Leadership Step by Step: Become the Person Others Follow

by Joshua Spodek

Leadership literature is full of principles and ideas—but they rarely leave the page. Practice is what turns abstract concepts into useful skills.

Leadership Step by Step walks readers through what to do and how to do it in an integrated and comprehensive progression of exercises designed to cultivate key abilities, behaviors, and beliefs through experience. The 22 exercises in this hands-on book help you accomplish the inner work and gain the social skills required for great leadership.

Each chapter opens with a story demonstrating a leadership skill—and then guides you through the process of developing it. From basic solo assignments to advanced leadership practices, you’ll learn to:

● Build self-awareness
● Manage emotions
● Speak in your authentic voice
● Create meaningful connections
● Inspire others
● Lead with empathy
● Support teammates
● And more

Powerful and practical, Leadership Step by Step will start you on the road to success.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Management, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Psychology, Communication

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 16, 2017

About the author

JOSHUA SPODEK, PH.D. is an Adjunct Professor at NYU, a leadership coach and lecturer for Columbia Business School, and a columnist for Inc. He holds six patents and five Ivy-League degrees, including an MBA and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Named one of the “Best and Brightest” by Esquire in their Genius Issue, he has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, Forbes, and other major media.

Reviews

[Diana-Michaela Shaffner · Rating 4 out of 5]

IF a reader is intent on doing the exercises as prescribed in this book, a person with little to no leadership skills has the potential to take his/her leadership skills from zero to sky-high. The author starts out with extremely basic life skills such as self-observation and builds upon these each building block one step at a time. In so doing, Joshua Spodek makes leadership training available and accessible to an audience no matter what age or background. This book would be suitable also not only for the 'lone ranger' working through it alone but also for study groups or schools. In any case, there is much to be learned about self-leadership AND leading others. After all, effectively leading others begins with effective self-leadership.

[Jarrett Crusor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership through doing

Spodek provides good insight into understanding and leading yourself and those around you. He makes it clear that leadership is not about rattling off orders to get people what you want but it’s about connecting and developing mutually beneficial relationships. The exercises provided in each chapter break down how to develop your leadership skills and when practiced they help develop habits of great leaders.

[Kari Olfert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership Step by Step is a workbook that has weekly exercises and if you follow the instructions it is a powerful technique for self improvement. That being said I like to read books at a quicker pace so I did the exercises daily. Great book for learning leadership in an indirect but concrete way. If you're looking for true self improvement and transformation in your relationships, I recommend reading this.

[Kunal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overall book which allows you to understand much more in depth about what it takes to be an effective leader and you really understand your leadership style upon doing the reflection. This book really helped me see how much of being an effective leader is really about understanding yourself and doing a lot of deep reflection as well. I am looking forward to taking Joshua's class as can already tell it is going to be extremely rewarding.

[RIcky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to develop leadership skills by doing, reflecting, and getting feedback or as the author would say feed forward.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative with clear, practical steps to follow. Gave a lot of new considerations to the art of leading.

[Eugene Bible · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good of a practical, step by step guide to leadership as you could wish for. The book gives you a system to train yourself in the skills of empathy, discipline and communication required to first lead yourself, then explore the passions of others and lead them as well. Every single exercise in this book lead me to better communication, deeper connection, and better knowledge of myself and the people around me, from family to coworkers. Whether you're a coach or a leader of a team, this book's skills are invaluable.

[Hoan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and some helpful tips but noting mind blowing. I think useful exercises for someone willing to stop and partake. I found there to be too many mini exercises which I couldn’t stick to. Perhaps if I actually committed to these exercises I would’ve found them more helpful.

[Nick Garvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had too many gimmicks and unuseful exercises.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some interesting exercises to assist people to build their leadership skills and increase self awareness.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! Comes with valuable practice exercises.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some GREAT parts of it but it could have been more concise. That said, I recommend it.