leading with Heart, the authors share how to create a workplace where people are free to bring their whole selves to work. This creates a culture of engagement, trust, and purpose. The five conversations that unlock creativity, purpose, and results are explored by delving into real, and interesting examples of leaders who use the questions to guide the conversations. I have read numerous leadership books, and this one stands out. I highly recommend it. I received this book as a winner in the publisher's book giveaway. The first question they suggest is, "What do you need to be at your best?" As leaders, all the questions are good to ask yourself!
In Leading with Heart, the authors share how to create a workplace where people are free to bring their whole selves to work. This creates a culture of engagement, trust, and purpose. The five conversations that unlock creativity, purpose, and results are explored by delving into real, and interesting examples of leaders who use the questions to guide the conversations. I have read numerous leadership books, and this one stands out. I highly recommend it. I received this book as a winner in the publisher's book giveaway. The first question they suggest is, "What do you need to be at your best?" As leaders, all the questions are good to ask yourself!
January 4, 2025
I really enjoyed Leading with Heart.
While I'm not a CEO (maybe one day), many of the lessons it taught me I actively apply towards my personal and professional life.
To be an effective leader, or even just effective human, you must have genuine empathy towards others. Understanding someone's needs requires you to actively listen and understand their emotions and perspectives. For someone to share these feelings, there is a level of trust required. To build trust you must be authentic.
The best employees are doing meaningful work, they want to do, and are compensated accordingly. While they may not participate in every decision or idea, they certainly feel heard and valued. Finally, ensure you acknowledge good work and continually find ways to empower others to do all these things.
While I'm not a CEO (maybe one day), many of the lessons it taught me I actively apply towards my personal and professional life.
To be an effective leader, or even just effective human, you must have genuine empathy towards others. Understanding someone's needs requires you to actively listen and understand their emotions and perspectives. For someone to share these feelings, there is a level of trust required. To build trust you must be authentic.
The best employees are doing meaningful work, they want to do, and are compensated accordingly. While they may not participate in every decision or idea, they certainly feel heard and valued. Finally, ensure you acknowledge good work and continually find ways to empower others to do all these things.
April 22, 2024
This book wasn't what I thought it would be, but I was pleasantly surprised with the direction it took. There was a bit of namedropping throughout the book, but it resonated because the stories and lessons were interesting and useful.
May 4, 2023
Very good book and some good ideas and suggestions about leadership. Might look at actually purchasing this book to refer to.
April 27, 2023
I loved this book, one of my favorite leadership books to date. I especially loved the intro, and chapters 1 & 2 (“what do you need to be at your best?” And “what fears are holding you back”) and have found myself thinking, reflecting and applying the mindset, insights and skills I’ve learned while still reading this.
For me the least insightful chapter was chapter 3 (“what desires drive you, and which might derail you?”) - however overall such an interesting and insightful book! Thank you!
For me the least insightful chapter was chapter 3 (“what desires drive you, and which might derail you?”) - however overall such an interesting and insightful book! Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews