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When Everyone Leads: How The Toughest Challenges Are Seen And Solved
This book is not about leadership, at least in the way we normally think about it. Leadership is not about position, or authority.
It’s not about big speeches or grand visions. Leadership is engaging others to solve daunting challenges. Those challenges appear in our professional lives, in our communities, our families—and they seem unsolvable, beyond our ability to see what needs to be done or outside our capacity to make the changes needed. They are not. Because, leadership is an activity—small actions taken in moments of opportunity. And as you start to look around, you can begin to see more of those moments, seize the opportunity in those moments. Most importantly, you can help others see those opportunities too. That’s why everyone can lead and the real power to solve our most important challenges is when everyone leads.
It’s not about big speeches or grand visions. Leadership is engaging others to solve daunting challenges. Those challenges appear in our professional lives, in our communities, our families—and they seem unsolvable, beyond our ability to see what needs to be done or outside our capacity to make the changes needed. They are not. Because, leadership is an activity—small actions taken in moments of opportunity. And as you start to look around, you can begin to see more of those moments, seize the opportunity in those moments. Most importantly, you can help others see those opportunities too. That’s why everyone can lead and the real power to solve our most important challenges is when everyone leads.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2023
81 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 16, 2024
My main takeaways…
- Unfortunately this is the most general leadership book ever
- No research and tells me to just read the given book they suggest to read on my own time
- Written at the end of every chapter is an anecdote with someone expressing a leadership problem. These anecdotes and letters are a good idea, but again horribly vague and come after the chapter when it should be put before the chapter in order to give insight into what I’m about to read rather than just repeating all the same info.
- I’m not one to rant about a book, but a leadership book I would argue provides concrete and specific material that provides opportunities to LEAD. Instead of writing “start by asking questions to evoke a conversation”, give me a list of scenarios at the end of the chapter, and an exercise where I need to come up with questions and responses.
- Unfortunately this is the most general leadership book ever
- No research and tells me to just read the given book they suggest to read on my own time
- Written at the end of every chapter is an anecdote with someone expressing a leadership problem. These anecdotes and letters are a good idea, but again horribly vague and come after the chapter when it should be put before the chapter in order to give insight into what I’m about to read rather than just repeating all the same info.
- I’m not one to rant about a book, but a leadership book I would argue provides concrete and specific material that provides opportunities to LEAD. Instead of writing “start by asking questions to evoke a conversation”, give me a list of scenarios at the end of the chapter, and an exercise where I need to come up with questions and responses.
February 3, 2023
The future of our state and beyond would be as bright as the yellow cover of this book if more people read and applied these ideas in their communities. I appreciate how digestible the Kansas Leadership Center's ideas are in When Everyone Leads. I wish I could have read this as a high school or college student. It is a great introduction and reconnection to thinking about leadership differently!
April 4, 2025
Read as a precursor to their workshop. The information is really valuable, it'll be really cool to learn how to put it into practice. This is coming from an individual who does not hold an authority position but tries to practice leadership with coworkers.
January 24, 2023
This review originally appeared on the blog site of the Eden Vigil Institute of Adaptive Leadership and the Environment of William Carey International University on January 23, 2023. https://www.wciu.edu/wciu-blog/it-is-.... If you want an example of how Ed and Julia's (five-star) book applies to specific adaptive challenges, here's mine: climate change.
BOOK REVIEW: WHEN EVERYONE LEADS BY ED O’MALLEY AND JULIA FABRIS MCBRIDE (BARD PRESS, 2022)
BY LOWELL BLISS
DIRECTOR EDEN VIGIL INSTITUTE FOR ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP & THE ENVIRONMENT
Dear Ed and Julia,
I am concerned about God’s creation and so I try to stay informed and engaged about climate change. I am greatly troubled by the recent announcement that the host government for COP28, U.A.E., has appointed Sultan Al Jaber to serve as the president of the climate summit. Meanwhile, Al Jaber intends to retain his role as CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world’s largest petroleum producers. ADNOC’s current plans for new drilling reportedly amount to the second largest expansion of oil and gas production planned globally. The president of a COP has a great deal of influence. They usually spend the better part of two years jet-setting the globe, making the backroom deals as a lead-in and a lead-out for what they hope will be their successful COP. They set the agenda for the COP and govern the proceedings. Meanwhile, I and my fellow climate activists feel our powerlessness. I care so deeply about this crisis, and wish I had a greater leadership role in it, or at least that more apparently sympathetic leaders were put in authority. How do you advise that I approach 2023 and the lead-up to Sultan Al Jaber’s COP?
Signed, Lowell Longs for Leadership
The Ed and Julia of this advice column format are Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride of the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) and authors of a book released this month entitled When Everyone Leads, the Toughest Challenges Get Seen and Solved (Bard Press). I know Ed and Julia personally and can easily imagine the beginnings of their response to me:
Dear Longing Lowell
First of all, it may be the Sultan’s COP presidency, but climate change is not his crisis, nor is a successful COP28. Climate change as an adaptive challenge belongs to all of us. Remember Leadership Principle #1: ‘Leadership is an activity, not a position,’ and Leadership Principle #2: ‘Anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere’ (18). When everyone leads, we make progress on our most important challenges (16). . .
Adaptive leadership is a category of leadership that allows the particular challenge to call the shots. Stakeholders—some in authority, most others not—circle around that important challenge. Adaptive challenges are different than technical ones which can often be solved when those in authority decide to spend the money or locate the expertise to fix them. As Ed and Julia explain,
Adaptive challenges, on the other hand, are not clearly defined. People need to be curious and seek new ways to understand what is going on. Solutions demand developing new tools, methods, and ways of communicating. Progress on big adaptive challenges takes time, willpower, and patience (59).
You can easily see how climate change is classified as an adaptive challenge, perhaps the greatest one of our generation. And Adaptive Leadership is a thing—developed by the likes of Ron Heifitz and Marty Linsky at Harvard’s Kennedy School for Government. In my estimation, no one has done a better job of pulling Adaptive Leadership out of academia for use for the Common Good than the Kansas Leadership Center and their two guiding lights, Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride. (Full disclosure: the author of this review is certified by KLC to teach the KLC framework.) KLC has published other books before, built around their distillation of Adaptive Leadership into five principles, four competencies, and 24 dimensions, but When Everybody Leads, for all its familiar content, feels different. It is the best popularization yet of this framework and it creates a narrative of its central theme: mobilizing everyone who is circled around your important challenge to lead in that challenge. They write, “The idea that leadership must be self-authorized is easier to grasp when you separate leadership from position and understand that it is an activity…. Rarely do we lead by accident. It’s almost always a conscious choice. It starts with deciding that not only can you lead, but to make progress, you must lead” (120,121).
When Everybody Leads begins with a manifesto entitled “(Re)defining Leadership” which is as good a ten-point summary of Adaptive Leadership as you’ll find anywhere. The definition of leadership they use is “mobilizing people to make progress on the most important challenges,” which, admit it, sounds exactly like your job description as a creation care advocate, doesn’t it? The Five Parts that follow act as categories for highly practical, actionable chapters. Parts 1-4 instruct you to Identify the Gap (between your concerns and aspirations), address Barriers to Progress, Start with You, and Use the Heat. Part 5 returns to the claim that Everyone Can Lead, because everyone can (and must) ask powerful questions, make multiple interpretations, act experimentally, and make leadership less risky for others.
In an attempt to “Make it Real,” Ed and Julia employ a Q/A format at the end of every chapter, similar to how I introduced this review. The chapters themselves, at a moment’s notice, don’t hesitate to spill out a quick list of examples and mini-case studies. KLC was founded in 2007 and has served over 15000 participants and partnerships not only in Kansas but around the world. These examples, while they might be anonymous composite sketches, are nonetheless real people with real adaptive challenges. I even found us on page 147 when someone labeled “Sal Wants to Seize Moment” asks: “Dear Ed and Julia: My leadership challenge is climate change. . . . I’m afraid for the future! There are so many people who think this is a nonissue. How do I get them to listen and change their behavior?” It’s significant that Sal’s climate change question comes at the end of a chapter entitled “Start Where You Have Influence.” Not only is this good advice; it is the exact same advice that Katharine Hayhoe gives us in her latest book Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. See, we’ve known for a while now that climate change is an adaptive challenge. George W. Bush may have held out hope for climate change having a technological solution, but we are far past that point where scientists or policymakers or duly-designated COP presidents can do the work that all of us must do.
What Ed and Julia (and Katharine) demonstrate to us is that we could stand to receive some training. That’s why this past year when Eden Vigil switched from being a creation care/environmental missions ministry to become an institute at William Carey International University, we re-organized as the Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadershipand the Environment. The Kansas Leadership Center was founded when the Kansas Health Foundation asked the question: “What is the biggest health challenge faced by Kansans?” The answer they arrived at was not the likes of obesity, addiction, or food deserts, but rather: lack of leadership. What is the biggest obstacle that we face in caring for God’s creation? In my mind: the same. I’m happy to recommend When Everybody Leads as one of 2023’s must-read titles for climate activists and creation care advocates.
Reading When Everybody Leads opened my eyes however to a pesky challenge that Ed and Julia themselves face. They’ve written a book with a manifesto-level vision for everyone leading, but how do you sell a book on leadership when only self-identified leaders are in the market to buy one? The “Everybody” in this title are likely not going to find their own way to this book since Barnes and Nobles might have a Leadership section, but they don’t have an Everybody section. That’s where you and I come in. We should read this book for our own growth in leadership skills, but we should also determine from the start to be a pass-through. Who in your circle is waiting—perhaps with despair—for an Al Jaber, or for their government to act on climate change? Who in your circle—whether on your team or in your constituency-- is waiting on YOU or your organization—with whatever official or positional standing you might have—to act? Now is the time to invite them into leadership.
“We won’t solve our toughest challenges,” Ed and Julia say in their Call to Action, “by doing more of what we’ve always done. Don’t take this book as a call to get busier or be more determined. Instead, shift your attention. The world needs more people stepping up to exercise leadership.”
P.S.-- I finished writing this review while on a plane from Hamilton, ON to Abbotsford, BC where I was scheduled to speak at A Rocha Canada’s National Conference. The man in the seat next to me leans over and reads off my screen. “Oh, you’re into climate change,” he says. “You know that’s fake. It’s just a way for rich people to make more money and for the Trudeau government to charge more taxes.” I eventually learn my seat mate works for the concrete industry, one of the biggest drivers of CO2 emissions globally. I smile at him, close my laptop, and say in my head, almost as a prayer: “Dear Ed and Julia. . .” I’m about to lead here.
For more information and to order When Everyone Leads, visit https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/wh...
BOOK REVIEW: WHEN EVERYONE LEADS BY ED O’MALLEY AND JULIA FABRIS MCBRIDE (BARD PRESS, 2022)
BY LOWELL BLISS
DIRECTOR EDEN VIGIL INSTITUTE FOR ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP & THE ENVIRONMENT
Dear Ed and Julia,
I am concerned about God’s creation and so I try to stay informed and engaged about climate change. I am greatly troubled by the recent announcement that the host government for COP28, U.A.E., has appointed Sultan Al Jaber to serve as the president of the climate summit. Meanwhile, Al Jaber intends to retain his role as CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world’s largest petroleum producers. ADNOC’s current plans for new drilling reportedly amount to the second largest expansion of oil and gas production planned globally. The president of a COP has a great deal of influence. They usually spend the better part of two years jet-setting the globe, making the backroom deals as a lead-in and a lead-out for what they hope will be their successful COP. They set the agenda for the COP and govern the proceedings. Meanwhile, I and my fellow climate activists feel our powerlessness. I care so deeply about this crisis, and wish I had a greater leadership role in it, or at least that more apparently sympathetic leaders were put in authority. How do you advise that I approach 2023 and the lead-up to Sultan Al Jaber’s COP?
Signed, Lowell Longs for Leadership
The Ed and Julia of this advice column format are Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride of the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) and authors of a book released this month entitled When Everyone Leads, the Toughest Challenges Get Seen and Solved (Bard Press). I know Ed and Julia personally and can easily imagine the beginnings of their response to me:
Dear Longing Lowell
First of all, it may be the Sultan’s COP presidency, but climate change is not his crisis, nor is a successful COP28. Climate change as an adaptive challenge belongs to all of us. Remember Leadership Principle #1: ‘Leadership is an activity, not a position,’ and Leadership Principle #2: ‘Anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere’ (18). When everyone leads, we make progress on our most important challenges (16). . .
Adaptive leadership is a category of leadership that allows the particular challenge to call the shots. Stakeholders—some in authority, most others not—circle around that important challenge. Adaptive challenges are different than technical ones which can often be solved when those in authority decide to spend the money or locate the expertise to fix them. As Ed and Julia explain,
Adaptive challenges, on the other hand, are not clearly defined. People need to be curious and seek new ways to understand what is going on. Solutions demand developing new tools, methods, and ways of communicating. Progress on big adaptive challenges takes time, willpower, and patience (59).
You can easily see how climate change is classified as an adaptive challenge, perhaps the greatest one of our generation. And Adaptive Leadership is a thing—developed by the likes of Ron Heifitz and Marty Linsky at Harvard’s Kennedy School for Government. In my estimation, no one has done a better job of pulling Adaptive Leadership out of academia for use for the Common Good than the Kansas Leadership Center and their two guiding lights, Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride. (Full disclosure: the author of this review is certified by KLC to teach the KLC framework.) KLC has published other books before, built around their distillation of Adaptive Leadership into five principles, four competencies, and 24 dimensions, but When Everybody Leads, for all its familiar content, feels different. It is the best popularization yet of this framework and it creates a narrative of its central theme: mobilizing everyone who is circled around your important challenge to lead in that challenge. They write, “The idea that leadership must be self-authorized is easier to grasp when you separate leadership from position and understand that it is an activity…. Rarely do we lead by accident. It’s almost always a conscious choice. It starts with deciding that not only can you lead, but to make progress, you must lead” (120,121).
When Everybody Leads begins with a manifesto entitled “(Re)defining Leadership” which is as good a ten-point summary of Adaptive Leadership as you’ll find anywhere. The definition of leadership they use is “mobilizing people to make progress on the most important challenges,” which, admit it, sounds exactly like your job description as a creation care advocate, doesn’t it? The Five Parts that follow act as categories for highly practical, actionable chapters. Parts 1-4 instruct you to Identify the Gap (between your concerns and aspirations), address Barriers to Progress, Start with You, and Use the Heat. Part 5 returns to the claim that Everyone Can Lead, because everyone can (and must) ask powerful questions, make multiple interpretations, act experimentally, and make leadership less risky for others.
In an attempt to “Make it Real,” Ed and Julia employ a Q/A format at the end of every chapter, similar to how I introduced this review. The chapters themselves, at a moment’s notice, don’t hesitate to spill out a quick list of examples and mini-case studies. KLC was founded in 2007 and has served over 15000 participants and partnerships not only in Kansas but around the world. These examples, while they might be anonymous composite sketches, are nonetheless real people with real adaptive challenges. I even found us on page 147 when someone labeled “Sal Wants to Seize Moment” asks: “Dear Ed and Julia: My leadership challenge is climate change. . . . I’m afraid for the future! There are so many people who think this is a nonissue. How do I get them to listen and change their behavior?” It’s significant that Sal’s climate change question comes at the end of a chapter entitled “Start Where You Have Influence.” Not only is this good advice; it is the exact same advice that Katharine Hayhoe gives us in her latest book Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. See, we’ve known for a while now that climate change is an adaptive challenge. George W. Bush may have held out hope for climate change having a technological solution, but we are far past that point where scientists or policymakers or duly-designated COP presidents can do the work that all of us must do.
What Ed and Julia (and Katharine) demonstrate to us is that we could stand to receive some training. That’s why this past year when Eden Vigil switched from being a creation care/environmental missions ministry to become an institute at William Carey International University, we re-organized as the Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadershipand the Environment. The Kansas Leadership Center was founded when the Kansas Health Foundation asked the question: “What is the biggest health challenge faced by Kansans?” The answer they arrived at was not the likes of obesity, addiction, or food deserts, but rather: lack of leadership. What is the biggest obstacle that we face in caring for God’s creation? In my mind: the same. I’m happy to recommend When Everybody Leads as one of 2023’s must-read titles for climate activists and creation care advocates.
Reading When Everybody Leads opened my eyes however to a pesky challenge that Ed and Julia themselves face. They’ve written a book with a manifesto-level vision for everyone leading, but how do you sell a book on leadership when only self-identified leaders are in the market to buy one? The “Everybody” in this title are likely not going to find their own way to this book since Barnes and Nobles might have a Leadership section, but they don’t have an Everybody section. That’s where you and I come in. We should read this book for our own growth in leadership skills, but we should also determine from the start to be a pass-through. Who in your circle is waiting—perhaps with despair—for an Al Jaber, or for their government to act on climate change? Who in your circle—whether on your team or in your constituency-- is waiting on YOU or your organization—with whatever official or positional standing you might have—to act? Now is the time to invite them into leadership.
“We won’t solve our toughest challenges,” Ed and Julia say in their Call to Action, “by doing more of what we’ve always done. Don’t take this book as a call to get busier or be more determined. Instead, shift your attention. The world needs more people stepping up to exercise leadership.”
P.S.-- I finished writing this review while on a plane from Hamilton, ON to Abbotsford, BC where I was scheduled to speak at A Rocha Canada’s National Conference. The man in the seat next to me leans over and reads off my screen. “Oh, you’re into climate change,” he says. “You know that’s fake. It’s just a way for rich people to make more money and for the Trudeau government to charge more taxes.” I eventually learn my seat mate works for the concrete industry, one of the biggest drivers of CO2 emissions globally. I smile at him, close my laptop, and say in my head, almost as a prayer: “Dear Ed and Julia. . .” I’m about to lead here.
For more information and to order When Everyone Leads, visit https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/wh...
September 22, 2024
This book was not for me. I can see how others might find value in it but it did not provide any new or useful information. It felt like it could have been a 15 page pamphlet instead of a 250 page book because it was the same idea stated over and over again in different words. I only finished the book because I had to.
Read
February 11, 2023Revised Book Review:
When Everyone Leads is a powerful call for collective action for the common good. The authors, ED and Julia, have dedicated decades to awakening those who have a desire to revive and thrive, and their book is a treasure trove of wisdom that can be applied in all aspects of life. Here are some of these gems:
1. The Tyranny of the Present: The authors highlight the importance of breaking free from the grip of the present moment and striving towards our aspirations.
2. Productivity vs Busyness: The authors emphasize that being busy does not necessarily mean being productive. It is important to focus on what is truly important and to avoid wasting time on unproductive activities.
3. Aversion to Negative Thoughts: The authors point out that we often avoid thinking about negative things, but it is important to confront these challenges and to see them as opportunities for growth.
4. Dissatisfaction vs Complaints: The authors argue that leadership requires dissatisfaction, but not complaints. It is important to channel dissatisfaction into productive action and to avoid simply complaining about the status quo.
5. Disconnection from the Status Quo: The authors emphasize that true leaders feel deeply disconnected from the status quo and are driven to create change.
6. Tough Issues Emerge from Dialogue: The authors emphasize the importance of open and honest dialogue in order to tackle tough issues and create real change.
7. Leadership as Counterculture: The authors argue that leadership is countercultural and requires taking bold and unconventional steps in order to create change.
8. Start with Yourself: The authors emphasize that the starting point for change is oneself, and that it is important to focus on one's own challenges and responsibilities.
9. A Call to Shift Focus: The authors argue that the book is not a call to become busier or more determined, but rather a call to shift focus towards what is truly important.
The story: The authors describe the tension that exists between our aspirations and our genuine concerns, and how this tension can keep us trapped in the "tyranny of the present". In order to break free from this trap, it is necessary to start with oneself, to focus on one's own challenges and responsibilities, and to engage others. The authors emphasize that leadership is an adaptive challenge, and that there is no blueprint to follow. Instead, it is necessary to experiment and to take bold steps in order to reduce the gap between our aspirations and our reality.
This is the story that ED and Julia tell in When Everyone Leads, and it is a story that resonates with anyone who cares about creating change. Thank you, ED and Julia, for sharing your insights and wisdom.
February 1, 2023
“You don’t need a title to start leading.” The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) redefines leadership as “an activity not a position.” Learn how to lighten the load and avoid dogpiling responsibilities with this realistic approach. Rosa Parks silently seized the moment with her belief, “start where you have influence.”
While knowledge of the KLC framework is welcome, it is not essential to understand When Everyone Leads. Gain insight seeing and seizing the moment, the value of a silent pause, and incorporate uplifting rather than blaming skills that turn shameful scenarios into winning conversations. Complete with challenging circumstances and sensible solutions from diverse organizations, small businesses, large corporations, nonprofits, and assorted working atmospheres, co-authors Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride set a successful stage.
People can exercise leadership with curiosity, middle questioning strategies, and an open mindset. Identify “The Gap” to distinguish technical and adaptive work. Learn how to “diagnose the situation, manage self, energize others, and intervene skillfully” with these powerful ideas. Design a mental model that compliments your mission. A person-centric environment may portray a boss directing, while a challenge-centric model facilitates and empowers leadership. Expand your management style encouraging “good controversy” generating a “productive zone.” The expression “Let it go!” may assist doubters who experience risk avoidance transforming turbulent times into purposeful adaptations. Establishing a culture “when everyone leads” celebrates efforts by your coworkers supporting an innovative team vision.
Spark change, explore uncomfortable conversations, acknowledge various interpretations, welcome different opinions, then offer successful communication strategies. Learn how divergent personalities can invigorate others developing a positive impact. The conversational style, bulleted lists, entertaining illustrations, clever sketches, and creative captions illuminate your “Call to Action!”
Although KLC provides Your Leadership Edge, The KLC Guidebook, various publications, programs, training, and events, knowledge of this revolutionary process is not a prerequisite to When Everyone Leads. Allow the thousands of people from every sector who have experienced a KLC program to lead you on a path tackling difficult problems with actionable navigation strategies to “mobilize people to make progress on adaptive challenges.”
While knowledge of the KLC framework is welcome, it is not essential to understand When Everyone Leads. Gain insight seeing and seizing the moment, the value of a silent pause, and incorporate uplifting rather than blaming skills that turn shameful scenarios into winning conversations. Complete with challenging circumstances and sensible solutions from diverse organizations, small businesses, large corporations, nonprofits, and assorted working atmospheres, co-authors Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride set a successful stage.
People can exercise leadership with curiosity, middle questioning strategies, and an open mindset. Identify “The Gap” to distinguish technical and adaptive work. Learn how to “diagnose the situation, manage self, energize others, and intervene skillfully” with these powerful ideas. Design a mental model that compliments your mission. A person-centric environment may portray a boss directing, while a challenge-centric model facilitates and empowers leadership. Expand your management style encouraging “good controversy” generating a “productive zone.” The expression “Let it go!” may assist doubters who experience risk avoidance transforming turbulent times into purposeful adaptations. Establishing a culture “when everyone leads” celebrates efforts by your coworkers supporting an innovative team vision.
Spark change, explore uncomfortable conversations, acknowledge various interpretations, welcome different opinions, then offer successful communication strategies. Learn how divergent personalities can invigorate others developing a positive impact. The conversational style, bulleted lists, entertaining illustrations, clever sketches, and creative captions illuminate your “Call to Action!”
Although KLC provides Your Leadership Edge, The KLC Guidebook, various publications, programs, training, and events, knowledge of this revolutionary process is not a prerequisite to When Everyone Leads. Allow the thousands of people from every sector who have experienced a KLC program to lead you on a path tackling difficult problems with actionable navigation strategies to “mobilize people to make progress on adaptive challenges.”
December 22, 2025
When Everyone Leads by Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride offers a refreshing, democratic take on leadership by framing it as an activity rather than a position. Drawing on the work of the Kansas Leadership Center, the authors successfully argue that the toughest challenges aren't solved by "heroes" at the top, but by anyone willing to see a gap and bridge it. The book’s strongest asset is its accessibility; it provides a clear, scannable framework for identifying "adaptive challenges"—those messy, human-centered problems that don't have a simple technical fix. It is an empowering read for those who feel sidelined by corporate hierarchies and want to make a difference from wherever they sit in an organization.
However, while the central message is inspiring, the execution feels a bit thin for seasoned readers. The book can be quite repetitive, hammering home its core thesis so frequently that the latter half starts to feel redundant. Additionally, while it encourages anyone to lead, it glosses over the significant professional risks and power dynamics involved when those without formal authority try to provoke change. At times, the tone leans closer to a promotional manual for a workshop rather than a deep theoretical dive. Ultimately, it’s a solid, encouraging primer for entry-level professionals or community organizers, but those familiar with classic adaptive leadership theory may find it a bit basic.
However, while the central message is inspiring, the execution feels a bit thin for seasoned readers. The book can be quite repetitive, hammering home its core thesis so frequently that the latter half starts to feel redundant. Additionally, while it encourages anyone to lead, it glosses over the significant professional risks and power dynamics involved when those without formal authority try to provoke change. At times, the tone leans closer to a promotional manual for a workshop rather than a deep theoretical dive. Ultimately, it’s a solid, encouraging primer for entry-level professionals or community organizers, but those familiar with classic adaptive leadership theory may find it a bit basic.
December 18, 2023
I enjoyed that this book was quick to read and easy to digest. I'm always looking to gain some knowledge I can drop into my EQ toolkit as an early-career professional, and the book gave some good tips about authorizing yourself to demonstrate leadership, turning the "heat" up and down to rally people around a problem, self-regulating, making a problem you want to solve the "anchor" that your work revolves around, and asking intentional questions. My biggest takeaways are that (1) authority does not equate to leadership and (2) the traditional concept of leadership as an individual person ("leader") is not conducive to energizing entire teams to mobilize to solve a problem.
That said, the writing in this book was just super dry. It was really difficult to concentrate in the last third of the book because concepts were getting repetitive; it often felt like there was no end in sight. Some of the "letters to the authors" meant to illustrate points seemed a little larger than life; I would have enjoyed more historical examples and case studies supported by data if only for the sake of making the book more interesting and keeping my attention.
All in all a fine book with some interesting points - would probably recommend this more for middle managers than early career folks.
That said, the writing in this book was just super dry. It was really difficult to concentrate in the last third of the book because concepts were getting repetitive; it often felt like there was no end in sight. Some of the "letters to the authors" meant to illustrate points seemed a little larger than life; I would have enjoyed more historical examples and case studies supported by data if only for the sake of making the book more interesting and keeping my attention.
All in all a fine book with some interesting points - would probably recommend this more for middle managers than early career folks.
February 21, 2023
This book is a refreshing departure from typical leadership concept books as it offers a practical and implementable process that anyone can apply, regardless of their title or position. Drawing from both research and hands-on experience, the author presents a step-by-step approach that is accessible to everyone, from high school students to seasoned professionals.
More than just a guide to leadership, this book is a personality builder, providing valuable insights and exercises that can help individuals cultivate the skills and qualities needed to succeed in any endeavor. Whether you're looking to enhance your communication skills, build stronger relationships, or simply become a more effective team player, the tools and techniques presented in this book are sure to be of great benefit.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their leadership abilities and personal development. It is a valuable resource that provides practical strategies and actionable advice that can be applied in real-world situations. Whether you're a student, a manager, or simply someone looking to grow and succeed, this book is a must-read.
More than just a guide to leadership, this book is a personality builder, providing valuable insights and exercises that can help individuals cultivate the skills and qualities needed to succeed in any endeavor. Whether you're looking to enhance your communication skills, build stronger relationships, or simply become a more effective team player, the tools and techniques presented in this book are sure to be of great benefit.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their leadership abilities and personal development. It is a valuable resource that provides practical strategies and actionable advice that can be applied in real-world situations. Whether you're a student, a manager, or simply someone looking to grow and succeed, this book is a must-read.
February 3, 2023
This book redefines leadership. So often we see leadership as ‘person-centric’ (leadership by title). This book helps readers understand that way of thinking is simply outdated. The shift to ‘problem-centric’ thinking is critical if progress is ever going to be made on our toughest challenges. When we put the problem at the center of our thinking, we start to see there is a gap between where we are (with our company, organization, non-profit, etc.) and where we want to be. Acknowledging that gap is what many people would rather avoid. It’s much easier to blame the mayor, the preacher, the superintendent, the boss, etc. - all ‘person-centric’ thinking scapegoats. When we dig into the gap, we start to see what's really going on (values clashes, loss, the reliance on the quick fix, etc.) and why progress has been so elusive. Beyond understanding the barriers to progress, the authors also do a great job redefining leadership as an activity (no title needed) with several practical ways everyone can lead. This book helps people and organizations get un-stuck!
February 6, 2023
Do you want to make a difference? To find solutions to really tough problems facing you at work, in your community, non profit, government or business? This book, and the principles of adaptive leadership that it explores, will help you along the way. It gives a useful framework for thinking and action that will energize the way you take on tough challenges. I have been engaged in environmental and social issues for about thirty years, and still I found this book enlightening and useful. Sharing the ideas with others makes us all more effective. I also took a class with the Kansas Leadership Center, and together with this and their other books I feel better prepared and ready for action.
February 10, 2023
I initially thought that the greatest value in this book would be found by civic and non-profit organizations. However, as a learning practitioner at a financial organization, I found this book to be a great tool for anyone who desires to increase their professional effectiveness, with or without a leadership title. I also found practical advice that could be applied to all areas of my life-- in particular, I've adapted the concepts explored in asking powerful questions and making multiple interpretations in some of my personal relationships. It's truly given me an entirely new appreciation for the other person's POV and I find myself gaining greater insight into their thoughts and actions.
April 29, 2024
Some Notes:
• Redefining Leadership: A 10 Point Manifesto
o Leadership is not a position.
o Leadership is not authority.
o Many people in important positions do not exercise leadership.
• Leadership is an activity not a position. It is mobilizing others to solve their challenges.
• Authority is more like management.
• Consider asking team members to discuss in pairs first before sharing their insights to the entire team.
• People are uncomfortable talking about the negative because they think that they could not make things better. So, start by thinking that you could make things better.
• Leadership is always risky and the biggest risk is disappointing your own people.
• Start with the low hanging fruit.
• Redefining Leadership: A 10 Point Manifesto
o Leadership is not a position.
o Leadership is not authority.
o Many people in important positions do not exercise leadership.
• Leadership is an activity not a position. It is mobilizing others to solve their challenges.
• Authority is more like management.
• Consider asking team members to discuss in pairs first before sharing their insights to the entire team.
• People are uncomfortable talking about the negative because they think that they could not make things better. So, start by thinking that you could make things better.
• Leadership is always risky and the biggest risk is disappointing your own people.
• Start with the low hanging fruit.
January 11, 2023
Leadership books are often forgettable or regrettable. Not this one. The authors have boiled down complex concepts into inspiring adages that have immediate utility in organizations. They disrupt conventional thinking in compelling ways to drive positive change. Adaptive leadership vs. authority. Filling gaps vs. avoiding them. Seeking multiple perspectives vs. favoring aligned views. These key concepts and many more comprise the core of “When Everyone Leads.” From America’s heartland come these common sense cures for what ails leadership and how to solve hard problems with fresh thinking and an everyone leads mentality.
February 6, 2023
This is a remarkable book. The authors explore powerful leadership concepts in a straightforward, accessible way.
Leadership is viewed as a universal concept: everyone is able to exercise leadership, irrespective of formal authority. The book starts with a quick-read summary of the concepts being explored, then delves into these concepts in a fashion that allows for (in fact encourages!) everyone to exercise leadership in the real world.
This book should be read by anyone who wants to explore their own leadership, and anyone who wants a better community, a better work life, and a better world. A remarkable book.
Leadership is viewed as a universal concept: everyone is able to exercise leadership, irrespective of formal authority. The book starts with a quick-read summary of the concepts being explored, then delves into these concepts in a fashion that allows for (in fact encourages!) everyone to exercise leadership in the real world.
This book should be read by anyone who wants to explore their own leadership, and anyone who wants a better community, a better work life, and a better world. A remarkable book.
February 7, 2023
This is a refreshing and accessible book for an important time in our work, communities, organizations, churches, government and homes. And it’s not about leadership as we traditionally and unfortunately think of it. The toughest challenges often get ignored or played down because they are difficult. When addressed they raise the heat, are risky and require that we all practice leadership. This is an excellent read and resource for anyone who knows that leadership is an action not a position. I’m looking forward to referring to and using what I’ve learned in my work and community engagement efforts.
February 13, 2023
WHEN EVERYONE LEADS is a go-to book for anyone who cares about making progress on the issues that matter to you most. This book not only builds upon some of the most important work on systems change and leadership, but also creates an engaging story that can pull at our heartstrings and guide our next steps, no matter where we are in a challenge. Very few leadership books can aid anyone from a novice high school student to a senior leader to dramatically rethink how to approach their work and life. This book takes adaptive leadership concepts to a new level that is highly digestible and entertaining for any audience.
February 5, 2023
As a longtime fan of the Kansas Leadership Center, I’m not surprised by how good this book is. The KLC approach to leadership is revolutionary yet accessible to everyone, everywhere. I’ve been a part of organizations with a culture that is the opposite of what’s described in When Everyone Leads, and it was nonstop frustration. What this book offers is not simply one alternative, it’s really the only way for individuals, organizations and communities to navigate their most pressing challenges with success.
February 5, 2023
The deep understanding provided by Where Everyone Leads of the challenges we all face in solving big problems was key for me. I needed real-life examples & advice because I don’t have a position of authority and I’ve felt helpless to change anything, even though I could see the problems that needed to be fixed.
This book has helped me understand that I can engage in leadership in many ways throughout my day, and I can encourage the people around me to do the same. I feel inspired that – together – we can make a difference.
This book has helped me understand that I can engage in leadership in many ways throughout my day, and I can encourage the people around me to do the same. I feel inspired that – together – we can make a difference.
February 16, 2023
Simple & applicable to all levels of leadership! I absolutely love the approach that the @kansasleadershipcenter takes on leadership! It is applicable no matter who you are, what organizations you are or are not a part of. The concepts apply simply to the way we live our lives daily on up to executive levels of leadership. Each and everyone of us has the ability to exercise leadership. Whether we are leading ourselves or a team of people, this book lays out simple tools to challenge ourselves and move from where we find ourselves now to where we truly want to be!
February 1, 2023
For those new to the KLC framework, this book is a perfect entry point. I was introduced to these ideas as a teenager and they brought me to a career in leadership development. In my volunteer work with 4-H youth, I often hear people talking about preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. The truth is...we need EVERYONE's leadership today. Whether you are the 15 year old student or 60 year old CEO, we need you to lead. If we continue to view leadership as a position for the few, rather than activity for the many, we will remain stuck on the daunting challenges that plague our families, organizations, and society. We will continue to divide and grasp more and more desperately for control...unless, we realize that leadership is an activity available to all of us.
This isn't a book that you buy just one of and hold its secrets in your mind. You should BUY TEN and give them to the folks you need to engage as you make progress on what matters most.
This isn't a book that you buy just one of and hold its secrets in your mind. You should BUY TEN and give them to the folks you need to engage as you make progress on what matters most.
February 5, 2023
Learning about leadership is an investment in personal and organizational growth and success, and it can help individuals to become more effective and impactful leaders in their careers and communities. This book was fantastic, and I look forward to reading more from these authors because it makes sense that everyone can AND SHOULD lead, and it’s how we’re going to change our world for the better.
February 14, 2023
"When Everyone Leads" is an inspiring and insightful book that encourages us to tap into the collective intelligence of our teams and communities. By showcasing real-world examples of how distributed leadership can solve even the toughest challenges, the authors offer a refreshing and optimistic perspective on the power of collaboration. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to unleash the potential of their organization and create positive change in the world.
April 8, 2023
This digs deeper into concepts that KLC has been promoting for over a decade. I fully embrace their understanding of leadership - leadership is an activity, not a position. And this book shared some concrete examples of using KLC principles. And still, it feels a bit like KLC published a book because KLC hasn't published a book in a wile. I appreciate my KLC Journal editions more than this particular book.
June 9, 2023
A great book on the subject for people who just want to spur a conversation with others, especially among those who don't see that leading is an activity, not a position or a title.
Leadership isn't hard, but it can be messy. It involves choices. It incurs risk. It carries consequences. These messages are conveyed throughout the book, which is short enough to be consumed in a sitting. A terrific primer that ought to be useful for the occasional lunch and think.
Leadership isn't hard, but it can be messy. It involves choices. It incurs risk. It carries consequences. These messages are conveyed throughout the book, which is short enough to be consumed in a sitting. A terrific primer that ought to be useful for the occasional lunch and think.
October 14, 2024
This is a great, punchy read if you are already somewhat familiar with adaptive leadership.
One on hand, the authors do a great job of condensing complex ideas into bullet points which keeps the information very actionable. Yet, I also know that if I were not familiar with the themes and ideas that they were talking about, I'm not sure I would be 100% on board.
All in all, I still think this is a great resource, and I'm glad to have read it.
One on hand, the authors do a great job of condensing complex ideas into bullet points which keeps the information very actionable. Yet, I also know that if I were not familiar with the themes and ideas that they were talking about, I'm not sure I would be 100% on board.
All in all, I still think this is a great resource, and I'm glad to have read it.
February 5, 2023
I can’t be the only person facing tough challenges. I’m glad I took the time to read this book, because now I understand why waiting for someone in authority to solve the big problems is a waste of time. It’s on all of us to step up, engage in leadership, and work together to see what the challenges are and figure out solutions. I hope more & more people will read this book & apply the teachings.
February 10, 2023
This book is an inspiring and empowering compilation of ideas and actions. When I picked it up for the first time, I was surprised to notice that I didn't look up until I was almost to the 100th page. It's easy to read, quick to absorb and challenging to consider what could change if more people believed they could exercise leadership.
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July 5, 2023“We won’t solve our toughest challenges by doing more of what we’ve always done. Don’t take this book as a call to get busier or be more determined.”
I read this book as part of a book club at work and I truly think that was the best way to read it. Having discussions with others as I worked my way through the book definitely made it a more valuable read!
I read this book as part of a book club at work and I truly think that was the best way to read it. Having discussions with others as I worked my way through the book definitely made it a more valuable read!
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