BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership
Author: Adam Bryant
Publisher: HBR Press
List Price: $32.00
Format: Hard Cover, 209 pages
Publication Date: 2023
ISBN: 978-1-64782-489-1
Reviewer: Michael Branham
Review Date: December 2023
Introduction
Through a mix of personal anecdotes, industry insights, and practical wisdom, “The Leap to Leader” explores the intricacies of the path to becoming an effective leader. From steering company strategies to establishing and managing their own companies, Adams’ interviewees provide a checklist for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs in similar domains.
Overview of Book’s Structure
Chapter 1 – Do You Really Want to Lead?
Chapter 2 – First, Be a Great Manager
Chapter 3 – Win Promotions without Asking for Them
Chapter 4 – Make the Leap to Leader
Highlights
We start off in Chapter 1, where Adam asks us to provide direct and honest assessments of ourselves. What is my end goal? Am I ready for the work? This sets the tone for the rest of the book. Then, we look at the steppingstone of leadership, Management. Here, he dives into the good and bad behaviors that have developed both bad and good leaders. Chapter 3 pushes us to work for the team and not ourselves. Once we adopt this mentality, we have to then decide to “make the leap”.
Throughout the teachings of this book, Adam treats us to the great insights and advice of successful C-level leaders and business owners across industries, cultures, and countries. They provide snippets of their professional moments when they “realized their calling” with both their wins and their challenges.
Highlights: What I liked!
The interviews! It’s great to hear so many different perspectives from established and accomplished leaders in their respective fields. My favorite was Chapter 3. This chapter should be the blueprint and mantra that all professionals, at any level, should practice at all times. It sends a genuine message to the reader that we are all in this together and will only get through it together. Success is not made by one individual, and successful leaders, with a loyal following, know this.
More…
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How to cite this review: Branham, M. (2024). The Leap to Leader, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue I, January. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pmwj137-Jan2024-Branham-The-Leap-to-Leader-book-review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Michael Branham
Plano, TX, USA
Meet this husband, father, brother, friend, project manager, and proud business owner. With over 21 years in project management and leading cross functional teams, he continues to increase his stronghold in the Telecommunications and Information Technology sectors. From overseeing programs and managing projects, he ensures full transparency and honest feedback to ensure success on every endeavor.
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