Lead by Example: 50 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Results

by John Baldoni

To be effective, the people in charge must give their team a reason to follow them and work together. Lead by Example reveals the simple things that you can do every day to give your team a reason to believe in and follow your guidance. It would seem easy, but as leadership guru John Baldoni explains, establishing this level of trust in your abilities as a leader takes a lifetime of trying to put it into practice. In his award-winning book, readers will learn how to do this listening for ideas; managing around obstacles; defusing tension; checking their egos; standing up for what they believe in; managing crises; developing team confidence; recruiting good people; effectively delivering bad news; handling defeat; and even engaging their enemies. Great leadership requires decisiveness, authority, conviction, compassion, and, most important, the ability to set the right example. Filled with examples of visionary leaders who have overcome their own shortcomings and achieved greatness, Lead by Example will show readers how to build trust, drive results, and win the respect of the people they lead.

Genres: Leadership, Business

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2008

About the author

John Baldoni is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and author of 16 books that have been translated into ten languages.

John’s thought leadership is reflected in his writing as well as his choice of media: columns, videos and books. John also integrates piano improvisations into his keynotes which he illustrates with his still life photos. John is also the host of LinkedIn Live’s GRACE under pressure interview series, a platform that has enabled him to interview more a hundred global business, academic and thought leaders and doers.

John’s books include Grace Under Pressure: Leading Through Change and Crisis, Grace Notes: Leading in an Upside-Down World, GRACE: A Leader’s Guide to a Better Us, MOXIE: The Secret to Bold and Gutsy Leadership, Lead with Purpose, Lead Your Boss and The Leader’s Pocket Guide. Coming in April 2023 is Grace Under Pressure: Leading Through Change and Crisis.

In 2022, Thinkers 360 named John a Top 10 Thought Leader for both Leadership and Management. Also in 2022, Global Gurus ranked John a Top 20 global leadership expert, a list he has been on since 2007. In 2021, the International Federation of Learning and Development named John a World-Class Mentor and named him to its Hall of Fame. In 2018 Inc.com named John a Top 100 speaker and Trust Across America honored John with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Trust. In 2014 Inc.com listed John as a Top 50 leadership expert.

John is also a member of the renowned 100 Coaches, a group of executive coaches and thought leaders from the worlds of business, academia and social service. 100 Coaches was founded by Marshall Goldsmith.

John established a career as a highly sought-after executive coach, where he has had the privilege of working with senior leaders in virtually every industry from pharmaceutical to real estate, packaged goods to automobiles, and finance to health care.

John has authored more than 800 leadership columns for a variety of online publications including Forbes, Harvard Business Review and Inc.com. John also produced and appears in a video coaching series for SmartBrief, a news channel with over 4 million readers. John is the author and host of two online leadership courses: “Leading through Change & Crisis” and “Leading with Resilience + Grace” for Methods of Leaders/100 Coaches. John’s leadership resource website is www.johnbaldoni.com

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for work, part of required reading. I like the short chapters and little examples spread thru out the book. Some of the little examples could have been more explained. Overall a good read for management and leadership.

[Merrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lead by Example is a compilation of 50 mini-lessons that John Baldoni identifies as key to development of effective leadership. The lessons are separated into four different categories that deal with leadership’s fundamental elements. These include: setting the right example, acting the part, handling the tough stuff, and putting the team first.

What I like most about this book is that Baldoni thoroughly covers the topic of leadership and supports each tip with personal experiences, stories, and potential caveats. Readers are sure to find a variety of areas that will generate improvement if they follow the author’s advice. In so doing, they will undoubtedly, drive their careers and positively impact the team and organization.

[Michael Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished John Baldoni's book Lead by Example: 50 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Results. Good stuff. Baldoni assembled 50 very easy to read lessons that draw on leadership examples from sports, the military, politics, and the business world. Many examples are positive but Baldoni calls out more than a few high profile persons in positions of authority for their failure to lead. The result is a punchy, pithy, and sometimes powerful read.

[Noma Bruton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a straightforward manner, John Baldoni's book is easy to digest in full or in part, as needed. It is a great reference guide to reach for when you need inspiration.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book for those interested in leading by setting the standard themselves.