Upside-Down Leadership: A Zoo Veterinarian's Journey to Becoming a Servant Leader

by Don Janssen

If you had to choose between having power, authority, or influence in your career, which would you consider to be most fulfilling and effective?

Influence brings the truest significance to a career. But what does influence look like? How do you get it? As Don Janssen discovered, real influence comes through humble, service-based leadership.

This groundbreaking book from San Diego Zoo Global's retired corporate director of animal health provides a fresh-and highly practical-approach to leadership. With engaging stories, eye-opening interviews, and step-by-step advice, the book navigates common workplace challenges, providing a road map for those who want to effect positive change.

When Janssen applied this unusual leadership style to his work at the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park, it changed everything. By the time he retired as corporate director of animal health at San Diego Zoo Global, he was overseeing a small army of veterinarians and technicians, plus two clinical laboratories and nutrition staff. More important, he and his team had begun to have an influence on the decision-making of the entire organization.

Upside-Down Leadership details how Janssen implemented this valuable leadership concept. Featuring practical advice, interviews and research, and fascinating stories from Janssen s remarkable veterinary career, the book teaches future leaders how to make a lasting, influential difference in the organization they serve.

Genres: Nonfiction

171 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2019

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at a recent visit to the San Diego Zoo and it was an insightful read even for someone who isn't an animal lover or frequents zoos often. It's a great introduction to "servant leadership" with a nice sprinkling of real-life experience throughout. The primary audience is zoologists and those in the business of animals or zoos but it was enjoyable. My only suggestion is more "behind the scenes" stories with animals would have been nice. Overall, a good read and primer on how to initiate, implement and make progress in a large organization with a servant mindset.

[Jenna Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about servant leadership within the animal care field, and specifically within the field of zoological veterinary medicine. I appreciated all of the specific stories used to demonstrate the author’s points even when they weren’t relevant to my own work as a primate behaviorist, and think that anyone who works with animals will benefit from this book.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

-I didn't love this book, but only because it didn't have enough ZOO in it. If you aren't familiar with Servant Leadership, this is a nice intro in a way that can make sense in more technical fields. I just needed more pandas and elephants

[Tabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written amazing story about his time at SDZG and everything he learned along the way. It was so inspiring reading about the choices and decisions he made along the way. As a volunteer and an AIP student through SDGZ it gave me a new insight and made me appreciate even more everything SDZG does! A truly inspiring man who changed the way of SDZG for the better! A must read for anyone who wants to improve their work environment and their life as a servant leader!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on Leadership; fun to read after visiting the San Diego Zoo this past summer.