Heart-Centered Leadership: An Invitation to Lead From the Inside Out [Hardcover]

Susan Steinbrecher (Author), Joel B. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

Providing a counterpoint to the ethical bankruptcy of contemporary business, Heart-Centered Leadership champions the message that sound ethical practices must begin from within. This kind of leadership is a personal choice and involves the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.

Through the application of seven underlying principles and virtues, the authors describe a clear path: from the moment you are inspired to be a heart-centered leader through the process of developing the healthy attitudes and responsive actions needed to convert your inspiration into reality. This focus- an inward, mindful striving to do the right thing and become the best person you can be - sets this path to leadership apart from other strategies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...both accurate and compelling, centering in on an essential issue for today. -- James Campbell Quick, Professor of Organizational Behavior; Director, Doctoral Program in Business Administration, Center for Research on Organizational and Managerial Excellence, University of Texas at Arlington

It will...stimulate your intellect as it is based on research that reinforces the conclusions in a logical way. -- Wally Doolin, CEO, La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe

This book cracks the code. Leadership happens on the inside... -- Robert E. Quinn, M. E. Tracy Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at the University of Michigan Business School

From the Publisher

Full of interviews with leaders, examples drawn from diverse business, reference tools, scientific data, and exercises to aid in the actualization of these principles and values, Heart-Centered Leadership goes beyond theory to help you assimilate this knowledge into your life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 177 pages
• Publisher: Black Pants Publishing (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970373619
• ISBN-13: 978-0970373618
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Steinbrecher, an internationally acclaimed businesswoman, executive coach, speaker and author, is CEO of Steinbrecher And Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm that provides professional-development services in the areas of executive coaching, group facilitation and leadership training. Steinbrecher is the co-founder of The Institute for Heart-Centered Leadership, which teaches the core principles and virtues of transformational leadership, characterized by care, concern, honesty and humility. She is co-author of: Heart-Centered Leadership: An Invitation to Lead from the Inside Out; Roadmap to Success; and Straight Talk from America's Top 10 Speakers and has been a featured expert on MSNBC Your Business, FOX and NBC TV, as well as numerous radio shows, Fortune Small Business magazine, Woman's Day and CNN.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Successful Leadership Starts Right Here, March 16, 2006

By 

Robert T. Schaefer (Frisco,Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart-Centered Leadership: An Invitation to Lead From the Inside Out (Hardcover)

The seven principles and virtues spelled out in this book represent the core foundation of effective and meaningful leadership. In essence, the ultimate secret to effective leadership is influence (read any book by John C. Maxwell to confirm this universal truth). However, I have noticed through my study and research on the topic of leadership, that little is ever mentioned on how influence actually transpires, or better yet, how or why a person should expect to increase his or her personal ability to generate real and meaningful influence.

This ability starts from within. There is no escaping this fundamental truth. Whether the situation calls for being a great parent, a trusted friend, or outstanding CEO, the reason that people follow you is because of the light you shine from the inside out. Lao-Tzu mentioned that "the ways of the sage are attractive." Thus, the secret to influence is attraction, and attraction in turn is achieved through modeling honest, heart-felt compassion for self and other. The virtues laid out in this book walk the reader through the transforming world of inner wisdom and personal integrity in a way that is fresh, original, and illuminating.

The ways of the great leader are naturally attractive, so people naturally follow: Through good times and bad, through periods of tremendous change and adversity, through thick and thin. Behavior modeling is a more powerful teacher than positive and negative reinforcement ever could be. Because the leader is an authentic and honest person, their organization will shape and create a culture of honesty. Influence is clearly understood by Steinbrecher and Bennett as being the "outcome" of effective leadership, not the starting point, not the descriptor. Heart-Centered Leadership is a fantastic way to start your journey of building an authentic legacy in life, both personal and professional.

If only I could give this book six stars instead of five I would do so...in a heartbeat.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Business Results Through Heart-Centered Leadership, April 19, 2007

By 

Doris Sims, SPHR "Author of Building Tomorrow... (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart-Centered Leadership: An Invitation to Lead From the Inside Out (Hardcover)

As a talent management director in a Fortune 50 company, I have used Heart-Centered Leadership as part of our high potential and leadership development programs. This book demonstrates the importance of serving as a leader in a way that engages, retains, and motivates employees, and also clearly demonstrates why this leadership style increases business results.

The book provides exercises and checkpoint tools that make it a great "leadership book discussion" choice for leaders within an intact work group, or for an individual reading the book who can then use the tools to identify practical applications and actions to take on the job.