Heart-Centered Leadership: An Invitation to Lead from the Outside in

As a talent management director in a Fortune 50 company, I have used Heart-Centered Leadership as part of our high potential and leadership development programs. This book demonstrates the importance of serving as a leader in a way that engages, retains, and motivates employees, and also clearly demonstrates why this leadership style increases business results. The book provides exercises and checkpoint tools that make it a great "leadership book discussion" choice for leaders within an intact work group, or for an individual reading the book who can then use the tools to identify practical applications and actions to take on the job.

The seven principles and virtues spelled out in this book represent the core foundation of effective and meaningful leadership. In essence, the ultimate secret to effective leadership is influence (read any book by John C. Maxwell to confirm this universal truth). However, I have noticed through my study and research on the topic of leadership, that little is ever mentioned on how influence actually transpires, or better yet, how or why a person should expect to increase his or her personal ability to generate real and meaningful influence. This ability starts from within. There is no escaping this fundamental truth. Whether the situation calls for being a great parent, a trusted friend, or outstanding CEO, the reason that people follow you is because of the light you shine from the inside out. Lao-Tzu mentioned that "the ways of the sage are attractive." Thus, the secret to influence is attraction, and attraction in turn is achieved through modeling honest, heart-felt compassion for self and other. The virtues laid out in this book walk the reader through the transforming world of inner wisdom and personal integrity in a way that is fresh, original, and illuminating. The ways of the great leader are naturally attractive, so people naturally follow: Through good times and bad, through periods of tremendous change and adversity, through thick and thin. Behavior modeling is a more powerful teacher than positive and negative reinforcement ever could be. Because the leader is an authentic and honest person, their organization will shape and create a culture of honesty. Influence is clearly understood by Steinbrecher and Bennett as being the "outcome" of effective leadership, not the starting point, not the descriptor. Heart-Centered Leadership is a fantastic way to start your journey of building an authentic legacy in life, both personal and professional. If only I could give this book six stars instead of five I would do so...in a heartbeat.