Leading So People Will Follow

You recognize leadership when you see it, but many people tend to stumble when asked to come up with a definition. Not so for Andersen, who is a leadership coach and Forbes blogger. She couldn’t be more direct and succinct as she breaks down the definition of leadership into six components or, more apropos to her discussions, the six attributes of a good leader―far-sightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness. Her point and approach are to teach how to be an effective leader, supported by her fundamental philosophy that “when someone who is put in the ‘leader’ seat doesn’t demonstrate the leadership qualities for which human beings have a kind of built-in radar, that person is unlikely to be effective as a leader.” To that end, she offers five “key behaviors” for each of the six leadership components. A book to read more than once and to consult many times.― Brad Hooper, Booklist Online

“We have a deeply wired-in need for leaders who will guide us well and safely; who care more about the success of the enterprise than about their own comfort; who call out our best and take full advantage of who we are. And we long to be that kind of leader as well—to evoke that I’m with you—let’s go! response from those who work with and for us.”
—FROM CHAPTER ONE

In this much-anticipated book, respected leadership coach and popular Forbes blogger Erika Andersen explores the six leadership characteristics that inspire followers to fully support their leaders. Using Andersen’s proven approach, new leaders and veterans alike have increased their capacity for leading in a way that creates loyalty, commitment, and results. Step-by-step, Andersen lays out six key attributes (farsightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness) that offer people, at all levels within an organization, the tools to think and behave as fully accepted leaders.

The book is filled with examples from such outstanding organizations as Apple, NBC Universal, Union Square Hospitality Group, and MTV Networks and offers a framework for self-assessment to help focus on each of the six leadership attributes. Andersen identifies the key behaviors that exemplify each of the attributes and provides practical guidelines for building these essential leadership behaviors.

New and seasoned leaders will get the support they need for building the skills to become a truly “followable” leader—one who can build strong teams and companies that will survive and thrive no matter how tough the environment.