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The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You

4 (21 ratings)
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Unleashed by Frances Frei & Anne Morriss explores the concept of leadership and how to unlock potential in individuals and organizations. It offers practical strategies for creating a culture of trust and empowerment, driving success from within.

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    Leveling up with empowering leadership

    Let’s start by getting one important thing out of the way: it’s not all about you. There’s a popular misconception that the leader should be the center of attention. They’re the one with the ideas and the answers and all eyes should be on them. This is, in fact, all wrong. Being a leader isn’t about stoking your own ego. It’s about empowering others. Your job as a leader is to effectively lead others. This happens by creating conditions for people around you to thrive and achieve their full potential.

    Empowering others is at the heart of five levels of what the authors call unapologetic leadership – the kind of leader that makes it all about others instead of all about them.

    First is trust. Establishing trust between the leader and everyone else is like laying the bedrock foundation of your company. From there, you can then move to the second level of empowering individuals. Third is empowering teams. Fourth is empowering suppliers and customers. And finally, it’s about creating a culture that extends far beyond your company.

    Building trust comes down to a few things. Basically, it’s what happens when you’re authentic, show empathy, and demonstrate sound logic and judgment. If there’s a trust issue going on, it usually means that you struggle with either empathy, logic, or authenticity. For many leaders it’s empathy, and this comes across every time you talk to someone while also staring at your phone; or try to wrap up a meeting the moment you get the message, without asking everyone else if they got the message.

    Once you have a foundation of trust, you can empower individuals through a combination of high standards and deep devotion. Often, a leader has one or the other. But when both are in place, you can motivate people to achieve more while also showing your commitment to their development. A key to this is consistently providing positive feedback and reinforcement.

    You can expand your impact from individuals to teams by cultivating a true feeling of belonging. Make sure everyone feels safe to contribute and has access to growth opportunities. Promote inclusion, diversity, and transparency in what is required for advancement. If there’s a barrier or bias that’s preventing anyone from thriving – get rid of it as quickly as you can.

    Attract diverse talent, help them develop, promote the most deserving, and retain them by showing your appreciation daily. Don’t just tolerate differences – celebrate them.

    In the next section, we’ll cover the last two levels, which focus on how you can continue to empower, even when you’re not around.

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    What is Unleashed about?

    Unleashed (2020) explains how true leaders can thrive while also fostering an environment where everyone can. Through engaging stories and practical advice, it guides you on how to create a workplace culture that empowers individuals and drives success. It's a must for anyone looking to become a more effective and authentic leader in today's world.

    Unleashed Review

    Unleashed (2022) explores the power of empowerment and the impact that strong leadership can have on organizations. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It provides practical strategies for creating a culture of empowerment, helping leaders unlock the full potential of their teams.
    • By sharing compelling stories and real-world examples, the book illustrates how embracing diversity and inclusion can drive innovation and growth.
    • The authors' insightful analysis of successful organizations' leadership practices offers actionable takeaways for inspiring and motivating teams to achieve exceptional results.

    Who should read Unleashed?

    • Leaders looking for inspiration
    • CEOs and managers in need of tips
    • Anyone interested in being a better boss

    About the Author

    Frances Frei is a renowned thinker and educator on leadership and organizational culture. She’s a professor at the Harvard Business School and is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work in helping individuals and companies unlock their full potential through authentic leadership.

    Anne Morriss is a respected author and expert in leadership and management, as well as the executive founder of the Leadership Consortium. Her work focuses on empowering leaders to create inclusive and high-performing teams, making her a valuable contributor to the field of organizational development.

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    Unleashed FAQs 

    What is the main message of Unleashed?

    Unleashed is about creating inclusive organizations through trust, authenticity, and shared accountability.

    How long does it take to read Unleashed?

    The reading time for Unleashed varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Unleashed a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Unleashed is worth reading for its valuable insights on building inclusive organizations. It offers practical strategies for leaders seeking positive change.

    Who is the author of Unleashed?

    Unleashed is co-authored by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss.

    What to read after Unleashed?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Unleashed, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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