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Lead with Heart: Transform Your Business Through Personal Connection
If you want your company to thrive, you need to break one of the oldest unwritten rules of leadership.
Leaders in nearly every industry have learned to keep a professional "distance" between themselves and the people who report to them—to avoid getting too close or too personal. This unwritten rule of leadership is pervasive and quietly destructive, and, little by little, keeping ourselves at arm's length destroys trust, collaboration, and the very fabric of organizations.
When Tom Gartland became president of Avis Budget Group, North America, he wanted the corporate culture to become more "open and connected"—so he started with himself. His message was "business is personal—very personal." As he grew closer and connected more with those he was leading, he became a more effective leader, and those around him were inspired to create unprecedented results.
Tom found that when we truly open up and care about the people we work with, we can transform organizations into sanctuaries where people feel a deep connection to one another, a profound sense of being part of an important mission, and extraordinary engagement in their work. The result? Employees who feel valued generate exceptional profits. After applying this business philosophy at Avis, not only did Tom see an increase in employee morale, he also saw a significant increase in the company's bottom line.
In Lead with Heart , Tom provides an unconventional approach to business leadership, including advice and strategies on how to open yourself up as a leader, recognize potential in your employees, and increase employees' trust in you and the company. Lead with Heart is the revolutionary leadership book that will help managers and employees at all levels grow their businesses by connecting, honestly and meaningfully, with the people they lead.
Leaders in nearly every industry have learned to keep a professional "distance" between themselves and the people who report to them—to avoid getting too close or too personal. This unwritten rule of leadership is pervasive and quietly destructive, and, little by little, keeping ourselves at arm's length destroys trust, collaboration, and the very fabric of organizations.
When Tom Gartland became president of Avis Budget Group, North America, he wanted the corporate culture to become more "open and connected"—so he started with himself. His message was "business is personal—very personal." As he grew closer and connected more with those he was leading, he became a more effective leader, and those around him were inspired to create unprecedented results.
Tom found that when we truly open up and care about the people we work with, we can transform organizations into sanctuaries where people feel a deep connection to one another, a profound sense of being part of an important mission, and extraordinary engagement in their work. The result? Employees who feel valued generate exceptional profits. After applying this business philosophy at Avis, not only did Tom see an increase in employee morale, he also saw a significant increase in the company's bottom line.
In Lead with Heart , Tom provides an unconventional approach to business leadership, including advice and strategies on how to open yourself up as a leader, recognize potential in your employees, and increase employees' trust in you and the company. Lead with Heart is the revolutionary leadership book that will help managers and employees at all levels grow their businesses by connecting, honestly and meaningfully, with the people they lead.
166 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 7, 2018
I read a lot of leadership books, and I'm always looking for something new. I figure that if I take away even one gem, it's been worth the time.
I was really excited about this book, which has been making waves all over the best seller lists. So, I nabbed it for my eReader and got down to business.
I admit that, at the end, I was disappointed. The advice boiled down to "build relationships with people" and "be authentic." Maybe that's revolutionary to some people, but it wasn't news for me.
I will say that Gartland's authorial voice was pleasant and collegial, and the book was well-written. It just didn't bring me anything I hadn't seen before.
I was really excited about this book, which has been making waves all over the best seller lists. So, I nabbed it for my eReader and got down to business.
I admit that, at the end, I was disappointed. The advice boiled down to "build relationships with people" and "be authentic." Maybe that's revolutionary to some people, but it wasn't news for me.
I will say that Gartland's authorial voice was pleasant and collegial, and the book was well-written. It just didn't bring me anything I hadn't seen before.
February 9, 2020
I heard a lot of excitement about this book and thought it would give me some real leadership nuggets to walk away with. Tom Gartland wrote a book that is an easy enough read, it is well written and tells personal stories in a moving way.
There isn't anything ground breaking here, but it does what it promised and focuses on building relationships as a leader.
I can't put my finger on exactly what it was that kept me from thinking this is a great book. I love reading of people's personal experiences, there is a part of me that just doesn't find Tom's voice authentic here. Either way the information is helpful, especially if you haven't read many leadership books- I just didn't connect with it as much as I hoped I would!
The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts
There isn't anything ground breaking here, but it does what it promised and focuses on building relationships as a leader.
I can't put my finger on exactly what it was that kept me from thinking this is a great book. I love reading of people's personal experiences, there is a part of me that just doesn't find Tom's voice authentic here. Either way the information is helpful, especially if you haven't read many leadership books- I just didn't connect with it as much as I hoped I would!
The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts
June 5, 2018
This book is inspiring in way that it is written from the personal leadership experience of the author. It made me shed tears when he was telling the story of a pivotal moment of his life.
I learned a lot from his experience on how to lead the people in his organisation.
I learned a lot from his experience on how to lead the people in his organisation.
March 9, 2025
Had to read for a course I’m taking in college. The book started off strong and was an easy read. The message seemed dragged out a bit after chapter 5/6. It gave good perspectives from actual experiences.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews