Leadership & Culture

Leadership and Culture, Why Managers Fail and Leaders Prevail lays its premise out in the title. Management without attention to leadership can result in a total attention on task management without recognition of the people who are doing the work, why they do it, and how to motivate excellence in the workplace. The authors lay out some clear steps and areas requiring attention. This book is an easy read and a bit of primer on some basic leadership philosophy and will be useful to newer managers/leaders and can be a pick me up for more experienced leaders.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.

Structure

The book is broken down into five key skills, and then further into related chapters with subtopics on each skill. From building trust to inspiring motivation, Leadership and Culture starts from the ground up.

The length of the book makes it approachable to pick up. At 210 pages in its entirety, it concisely covers the skills, examples and action points to succinctly set you on the path for success.

Although I read the book in chronological order, I would argue that it would be possible to go back to any of these sections at any point and revisit the content. To an extent there are references to early chapters and content as a foundation, but this wouldn’t stop anyone from being able to read a section standalone.

On a practical level, it means the book can be picked up countless times and never lose its value, regardless of how many times you pick it up again. I can see myself picking this up and revisiting the book, especially if there are certain skills I want to brush up on, or scenarios where I am inexperienced in handling them!


Ideas

The content of the book would be especially great for either aspiring or first time managers, or as a refresher of fundamentals for the more experienced. The book’s content is both approachable and relatable, whilst demonstrating the extensive research that asks up each idea. Throughout, I was able to visualise the examples in the practical terms of my own experience at work.

Not only do the scenarios in the book ring true, but then the author’s have outlined practical action points for managers to adopt to resolve conflict or pressure in a way that promotes positivity. It’s as much a practical guide as it is a compilation of case studies of what can happen when things go wrong.

I think this also has value for all employees. As I mention in the introduction, culture isn’t strictly created by the few at the top. It’s about the whole workplace. Sure, managers and senior staff will have a lot of influence over it, but not entirely.

Leadership and Culture has value in helping us understand where workplace culture isn’t working and raise awareness. Often, we can recognise that something isn’t quite right but are unable to identify a problem exactly. The topics and downfalls explored in this book are ones that I can see happening in every workplace at some point in time. Even in big name companies! Many of the examples within are names we know.


Summary

Leadership and Culture is all about positive change. If you are looking to make positive change in your life in 2024, or would like to start making improvements in your workplace, this book is a great place to start!

"Leadership & Culture: Why Managers Fail and Leaders Prevail" by John and Katie McCann is a comprehensive guide that deserves a solid four stars for its insightful exploration of leadership principles, fostering positive workplace culture, and empowering individuals to become inspiring leaders rather than mere managers.

The book starts by addressing a critical statistic: 82% of employees would consider quitting their job due to a bad boss. The authors make a compelling case for aspiring to be a leader rather than a boss, emphasizing the transformative impact that true leadership can have on employee satisfaction, dedication, and organizational success.

One of the strengths of this guide lies in its practical and actionable advice. Whether you're a new manager, an experienced leader, or a business owner, the McCanns provide valuable insights and tools to enhance leadership skills and cultivate a positive workplace culture. The emphasis on being an empathetic leader who inspires and influences sets the tone for creating a motivated and dedicated workforce.

The book covers a wide range of topics, from understanding the importance of company culture to exploring the levels of leadership and addressing challenges like impostor syndrome. The inclusion of real-world examples, such as lessons from top companies like Apple and Walt Disney, adds depth and relevance to the concepts presented.

The authors highlight the role of emotional intelligence in successful leadership and provide practical strategies for developing this crucial skill. The guide also delves into the significance of relationship management, integrity, and the willingness to embrace mistakes as vital to organizational growth.

One minor drawback is that certain sections, while informative, could benefit from a more in-depth exploration. For instance, the discussion on developing relationship management skills could be expanded to offer more practical scenarios and examples.

In conclusion, "Leadership & Culture" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and create a positive workplace environment. John and Katie McCann deliver a well-structured guide filled with actionable insights, making it a must-read for those committed to becoming inspirational leaders capable of steering their teams toward success. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an aspiring one, this comprehensive manual provides the tools and knowledge needed to transform your approach and make a lasting impact on your organization.

It’s an easy to follow book with good concepts and tips for any leader. In my option it’s good for new as well as established leaders.

Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and the authors for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.