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 question: 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).
One of today's most influential leaders, Bryant has appeared on Oprah and in articles in the LA Times, NY Times, and the Wall Street Journal
Bryant's bold approach to leadership is well-suited for today's tough economic environment and a world gripped by fear and uncertainty
Outlines the innovative five laws of love-based leadership
Love Leadership is that unique and powerful book that bridges the gap between solid business advice and pure inspiration.
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'... serves as a beacon of new leadership, demonstrating how leading with love and respect...creates success in business.' (EuroInvestor.co.uk, February 2011).
From the Inside Flap
In 1992, at the age of 26, John Hope Bryant was running a successful financial services firm when the Los Angeles riots broke out. After the violence and chaos subsided, Bryant saw that his community needed a "hand up, not a handout," so he founded Operation HOPE, an organization dedicated to helping low-wealth communities attain financial literacy empowerment. Today, Bryant is a sought-after speaker recognized for his leadership and service around the world.
In Love Leadership, Bryant chronicles his story of transformation from a teenager growing up in South Los Angeles to the leader of one of the most impressive antipoverty organizations in the country, and shares the unlikely ingredient for his leadership success: love. He shows leaders how to break away from the long-standing leadership style—one based on fear. Instead, he suggests that the best way to lead in both your professional and personal life is to figure out what you have to give others in a world obsessed with the question "what do I get?"
Drawing on his remarkable success story and on interviews with love-based leaders such as Former President Bill Clinton, Bill George,and Andrew Young, Bryant outlines the five laws of love-based leadership:
Loss creates leaders: There can be no inner growth without the pain of legitimate suffering.
Fear fails: Leading through fear is antiquated and self-defeating, a crippling indulgence that we can no longer afford.
Love makes money: The expression of love in business—creating long-term relationships with customers and employees based on caring for others and doing good—makes everyone wealthy.
Vulnerability is power: When you open up, people open up to you. Real leaders know that vulnerability is not a weakness, but rather their greatest strength.
Giving is getting: Leaders give, followers take. Giving inspires loyalty, attracts good people, confers peace of mind, and lies at the core of true wealth.
Aimed at a new generation of leaders and extremely relevant in today's complex and fast-moving world, Love Leadership is a bold and contrarian guide to leadership and success.
On February 1st, 2009, in the midst of the worst global economic crisis in recent history, thought leader John Hope Bryant was chosen to speak at the closing session for the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, joining Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland, on the subject of "dignity for all."
In early 2008, Bryant's silver rights advocacy inspired the U.S. government to make financial literacy the policy of the U.S. federal government for the first time in our nation's history.
John Hope Bryant is a philanthropic entrepreneur and businessman, in the business of empowerment. This includes Mr. Bryant's non-profit work throughout the United States, through Operation HOPE, his global non-profit work led by HOPE Global Initiatives, his vast work in public policy, and his increasing portfolio in "thought leadership."
On January 22nd, 2008, Mr. Bryant was appointed by then President George W. Bush as vice-chairman of the bi-partisan U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. Vice chairman until January, 2010, Mr. Bryant proudly now serves the historic presidency of the Honorable Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States. In this role Mr. Bryant also serves as chairman of the Under-Served Committee for the U.S. President's Council. Seeing this crisis in global dimensions, Mr. Bryant also serves on the Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum, as an advisor on financial literacy and financial empowerment.
Mr. Bryant is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, America's first non-profit social investment banking organization, now operating in 68 U.S. communities and South Africa, having raised more than $500 million from the private sector to empower the poor.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton described Mr. Bryant in his recent bestselling book GIVING saying, "John Bryant is a 41 year-old whirlwind of ideas and action. Lean, intense, focused, and completely positive in his belief in the potential of poor people to prosper, with 'a hand up and not a hand out.'"
A national community leader cited by the past four sitting U.S. presidents for his work to empower low-wealth communities across America, and an active advisor to the past two U.S. presidents, John Hope Bryant is one of the most authoritative and compelling advocates for poverty eradication in America today.
As a student of leadership and a voracious reader of more than 100 books on the subject, I would like to compliment John Hope Bryant on writing a book that I believe ranks among the best that I have read. Love Leadership is an outstanding inaugural writing effort from an exciting new author.
This book is an easy read, but it's points of emphasis are anything but leadership lite. This is heavy weight, substantive, material. The concepts of Love Leadership apply to everyone who leads and since leadership is everyone's business - this book is suitable for everyone and applies to everyone.
My particuar favorite among John's leadership principles states "No storm...no rainbow." You can't have one without the other. I used that concept personally this evening when coaching a young man who was experiencing some personal stuggles. This individual needed leadership, but he also needed love. John's foundational beliefs enable the reader to easily and seamlessly apply both effectively.
The book is interesting and well written. Mr Bryant writes with passion, energy and enthusiasm. He also writes with skill and knowledge.
This was a page turner that I read in two days. When I put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. I am a highlighter when I read and I found much to highlight in this book. His precepts are right on target. They are meorable and I will reference them often my role as a leader and a teacher of leaders.
John brings a bold, fresh, and courageous approach to a well documented, well researched, and frequently written about subject.
I have have discussed this book with my friends and I enthusiastically recommend it to others.
They say our lives are made not of atoms but stories. Bryant shares with us his own transformation from a man intent on proving himself successful in the traditional, business sense to one whose life finds meaning in the service of others. The author, now vice chair of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, entered the post-riots-zone of 1990s South Central Los Angeles, invited in some major power brokers who might not normally cruise this part of town and exposed them to the repressed yet golden potential that resided within the people of this community. Seeding financial literacy programs and additional services whereby citizens could own their own homes and businesses, he and his enlightened partners helped clear a space for hope to emerge from the ashes. Yes, these are the stories of l-i-f-e!
On a larger scale, Bryant takes on the fear, greed and "short term-ism" so rampant in modern day capitalism and asks us to consider the possibilities of a "good capitalism." (As I read this, I thought: Can we refine the rules of capitalism. One answer: Why not?!) Bryant shares many stories of successful business leaders, ministers, aspiring youth, line workers and U.S. Presidents who have inspired him. He challenges us to challenge ourselves to become "best in class" players in terms of how we apply our leadership talents in the world.
On a personal note, as I read this book I also pondered my own legacy and the tradition of servant-leaders from which I come (although back in the day, they were just good people trying to advocate for those less fortunate.) Many of us can tap into such legacies as it's the stuff this country was built on.... Bryant makes a profound case for casting off our exuberant apathy and clearing a space for the power of love leadership to burn bright. This book will show you how. Maura Conlon-McIvor, Author, FBI GIRL.Read more ›
John Hope Bryant is a man of conviction; dynamic & inspiring. His program, Operation HOPE has given hope to communities in their pursuit of a fearless path to economic prosperity. This book delivers a message of hope for anyone, that we can live our lives fearlessly, and with purpose; it's all about focusing on helping others first.
To the self-absorbed cynics throughout society, Bryant's message of "hope" may be perceived as nothing more than tired platitudes, with no real practical benefit in the real world. Wrong. His logic is sound; his advice relevent. This is a book that has very real, pragmatic solutions for much of our social challenges. We just have to read it and heed the advice.
Bryant's central theme revolves around eliminating the "fear-based" attitudes that seem to have taken over the world. I've been ranting about a "fear-based" culture permeating corporate America for quite some time; how it's killing innovation, employee morale, and productivity. Bryant takes that same concept and projects it to the world as a whole. It's time society changes that mindset. It's time to stop thinking about "Number One". That way of thinking has put us in the mess we're in today. Change is critical to our long-term well-being as a society.
Bryant is a true visionary, with a wonderful message to deliver. I hope the world listens, for its own sake.
It has been a long time since I've read a book that has left such a deep impression, and more importantly, given me an overwhelming sense of hope.
John Hope Bryant's Love Leadership doesn't so much teach new concepts as distill what great leaders of this past century have practiced and promoted -- Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Gandhi.
But what this book does (and does powerfully) is make the five tenets that John Hope Bryant proposes, doable.
Bryant's searing honesty is the "special sauce" that makes the message stick. His personal anecdotes are shared without sugar-coating. And then there's his wonderful ability to make every statement a profound "quotable quote" ("You are the best asset and the worst obstacle in your life." "Loss fires your spirit, and it steels your mettle.")
I finished reading Love Leadership last Friday, and recommended it to a friend on Saturday who went to the bookstore in the next hour to buy it. I'm currently re-reading it and I think I will be re-reading it many times over, and putting Bryant's advice into practice. This book has given me a blueprint for how to take my organisation to the next level -- by going back a level and fixing the foundation. The story that sticks with me most is the one about how Operation HOPE found itself short on fulfilled pledges for 2008 because of the economic crisis. Most leaders would have accepted this as a natural side-effect of an ailing economy but not Bryant. He got in there, rolled up his sleeves and got to work raising funds. Operation HOPE ended the year raising more than what was originally pledged.
Bryant lives what he teaches: "Fear is a prosperity killer." "It takes the power of love to banish fear...... that love takes the form of long-term business relationships built on caring and doing good." "Love leadership puts love into action."
