Leadership by Design. The Essential Guide to Transforming You as a Leader.

by Aga Szóstek

Every leader is different; there is no one-size-fits-all solution that someone can copy. Leaders are human, with different personalities, personal preferences, and styles of communication, meaning that no two leaders can be the same. Instead of prescribing constrictive frameworks to force the reader into a cookie-cutter style of leadership, Leadership by Design acts as a mentor, guiding them towards finding their own unique style of leadership.

This book is crafted as a self-development journey, providing the tools that one needs - no matter whether they’re a CEO, a community leader, a freelancer or something entirely different - to find out what leadership means to them. Balancing cutting-edge theory with useful tips, data, and tasks, this self-guided course will help facilitate a transformation towards becoming the type of leader the reader has always believed they can be.

Nobody is born a leader - we grow to be one.

Genres: Psychology

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2022

About the author

Aga Szóstek, Ph.D. is a strategic designer and author of the books "The Umami Strategy" and "Leadership by Design". For the last two decades, she has worked with leading companies combining design, technology, and business. She also mentors leaders and management in the field of strategic change.

In addition to consulting, Aga designs tools to support the delivery of unique experiences as well as undergoing personal and professional transformations and co-hosts a podcast: Catching The Next Wave .. She is also the founding partner of the World Experience Organization.

Reviews

[Arleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book twice - first out of curiosity - design and leadership...? The second was with full awareness of the goal I wanted to achieve - going through all the challenges step by step - and I can say that it was worth it. The book in a very thoughtful way leads through various aspects of leadership, first and foremost from a human perspective, because ultimately what kind of leaders we are depends on what kind of people we are - to ourselves and to others.
Written very pleasantly, without pomp and grand theories introducing complex topics that can be worked out effectively by following the instructions in the challenges. A vast source of inspiration and a great next lesson on my way to being a better version of myself and thus a professionally and privately fulfilled person. I highly recommend it!

[Ruud Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Umami Strategy by the same author, this book is a refreshing perspective on finding your leadership cadence and style. Transforming as a result of the learning leaders have over time, this book allows you to reflect as you read. Ahaa to haha moments abound in this read.

[Bartosz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few weeks ago, I finished reading "Leadership by Design" by Aga Szóstek. This is one of the few management books that I know I will read many more times.

"Leadership by Design" makes you think about yourself, about the way you work, not only in the professional field but also in your private life.

This is a demanding position and one that will force everyone to a huge commitment, ultimately paying off with great results. It is a journey through yourself, accompanied by difficult questions and observations that Aga asks you in the book.

You will not find here ready-made schemes of action, but questions and tasks that will lead you to deep reflection.

A must-have for anyone who creates and manages teams. But also for anyone who just wants to become a better version of themselves.

I would highly recommend it.

[Krzysztof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dobry lider powinien być...

…empatyczny, stanowczy, roztropny, znający swoich ludzi, znający własne mocne strony, znający swoje słabe strony, dobrze zorganizowany, pełny samodyscypliny, uważny, uczciwy, skuteczny w komunikacji, optymistycznie nastawiony, pełny pasji, charyzmatyczny, cały czas rozwijający się, zmotywowany i umiejący motywować, dotrzymujący obietnic, odporny na stres, czytający pięćdziesiąt książek rocznie...

Stop, uff, można tak bez końca.

Gdyby pozbierać tylko wpisy z jednego tygodnia, pojawiające się na tablicach LinkedIn, dotyczące tego jaki lieder być powinien, można by stworzyć 1000 stronicową książkę pełną przymiotników, często wzajemnie wykluczających się, lub napisać 10 000 artykułów typu ,,7 cech prawdziwego lidera!''.

Lider to modna etykieta, słowo wytrych, które szturmem wdarło się na salony zarządzania i biznesu.

Metoda naukowa ma duży problem z jasnym określeniem niezawodnych, uniwersalnych i kluczowych cech dobrego lidera, które mogłyby stanowić receptę na to, jak nim być.

Nie ma za to problemu z tym, żeby określić wiele przydatnych, uniwersalnych oraz skutecznych mechanizmów pracy nad sobą i z innymi ludźmi w zarządzaniu.

Podpowiedzi typu jak być, mają na celu sprzedać ci magiczną tożsamość, najlepiej kogoś, kto wielkim liderem był, często z pominięciem tożsamości twojej własnej.

Możesz im zaufać, a możesz też wybrać inną drogę.

Drogę tego nie jak być, ale jak się czymś dobrze zajmować.

I nie musisz czytać wcale 50 książek rocznie, tak ja w zwyczaju mają podobno inni - wielcy liderzy, żeby to osiągnąć!

Wystarczy ci jedna!

Jedna, ale za to wyjątkowa.

,,Zostań liderem, jakim chcesz!'' - Aga Szóstek- wydawnictwo MT Biznes

Każdy lider jest inny; nie ma jednego, uniwersalnego rozwiązania, które ktoś mógłby skopiować.

Liderzy to ludzie, mają różne osobowości, osobiste preferencje i style komunikacji, co oznacza, że nie ma dwóch takich samych liderów.

Zamiast przepisywać ograniczające ramy, aby zmusić czytelnika do przyjęcia prostego stylu przywództwa, książka pełni mentorskiego drogowskazu, prowadząc go w kierunku znalezienia własnego, unikalnego stylu przywództwa.

Tę książkę napisano jako podróż w kierunku samorozwoju, dostarczającą narzędzi, których każdy potrzebuje – niezależnie od tego, czy jest dyrektorem generalnym, liderem społeczności, freelancerem czy kimś zupełnie innym – aby dowiedzieć się, co oznacza dla niego przywództwo.

Balansując najnowocześniejszą teorię z przydatnymi wskazówkami, danymi i zadaniami, ten kurs do samodzielnego prowadzenia pomoże ułatwić transformację w kierunku zastania typem lidera, jakim czytelnik zawsze wierzył, że może być.

,,Nikt nie rodzi się liderem – stajemy się nim''

Ja już zamówiłem, podobno na książkach się trochę znam, a mam solidne podstawy do tego, żeby twierdzić, że to nie tylko książka o liderach i mądrym liderowaniu.

Prawdopodobnie już jesteś liderem jakim chcesz być, tylko jeszcze o tym nie wiesz.

Ta książka jest właśnie o tobie!

[Urszula Kluz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last autumn I was hungry: I was wandering, sniffing, groping for answers to the questions: How to strengthen and validate tenderness/gentleness in professional life? What is the cost of being deeply listening to the needs of the team (as a whole and as individuals), the customer, your own, and who actually benefits from it? At that time, I also lacked leaders in my everyday life (teams, changes - it doesn't matter) with whom I could talk about how to weave this absolutely unique style of leadership, paying attention to the world around us, and not hurting either myself or my companions.

And then the book "Leadership by design!" was published. Convinced by the successes that always resulted from "using" the umami strategy, went into it with all my strength. And I took a friend with me :)

The book is divided into 12 chapters/weeks, which consist of texts (the number of research and cultural texts cited is impressive and well-written) and practical tasks. So our entire half-year was full of evening reading, morning exercises, lively discussions, experimenting, scrupulously destroying unsupportive beliefs, reevaluating, building and testing new habits. All this to (re)build your own (!) style, good for yourself and your surroundings.

And to be honest, the methods from the book not only help you control calendar and tasks (yes, I finally control the calendar, and not it controlling me), they brilliantly improve communication with people, but they are also great at taming and coming to terms with your own desires and needs. You can end the whole cycle with the cool ability to look at your own style as if it were transparent plasticine, which you can freely and truly shape, and through which you can see the world perfectly.

Dear friends, this book is a journey worth taking. It's also good to take someone with you to be proud of and enjoy watching them grow. I highly recommend

[Marta Musioł · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true TOOLKIT for anyone who manages — whether you’re just stepping into your leadership shoes or have been wearing them for a while. It’s written in a practical way for leaders, so everyone can find something useful in this guide.

It’s full of research from sociology 💪, psychology, and neuroscience.
It’s packed with engaging exercises, organized into a 12-week logical leadership training, culminating in your very own, personalized leadership style. And all of this is anchored in a real-world pilot project!

A ready-to-use leadership program, served on a silver platter!

For those who want to:
1️⃣ Understand what kind of leader they want to be and which style feels most natural,
2️⃣ Find their own way of acting, tailored to what they do and who they work with,
3️⃣ Lead with a clear vision of themselves and their team,
4️⃣ Broaden their leadership perspective,
5️⃣ Build trust in themselves and their decisions,
6️⃣ Act boldly and purposefully without losing themselves or their team,
7️⃣ Have a positive impact,
8️⃣ Make smart choices about who to work with and build relationships with —

…this is leadership wabi-sabi 🙂.

PS: Another great feature of the book is its beautiful design and highly readable layout! That velvety paper gives me total wow. The font too. And the gold embossing 🙃.

For more, check out the book!

[Agnieszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book with a sense of relief. As someone who had a chance to work as a leader I felt obliged to follow best practises and copy things that other leaders around me did to be successful and it never felt just right (not mentioning that often it generated results different than expected). The thought that I could design a style of leadership that allows me to be true to myslef - uses my strengths and helps me overcome my own limitations in a personal, deeply human way - was refreshing and freeing. I liked the practical aspect of the book - not only sharig a different view on leadership but also giving tips and tasks on how the reader can work on specific aspects of their own style, designed as set of 12-week self-development course. It made me not only understand what I read better but allowed me to apply it immediately. I also got a sense that you don't need to be a leader in an organization to benefit from reading this book - all of us lead in some area of our life (family, small business...) and could always improve to avoid frustration, miscommunication or burnout.
And additional perk: it's beautifly publish and well written. Real pleasure to read.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you design your own leadership style? Can you grow to be a leader?

In her book, Leadership by Design, Aga Szóstek says yes and guides you through the process of finding your unique way. It is more of a self-development journey workbook - that you can digest and reflect on, peace by peace. 
There are just enough theories, tips, exercises, questions, data, etc. to allow you to pick and choose what resonates with you. Topics such as defining your purpose, vision and rhythm, building trust and long lasting relationships, decision making and healthy influencing, building resilience help you look at leadership from different angles.

The book is great to work through on your own and also great to do with a group of study buddies.

I highly recommend the book and programme - the effort is worth the invaluable results.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

All-transformative-must-read not only for leaders but for all who those who want to become the best possible versions of themselves.

Aga has this unique ability of synthesis, of pinning down even the most daunting and complex concepts and phenomena.

Her writing and humour make the reading an exciting adventure of self-discovery and unique eye-opening experience.

Caution! You’re never the same before and after the read.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a completely different book about being a good leader! Thanks to it, I understood, among other things, that impostor syndrome can be overcome by generosity, and not only towards others, but also towards yourself! The book is a very quick read! It took me one afternoon and evening. I recommend it to anyone who wants to open up to an interesting perspective on team management.

[Mat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the format of this book. Each chapter serves as a weeklong leadership development course. Together the chapters walk you through a step by step process to intentionally become a better leader. Excellent read with actionable steps all along the way.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always no time to work on ourselves. But what if other people's work and well-being depend on us? This book is a great opportunity to design your way, how to become a good leader.