Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World

by John Hope Bryant

A dynamic young leader shows how leading with love and respect creates success in business and life Written by the founder of Operation HOPE and advisor to the past two U.S. presidents, this groundbreaking book makes the case that the best way to get ahead is to figure out what you have to give to a world seemingly obsessed with the What do I get? Aimed at a new generation of leaders and extremely relevant for today's economic climate, Love Leadership outlines Bryant's five laws of love-based leadership-Loss Creates Leaders (there can be no strength without legitimate suffering), Fear Fails (only respect and love leads to success), Love Makes Money (love is at the core of true wealth), Vulnerability is Power (when you open up to people they open up to you), and Giving is Getting (the more you offer to others, the more they will give back to you). Love Leadership is that unique and powerful book that bridges the gap between solid business advice and pure inspiration.

Genres: Leadership, Self Help, Business, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, author, advisor, and one of the nation’s most recognized empowerment leaders. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, and, as the author of Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey– Bass, 2009), is the only African-American best-selling business author in America. Mr. Bryant serves for President Barack Obama as chairman of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, Subcommittee on the Underserved and Community Empowerment.

Mr. Bryant is the cofounder of the Gallup– HOPE Index, the only national research poll on youth financial dignity and youth economic energy in the United States. He also is a cofounder of Global Dignity, with Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland. Global Dignity is affiliated with the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the World Economic Forum.

Mr. Bryant is a thought leader represented by the Bright- Sight Group for public speaking and serves on the board of directors of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (NYSE: ACRE), a specialty finance company managed by an affiliate of Ares Management LLC, a global alternative asset manager with approximately $59 billion in committed capital under management as of December 31, 2012.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really need to read this book--I'm already a "love leader"--but it was good to discover what his five main points are: 1)Loss creates leaders (there can be no inner growth without the pain of suffering!) 2) Fear fails 3) Love makes money 4)Vulnerability is power and 5) Giving is getting. I also liked (and recognized in others) his examples of fear-based leadership tactics: criticzing unfairly, blaming, applying rules inconsistently, stealing credit, making unreasonable demands, issuing threats, insults and accusations, denying accomplishments, excluding others from opportunities, assigning pointless tasks, personalizing problems, breaching confidentiality, and spreading rumors. Sounds much more like too many of the "leaders" I have encountered in my career. They just need to remember that it takes the power of love to banish fear!

[Chris Burd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, because I really do believe in the concepts behind it. However, I thought the narrative of the book itself was a little bit muddled and unclear. I would have liked to read a stronger focus on "good capitalism". A lot of the book talked about building relationships versus selling a product, which is a pretty common concept. (Or perhaps I'm being unfair, and this is just a topic - "consultative selling" - about which I've already spent a lot of time reading.) The more interesting part, to me, was the need for business to take a long-term view of improving the entire community, and therefore creating a stronger market for their long-term growth. This was touched on, but I would love to have dug into that further.

[Sondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Hope Bryant's book is about leading in a chaotic world and a less than stable economy. His rules for leading: Loss Creates Leaders; Fear Fails; Love Makes Money; Vulnerability is Power; Giving is Getting. He spends a lot of time talking about "Good Capitalism" within a free market economy. Overall, there's a lot of good bits of info in here, on how not to be an insensitive leader and how to lead a team in an effective, modern way. Worth the read. And his own personal story is quite interesting as well.

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wise and contrasting advice, contrasting that is, with the way many orgainzation and employers are run. Although the author seems to be tooting his own horn a lot, he does acknowledge making mistakes and especially learning from others. His awareness of the defective methods used by employers and how harmful they are to employees and business, as well as his emphasis on rejecting fear as a tool to manipulate others and reach goals is especially valuable today.

[Andrew T. Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Read this book while preparing for interview with John Hope Bryant on The Extra Effort Forum Global Radio Show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/extraeff.... John is larger than life, but still accessible and resourceful. The book lays out how to lead through serving; "Love Leadership""

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book worth reading

[LIFEfluency Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love Leadership" by John Hope Bryant is a captivating exploration of the power of love as a driving force in effective leadership. Bryant, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, presents a compelling argument for the transformative potential of love-centered leadership in both personal and professional spheres.

At the heart of Bryant's message is the concept of "love as a verb," emphasizing that love is not merely a sentiment but an actionable force that can inspire positive change and foster genuine connections among individuals. Drawing from his own experiences and insights gained through his work with various organizations, Bryant illustrates how leaders who prioritize love can cultivate trust, loyalty, and innovation within their teams.

One of the book's most compelling aspects is Bryant's emphasis on the role of empathy in leadership. He underscores the importance of understanding and valuing the perspectives of others, asserting that empathetic leaders are better equipped to address the needs and concerns of their constituents effectively.

Moreover, Bryant delves into the concept of "fearless love," encouraging leaders to confront their own fears and insecurities while embracing vulnerability as a catalyst for growth and authenticity. By embracing vulnerability and leading with courage and compassion, Bryant argues that leaders can create environments where individuals feel empowered to thrive and contribute their fullest potential.

Throughout "Love Leadership," Bryant seamlessly weaves together personal anecdotes, practical strategies, and thought-provoking insights to provide readers with a comprehensive roadmap for embracing love-centered leadership. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this book offers invaluable guidance for cultivating a leadership style rooted in empathy, integrity, and purpose.

"Love Leadership" is highly recommended for both parents and college students due to its universal themes and practical insights applicable to various life stages and roles. For parents, the book offers invaluable guidance on fostering positive relationships, nurturing empathy, and instilling values of compassion and integrity in their children. Bryant's emphasis on leading with love serves as a powerful reminder for parents to prioritize authentic connection and emotional support in their parenting journey. By incorporating the principles of love-centered leadership into their parenting approach, parents can cultivate environments where their children feel valued, understood, and empowered to thrive.

For college students, "Love Leadership" provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and future career aspirations. Bryant's message of fearless love and empathetic leadership resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities faced by young adults as they transition into adulthood. By embracing love-centered leadership principles, college students can develop essential leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and make a positive impact both on campus and in their communities

"Love Leadership" is a must-read for anyone seeking to harness the transformative power of love in their leadership journey. Bryant's engaging narrative and actionable insights make this book a standout resource for fostering meaningful connections, driving positive change, and unlocking the full potential of individuals and organizations alike.

[Eila Mcmillin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that there are some interesting and valid arguments in here, but I wouldn't adopt the kind of approach to leadership that Hope Bryant advocates for. Like there are some real gems of knowledge and truth, but I wouldn't take all of what is argued for wholesale. I think that taking the perspective that loss always begets growth is dangerous insofar as being a tool of toxic positivity. Just because s****y things happen to you doesn't mean that you're going to grown and transform from it. Certainly a lot of people do grow out of loss, but advocating that one should be able to turn personal loss into gold is just not healthy (and when I ranted about this to my therapist, she did agree with me). I also think that the author does not have healthy boundaries (talks a lot about working tons of hours), and that is not healthy nor sustainable and can impact efficacy of future work. Passion can make it easy to work long days, and sometimes that is necessary (for the final pushes on an important project for example). Working long hours and being married to the job as a lifestyle is not healthy and not having boundaries often leads to burn out as the best case scenario.

[Cathy Konopa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began to worry reading this book that it was going to be another pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps success story. You know the kind: Through sheer grit and determination, I went from rags to riches and became incredibly successful, and you can do the same. Something along the lines of Benjamin Franklin and our American obsession with individualism, which justifies leaving others to fend for themselves.

But, refreshingly, it's not. While he says, "With hope, anything is possible," he is also supporting a model of leadership that advocates being the supplier of that hope to those who need some extra help. And, let's face it: we all need extra help from time to time.

Simple, quick read. Not terribly original but useful just the same. I am thrilled to see this diverse voice added to the canon of works on leadership because there are so few of such voices. This book provides a leadership origin story that more people can now identify with.

[Cara Deane · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021!! Nothing life-changing here but as I go into a new year and leading a team of assassins, I read this book to remind myself that Love Wins. In 20 years of military and federal law enforcement, I have had some interesting leaders. Some were downright bad. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I’ve had bosses that used fear as a tactic, I’ve seen bosses throw things and scream at people, I’ve been in places I didn’t feel valued or seen— and so, as a leader, that’s just not who I want to be. Bryant reminds us of the power of love, creating a healthy environment, actually caring about your people. He talks about when he flipped out on a team on one occasion— but that he learned from it. Which I appreciate. Any good leader knows, a good leader is constantly evolving, perfecting, studying leadership and humanity. A good leader is not a perfect leader but, amongst other things, someone who strives to create a safe place to perfect the mission. #iread #chasingcarabooks #chasingcarabooks2021

[Darin Simms · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, not a great book but not a waste of time either. Bryant does a nice job explaining his 5 Laws of Love-based Leadership as he weaves the story of his life, the founding of Operation HOPE, and cultural commentary. The laws are not new thoughts but they are older thoughts presented in a different way. My biggest complaint is that while he names & explains the laws and then tells a story or two to illustrate the law in action, he is not precise on how to implement these laws into an existing organization.
If you’re just beginning to learn about leadership, this book can be helpful. If you’re a seasoned leader looking to expand your understanding of leadership, this book will not be particularly helpful. It’s easy to read and flows relatively smoothly. His stories are interesting & engaging while sometimes longer than needed to make his point.

[Jim Amos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great and inspiring quotes and a few memorable insights, but let down by a lack of cohesion and the fact that so much of the backstory is based on specific events that happened 15 years ago, making it not quite as relevant today. I also read a few passages that left me a bit skeptical of the author’s integrity, which is a bit jarring and really at odds with the message of the book. Anyway, glad I read it for the quotes, I was just hoping for more. Subject-wise it’s hard to find business men who write about leading with their hearts and not just their ego, which is a shame.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun business book because the author talks about flipping typical business on its head and pursuing good capitalism. It's about making a profit not just for yourself, but for everybody. Sorely needed and mostly ignored.

[Auni B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't finish this book, too author-centred.

[Eula C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book by John Hope Bryant. Leaders searching to be authentic and finding a purpose in their leadership should read this book.

[Desiree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of fluff, fee-good stuff. The worst part of it was when I gave Operation Hope a call and it was absolutely the WORST conversation I have had in a long time, if ever. So much about offering hope and love! Would not recommend this book to anyone!

[Allegra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a positive and inspiritional meeting. I found some very applicable quotes which I shared with my co workers. This book approaches leadership in a spiritual way and not a selfish self serving for the bad format.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have seen John Hope Bryant speak. He is insightful and inspiring.

[La'shaun Mcnicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and a must read for everyone.

[John R Naugle]

This looks like a good book. John Hope Bryant is the founder of Operation Hope: www.OperationHope.org