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Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You
Real connections within teams can create a culture shift for an entire company. Leading Below the Surface illustrates this vision, taking a radical stance against the "surface-ness" of corporate culture and exploring how highly rewarded behaviors are actually destroying organizations, blocking us all from creating truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures of belonging.
This book is not a step-by-step instructional guide or dry academic theory. With a foreword by Amy Edmondson, author and Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School, this book is inspired by organizational culture research, social psychology and neuroscience frameworks. Leading Below the Surface is a compass for the purpose-driven and forward-thinking leader. It merges true stories from the lived experiences of culture leader LaTonya Wilkins with actionable insights backed by dynamic interdisciplinary research. Just like she has done for hundreds of coaching and organizational clients, LaTonya effectively coaches you through this transformation through each engaging chapter.
Leading Below the Surface disrupts the way we think about traditional leadership standards and the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have failed to make lasting change. The wisdom in these pages is powerful enough to not only change the way we think about corporate culture, but will instantly activate opportunities for the individual looking to advance their career while remaining authentic to who they are.
What you will learn in this
You will learn how to create true cultures of belonging by leading below the surface, and through building real relationships with people who are different from you. Think of it as DEI 2.0. We all want to get there.
You will learn how to make meaningful shifts to foster real belonging within your teams through practicing empathy, psychological safety, and REAL leadership.
Individual You will learn how to advance your career while remaining authentic to who you are. You will also learn new ways to influence real personal and professional belonging in the workplace.
HR, DEI Leaders, and other related You will learn how to create real cultures of belonging so you can take all of your DEI efforts to the next level.
This book is not a step-by-step instructional guide or dry academic theory. With a foreword by Amy Edmondson, author and Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School, this book is inspired by organizational culture research, social psychology and neuroscience frameworks. Leading Below the Surface is a compass for the purpose-driven and forward-thinking leader. It merges true stories from the lived experiences of culture leader LaTonya Wilkins with actionable insights backed by dynamic interdisciplinary research. Just like she has done for hundreds of coaching and organizational clients, LaTonya effectively coaches you through this transformation through each engaging chapter.
Leading Below the Surface disrupts the way we think about traditional leadership standards and the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have failed to make lasting change. The wisdom in these pages is powerful enough to not only change the way we think about corporate culture, but will instantly activate opportunities for the individual looking to advance their career while remaining authentic to who they are.
What you will learn in this
You will learn how to create true cultures of belonging by leading below the surface, and through building real relationships with people who are different from you. Think of it as DEI 2.0. We all want to get there.
You will learn how to make meaningful shifts to foster real belonging within your teams through practicing empathy, psychological safety, and REAL leadership.
Individual You will learn how to advance your career while remaining authentic to who you are. You will also learn new ways to influence real personal and professional belonging in the workplace.
HR, DEI Leaders, and other related You will learn how to create real cultures of belonging so you can take all of your DEI efforts to the next level.
198 pages, Hardcover
Published October 4, 2021
38 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 11, 2021
Disclosure: the author is a close friend.
Adopting the "leading below the surface" framework will be a game-changer for organizations and institutions of all sizes. Wilkins outlines her approach, grounded in research and practice, with complete honesty and remarkable authenticity. Her carefully designed framework creates opportunities to build real, lasting relationships that create a sense of belonging and build loyalty for all employees, but particularly those who may have underrepresented identities in their workplace. The exercises in this book are helpful for reflecting on your own leadership and making incremental change within your own teams. I can't recommend this book enough for seasoned or emerging leaders.
Adopting the "leading below the surface" framework will be a game-changer for organizations and institutions of all sizes. Wilkins outlines her approach, grounded in research and practice, with complete honesty and remarkable authenticity. Her carefully designed framework creates opportunities to build real, lasting relationships that create a sense of belonging and build loyalty for all employees, but particularly those who may have underrepresented identities in their workplace. The exercises in this book are helpful for reflecting on your own leadership and making incremental change within your own teams. I can't recommend this book enough for seasoned or emerging leaders.
May 14, 2025
I really wanted to like this book....
.....but it really fell flat for me. "Leading Below the Surface" spent more time referring to getting below the surface than I felt it was truly doing. I had high expectations for the book, but it fell short of my expectations. The book is filled with personal anecdotes, but lacks real depth in its exploration of leadership concepts. Anyone who knows me knows this next statement will not come as a surprise. The lack of peer-reviewed research to substantiate recommendations and principles made the content feel somewhat superficial. Overall, for me, this book did not provide the insights I hoped for in a leadership book. Keep in mind...these are the opinions of one person so give it a shot and let me know your thoughts.
.....but it really fell flat for me. "Leading Below the Surface" spent more time referring to getting below the surface than I felt it was truly doing. I had high expectations for the book, but it fell short of my expectations. The book is filled with personal anecdotes, but lacks real depth in its exploration of leadership concepts. Anyone who knows me knows this next statement will not come as a surprise. The lack of peer-reviewed research to substantiate recommendations and principles made the content feel somewhat superficial. Overall, for me, this book did not provide the insights I hoped for in a leadership book. Keep in mind...these are the opinions of one person so give it a shot and let me know your thoughts.
October 5, 2021
This book is one you'll want to work through for growth as a leader...and keep on your shelf for tough situations. Wilkins makes the case that empathy and connection in the workplace drive success more effectively than competition and relentlessness, and they make for a much healthier (less stressful, more equitable, more fun) work environment. I love that she recognizes diversity and inclusion as a core part of leadership rather than a separate entity.
I'm on board for below the surface leadership, and I think this book has the power to bring humanity into the workplace for those who read it and put these principles into practice.
I'm on board for below the surface leadership, and I think this book has the power to bring humanity into the workplace for those who read it and put these principles into practice.
October 17, 2021
This book is a game changer. It’s a self awareness for leaders and individual contributors. It’s a quest in empathy and understanding. It has real tools that get good thinking started. It’s the beginning of change. If you’re a lifelong learner who cares about people that aren’t like you, if you think you’re an ally, if you want to be one- READ this Book! You will get insights on your quest for better work spaces, cultures and teams.
December 6, 2023
This is a fantastic book for people at the beginning of their internal DEI journey, at a more advanced level, and everyone in between. The author explores the importance of "psychologically safe" workplace environments and relationships, and the role that leadership plays in fostering these areas. It is certainly one of those books that you can read at various points in your life and gain something new each time.
November 5, 2025
Very basic/intro to leadership. Probably new info for corporate settings but not for helping professions
October 4, 2022
Fascinating
One of the most unique and insightful books that I have read in years. I can't wait to start applying the concepts.
One of the most unique and insightful books that I have read in years. I can't wait to start applying the concepts.
February 7, 2023
Required Reading!
This book should be required reading for everyone, whether you're searching for your next best fit, or preparing your organization/ team to be a better fit.
This book should be required reading for everyone, whether you're searching for your next best fit, or preparing your organization/ team to be a better fit.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews