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The Intangibles of Leadership: The 10 Qualities of Superior Executive Performance
It's the Subtleties that Matter! What is the real difference between competent leader and extraordinary executive? Is it pedigree, experience, intelligence? The answer is yes...and much more. Exceptional leadership hinges on a complex interaction between individual psychology and unique business needs. At the top rung of the ladder, where the dynamics are most complicated, subtle adjustments in style can produce outstanding results.
In his new book, "The Intangibles of Leadership," Management Psychologist Richard Davis, Ph.D., uncovers patterns in the attributes that truly distinguish those who succeed at the top. What he found was that extraordinary leaders possess certain characteristics that fall between the lines of existing leadership models, yet are fundamental to executive success. Davis explains each of these qualities, the people who exemplify them, how to detect them in others, and most importantly, how to develop the subtle characteristics that will enable them to stand out from the pack.
Learn why... It's often better to aim for silver than for gold Playing hard to get attracts people to you It's important to have a slightly inflated view of your abilities Your peripheral vision is so important It's ok to get angry with your team So many extraordinary executives have gone through crises early in their lives
In his new book, "The Intangibles of Leadership," Management Psychologist Richard Davis, Ph.D., uncovers patterns in the attributes that truly distinguish those who succeed at the top. What he found was that extraordinary leaders possess certain characteristics that fall between the lines of existing leadership models, yet are fundamental to executive success. Davis explains each of these qualities, the people who exemplify them, how to detect them in others, and most importantly, how to develop the subtle characteristics that will enable them to stand out from the pack.
Learn why... It's often better to aim for silver than for gold Playing hard to get attracts people to you It's important to have a slightly inflated view of your abilities Your peripheral vision is so important It's ok to get angry with your team So many extraordinary executives have gone through crises early in their lives
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2010
18 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Davis
4 books4 followersDr. Richard Davis is an organizational psychologist and managing director at Russell Reynolds Associatess. He has extensive experience advising CEOs, including those leading Fortune 100 companies or otherwise in the public eye. Clients include Under Armor, Best Buy, Target, Endeavor (WME Entertainment), the National Basketball Association, Canada Goose, Time Warner Cable, Dell, the Commercial Bank of Qatar, and Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment.
He has also assessed senior executives and board members from companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Starbucks, Amazon, General Motors, Walmart, Home Depot, United Health, and Google. He is the author of The Intangibles of Leadership and has appeared on national television and radio and in print media, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, BusinessWeek, Globe and Mail, CNBC, and Harvard Business Review.
He has also assessed senior executives and board members from companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Starbucks, Amazon, General Motors, Walmart, Home Depot, United Health, and Google. He is the author of The Intangibles of Leadership and has appeared on national television and radio and in print media, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, BusinessWeek, Globe and Mail, CNBC, and Harvard Business Review.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 14, 2016
Very analytical. The intangibles seem spot on from what I can see in my life. Used a lot of words though. I felt the book could have been cut in half.
September 16, 2017
Bill Hybels recommended The Intangibles of Leadership, so I picked it up. I'm glad I did. Richard Davis combines his expertise in industrial/organizational psychology with his experience facilitating executive excellence. Interesting, informative, and challenging, Davis highlights ten factors that differentiates great leaders. An added plus is that Dr. Davis puts feet to social science research which is often ignored in much leadership literature.
June 28, 2017
This was a really good book, chocked full of insights, examples and practical ways to implement the leadership skills they discuss.
October 23, 2025
Not a bad book. I was a little disappointed by the number of fluff stories included. Not bad contents though, but my rating would be higher if I didn't have to cut through the fat to get to the meat.
July 31, 2016
Great Book On the Most Important Part of Leadership
Leadership skills are critical to learn. But they're the easy part. It's the character qualities that matter most and take more work to build. This is the best book on the unique character leaders need. Great stories, deep ideas, and strong challenges. A MUST read for leaders.
Leadership skills are critical to learn. But they're the easy part. It's the character qualities that matter most and take more work to build. This is the best book on the unique character leaders need. Great stories, deep ideas, and strong challenges. A MUST read for leaders.
Want to read
May 28, 2015Recommended by Willow Creek
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews