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The 7 Secrets of Exceptional Leadership
Excellent condition. Never been used. No torn or missing pages.
- GenresLeadership
112 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2014
About the author
Brian Tracy
1,459 books5,281 followersBrian Tracy is Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations.
He has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 55 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.
Brian has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.
He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.
He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.
Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting. He has conducted high level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.
He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents, and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in community and national affairs, and is the President of three companies headquartered in San Diego, California.
His most popular training programs are centered around teaching authors how to write a book and helping public speakers create successful careers.
He has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 55 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.
Brian has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.
He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.
He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.
Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting. He has conducted high level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.
He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents, and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in community and national affairs, and is the President of three companies headquartered in San Diego, California.
His most popular training programs are centered around teaching authors how to write a book and helping public speakers create successful careers.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 7, 2019
Excellent little book detailing the 7 key traits of effective leaders. Brian did a great job providing a ton of useful content in a small package. Definitely worth reading and reviewing from time to time.
*The audiobook is only 1 hr long so it’s quite easy to review it often through that format.
*The audiobook is only 1 hr long so it’s quite easy to review it often through that format.
June 20, 2020
Ok, I have to say that this book rubbed me in all the wrong ways.
First, more pictures than content. I mean, if I want to have a book about boats, I'd get a book about boats, not about leadership.
Second, the rules are somewhat weird. "A leader must know themselves" I can get behind, specially because one would have to know their own weaknesses to lead people. "Know what they want"... why? A leader may lead people to make things they (leader) don't even fully agree, but know it must be done. Just knowing what you want (even couple with the other points) doesn't make you a leader -- heck, it doesn't even fit the description of a leader.
This was a book that I picked up and dropped next day 'cause fuck confusing "being a boss" with "being a leader" -- and those two are completelly different aspects.
First, more pictures than content. I mean, if I want to have a book about boats, I'd get a book about boats, not about leadership.
Second, the rules are somewhat weird. "A leader must know themselves" I can get behind, specially because one would have to know their own weaknesses to lead people. "Know what they want"... why? A leader may lead people to make things they (leader) don't even fully agree, but know it must be done. Just knowing what you want (even couple with the other points) doesn't make you a leader -- heck, it doesn't even fit the description of a leader.
This was a book that I picked up and dropped next day 'cause fuck confusing "being a boss" with "being a leader" -- and those two are completelly different aspects.
April 10, 2025
"The Seven Secrets of Exceptional Leadership" is a concise and power-packed guide that unpacks the timeless principles behind truly great leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned executive, an emerging team leader, or a business owner looking to build influence, this book offers a clear roadmap for developing the mindset and behaviors of high-impact leaders.
The book is built around seven core “secrets,” which are more accurately described as universal truths or disciplines. Each chapter dives deep into one principle, drawing from real-life examples, psychological insights, and business case studies to illustrate how effective leadership is cultivated—not just inherited.
Here are some standout elements of the book:
1. Clarity of Purpose
The author emphasizes the need for leaders to be crystal clear about their mission, vision, and values. This foundation sets the tone for decision-making and inspires teams to align with a greater cause.
2. Emotional Intelligence
A significant portion of the book is devoted to mastering self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal communication—skills that are often underestimated but crucial to leadership success.
3. Integrity and Trust
Trust, the book argues, is the currency of leadership. The author underscores how consistency in words and actions builds loyalty and fosters a high-performance culture.
4. Decisive Action
Exceptional leaders are not paralysed by indecision. The book explores how to balance data-driven thinking with intuition and confidence, turning analysis into action.
5. Visionary Thinking
A strong case is made for long-term thinking and the ability to inspire people by painting a compelling picture of the future. This part blends strategy with inspiration effectively.
6. Empowering Others
The author highlights delegation, coaching, and team-building as pivotal leadership tools. The book insists that exceptional leaders grow other leaders.
7. Resilience and Adaptability
In a world of constant change, the final “secret” is about staying grounded yet flexible. Stories of leaders who thrived through adversity add depth and authenticity.
Strengths:
Clear, actionable takeaways at the end of each chapter
Inspiring tone without being preachy
Practical frameworks that can be applied immediately
A good blend of theory and examples
Areas for Improvement:
Some ideas may feel familiar to seasoned readers of leadership books
Could benefit from more global or diverse leadership case studies
Final Thoughts:
The Seven Secrets of Exceptional Leadership isn’t just another book on leadership. It’s a distilled wisdom manual—concise, clear, and compelling. It encourages readers not just to lead teams, but to lead themselves with discipline, vision, and character. Highly recommended for professionals across industries who are ready to level up their leadership game.
The book is built around seven core “secrets,” which are more accurately described as universal truths or disciplines. Each chapter dives deep into one principle, drawing from real-life examples, psychological insights, and business case studies to illustrate how effective leadership is cultivated—not just inherited.
Here are some standout elements of the book:
1. Clarity of Purpose
The author emphasizes the need for leaders to be crystal clear about their mission, vision, and values. This foundation sets the tone for decision-making and inspires teams to align with a greater cause.
2. Emotional Intelligence
A significant portion of the book is devoted to mastering self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal communication—skills that are often underestimated but crucial to leadership success.
3. Integrity and Trust
Trust, the book argues, is the currency of leadership. The author underscores how consistency in words and actions builds loyalty and fosters a high-performance culture.
4. Decisive Action
Exceptional leaders are not paralysed by indecision. The book explores how to balance data-driven thinking with intuition and confidence, turning analysis into action.
5. Visionary Thinking
A strong case is made for long-term thinking and the ability to inspire people by painting a compelling picture of the future. This part blends strategy with inspiration effectively.
6. Empowering Others
The author highlights delegation, coaching, and team-building as pivotal leadership tools. The book insists that exceptional leaders grow other leaders.
7. Resilience and Adaptability
In a world of constant change, the final “secret” is about staying grounded yet flexible. Stories of leaders who thrived through adversity add depth and authenticity.
Strengths:
Clear, actionable takeaways at the end of each chapter
Inspiring tone without being preachy
Practical frameworks that can be applied immediately
A good blend of theory and examples
Areas for Improvement:
Some ideas may feel familiar to seasoned readers of leadership books
Could benefit from more global or diverse leadership case studies
Final Thoughts:
The Seven Secrets of Exceptional Leadership isn’t just another book on leadership. It’s a distilled wisdom manual—concise, clear, and compelling. It encourages readers not just to lead teams, but to lead themselves with discipline, vision, and character. Highly recommended for professionals across industries who are ready to level up their leadership game.
May 21, 2023
“A leader does not always need to be in the driver’s seat. Sometimes, the leader should allow others to lead the way.” ~ Chen Pink, reviewer of ‘The 7 Secrets of Exceptional Leadership’
I gave this Brian Tracy book 5 stars based on the following points:
• The hardcover was well designed, and I displayed it on my work desk like a motivational calendar.
• The seven secrets written were based on the author's experience and real-life examples, and they were well defined.
• The quotes from other successful leaders were also mentioned, and the photos of ships in this book best represent an exceptional leader who leads his team to sail the ship.
• I quoted the content from pages 89–93 in my Bookstagram reels to share with my audience how to value others’ importance, whether at work, school, or home.
Suggestions for improvement (based on the 2013 edition):
• The ‘evaluation’ section provided on pages 25–28 had good questions to reflect our actions, but this section should be included consistently under every 7 secrets.
• The paragraphing should be justified. The use of different font sizes and highlighting of words could be more organized.
• A few pages were redundant as they only showed pictures of ships. Include quotes or important summaries on them so readers can benefit.
I gave this Brian Tracy book 5 stars based on the following points:
• The hardcover was well designed, and I displayed it on my work desk like a motivational calendar.
• The seven secrets written were based on the author's experience and real-life examples, and they were well defined.
• The quotes from other successful leaders were also mentioned, and the photos of ships in this book best represent an exceptional leader who leads his team to sail the ship.
• I quoted the content from pages 89–93 in my Bookstagram reels to share with my audience how to value others’ importance, whether at work, school, or home.
Suggestions for improvement (based on the 2013 edition):
• The ‘evaluation’ section provided on pages 25–28 had good questions to reflect our actions, but this section should be included consistently under every 7 secrets.
• The paragraphing should be justified. The use of different font sizes and highlighting of words could be more organized.
• A few pages were redundant as they only showed pictures of ships. Include quotes or important summaries on them so readers can benefit.
August 22, 2025
Highly recommended! This is a no-nonsense book that gets straight to the point without any fluff. Brian Tracy delivers exactly what the title promises - a crisp, concise summary of all the right and important things you need to know about leadership.
The book doesn't waste your time with unnecessary stories or filler content. Instead, it's packed with practical, actionable advice that you can implement immediately. Tracy covers all the essential leadership fundamentals in a way that's easy to understand and remember.
What I loved most was how direct and practical everything was. No beating around the bush - just solid, proven leadership principles presented clearly. It's the kind of book you can read quickly but reference often.
Perfect for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills without wading through hundreds of pages of theory. Tracy knows his stuff and presents it efficiently. If you want a solid foundation in leadership principles delivered in a straightforward manner, this is it.
Would definitely recommend to anyone in a leadership role or aspiring to be one.
The book doesn't waste your time with unnecessary stories or filler content. Instead, it's packed with practical, actionable advice that you can implement immediately. Tracy covers all the essential leadership fundamentals in a way that's easy to understand and remember.
What I loved most was how direct and practical everything was. No beating around the bush - just solid, proven leadership principles presented clearly. It's the kind of book you can read quickly but reference often.
Perfect for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills without wading through hundreds of pages of theory. Tracy knows his stuff and presents it efficiently. If you want a solid foundation in leadership principles delivered in a straightforward manner, this is it.
Would definitely recommend to anyone in a leadership role or aspiring to be one.
March 10, 2025
If you want to read this book, I strongly suggest the print version.
One of those examples where an audio book can contain good general information but an author chooses to narrate themselves and completely drags down the book.
3 stars for content, 2 stars for narration
One of those examples where an audio book can contain good general information but an author chooses to narrate themselves and completely drags down the book.
3 stars for content, 2 stars for narration
April 12, 2020
Leaders have strong expectation. Always have outlook that's positive instead of the negative one. Good leader must know what they want the good follower they need to become.
December 21, 2020
RATING 4.11 STARS
Very nice and succinct look at the basic elements of leadership. Sound advice and encouragement.
Very nice and succinct look at the basic elements of leadership. Sound advice and encouragement.
June 18, 2024
Zo meh dat ik vergeten aanduiden was dat ik hem uit heb. Ook al vergeten waar hij precies over ging. Will not read again tho
July 2, 2024
In this book Tracy give tips for a better leadership
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March 11, 2025
The information in this book is good, but it's also a repackaging of information from numerous other books. Hitting the high points in a short read is always appreciated.
September 21, 2013
This is another inspiring book from Simple Truths. Now to put into practice what I have learned!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews