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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
Two veteran executive coaches dispel the myth of one-size-fits-all leadership, showing instead how truly successful leaders allow themselves to be endlessly curious and inquisitive--the key to finding the strategies and insights that transform organizations.
In an age where self-proclaimed experts say there's a right and wrong way to do nearly everything, leaders are desperate to find the magic formula for success. Seasoned executive coaches John Baird and Edward Sullivan searched for this ideal, combing through their own experiences and those of their clients to uncover common behaviors, tactics, and lessons that could offer insight.
But in the hundreds of interviews with leaders and their teams, they found that the key to successful leadership is not following in some predetermined path. Instead, they observed that every leader has their own playbook, one they developed by gaining unique insights about themselves and their teams.
These See Change Leaders, as Baird and Sullivan call them, carry an extra degree of self-awareness and empathy, and recognize the potential for change and growth in themselves and others. By consistently asking themselves the right questions, the questions the authors explore in this book, See Change Leaders learn to SEE themselves and others a little more clearly, and in turn develop their own unique magic formula for leadership.
No matter where you are in your career, this book is your launch point to becoming a See Change Leader. By encouraging you to ignore outdated "leadership hacks" and embrace introspection and growth, Leading with Heart guides you to ask the right questions and find your own answers.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 can create a leadership game-plan that is authentic to you and brings out the best in those around you.
In an age where self-proclaimed experts say there's a right and wrong way to do nearly everything, leaders are desperate to find the magic formula for success. Seasoned executive coaches John Baird and Edward Sullivan searched for this ideal, combing through their own experiences and those of their clients to uncover common behaviors, tactics, and lessons that could offer insight.
But in the hundreds of interviews with leaders and their teams, they found that the key to successful leadership is not following in some predetermined path. Instead, they observed that every leader has their own playbook, one they developed by gaining unique insights about themselves and their teams.
These See Change Leaders, as Baird and Sullivan call them, carry an extra degree of self-awareness and empathy, and recognize the potential for change and growth in themselves and others. By consistently asking themselves the right questions, the questions the authors explore in this book, See Change Leaders learn to SEE themselves and others a little more clearly, and in turn develop their own unique magic formula for leadership.
No matter where you are in your career, this book is your launch point to becoming a See Change Leader. 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 can create a leadership game-plan that is authentic to you and brings out the best in those around you.
- GenresLeadershipBusiness
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2022
44 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
John Baird
40 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John[2 space] Baird: aka John Baird of Dublin, British clergyman
John[2 space] Baird: aka John Baird of Dublin, British clergyman
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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