FT Business Book of the Year

Best business books

All the books longlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award

Why Should Anyone Be Led by You by Rob Goffee, Gareth Jones

Why Should Anyone Be Led by You

This book does not provide all the answers. But it does ask many of the right questions, and that in itself, in an age where the shortage of capable leadership is threatening to turn into a famine, is a good start. — Read the complete FT review

Synopsis

Too many companies are managed not by leaders, but by mere role players and faceless bureaucrats. What does it take to be a real leader–one who is confident in who she is and what she stands for and who truly inspires people to achieve extraordinary results?

Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones argue that leaders don’t become great by aspiring to a list of universal character traits. Rather, effective leaders are authentic: They deploy individual strengths to engage followers’ hearts, minds, and souls. They are skilful at consistently being themselves, even as they alter their behaviors to respond effectively in changing contexts. In this lively and practical book, Goffee and Jones draw from extensive research to reveal how to hone and deploy one’s unique leadership assets while managing the inherent tensions at the heart of successful leadership: showing emotion and withholding it, getting close to followers while keeping distance, and maintaining individuality while “conforming enough.” Underscoring the social nature of leadership, the book also explores how leaders can remain attuned to the needs and expectations of followers.

Why Should Anyone Be Led by You? changes forever how we view, develop, and practice the art of leadership, wherever we live and work.