Flashback: The Best New Leadership Book Of 2021

Written by a wise, award-winning leadership and communications expert, Grossman supplies clear, timely, critical, actionable advice, how-to’s and tips for leaders as the pandemic continues to challenge us…and as we get past the pandemic.

I selected this book because the book is easy to read, incredibly engaging, and is filled with inspirational and powerful stories of lessons learned by a wealth of leaders with diverse backgrounds. Plus, it covers today’s pertinent topics for workplace leaders, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture. 

• It’s a playbook you’ll want to read and then refer to time after time. And, if you read only one leadership book next year, make it this one.

Reflecting on the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, David says, “I saw many leaders using this challenging time as an opportunity to stand up and lead in moving ways. I was continually inspired by the concrete action leaders took to lead and communicate with heart – and guts. That is what this book is all about – applying those lessons learned to provide clear direction on how to be the very best leader and communicator you can possibly be.” 

He adds, “During the pandemic, many leaders rose to the occasion, often by drawing not just from experience and wise counsel, but from being human as they led – what David calls Heart First leadership.” 

Ten book chapters cover

• Q&A from the front lines
• Lead yourself first
• Know your audience and their needs
• Show your human side
• Communicate the right messages at the right times
• Frame the context and make it relevant
• Talk openly about what’s happening
• Use the right channels to communicate with impact
• Be ready to answer questions
• Be respectfully authentic

As you dive into Heart First, you’ll read Q&As with fascinating insights and practical advice from many business leaders, presented in a style as if you were sitting with your favored mentor over a cup of coffee. 

Leaders and Change Makers featured in the book include: 

• Tamer Abuaita, Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain, SC Johnson
• Paula Angelo, Vice President, Internal and CEO Communications, The Hartford
• Nadeen Ayala, Chief Communications Office, ABM Industries
• Liru Chan, Head of Marketing, Visa Singapore
• Adam Collins, Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Office, Molson Coors
• Sherri Dublin, Vice President DE&I, Culture, Engagement and Communications, Ingredion
• Lisa Keltner, Senior Director, Inclusion and Diversity, Baxter
• Erin Loverher, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Walgreens
• Ken Meyers, Former CHRO, Hillrom
• Triona Schmelter, Chief Transformation Officer, TreeHouse Foods
• Stephen Smith, Chairmen, President and CEO of Amsted Industries
• Matt Snow, CEO, DHG
• Victor Swint, CEO, Tecomet
• And many others

One of my sections of the book is where Grossman teaches how best to select the right channel to communicate most effectively with your employees. He provides expert advice for communicating via:

• Face-to-face meetings
• Video conference calls
• Traditional conference calls
• Town halls
• Podcasts
• Written communication
• Email
• Text messages
• Voice mail
• Blogs
• Internal social media
• Intranet
• Employee surveys
• Infographics
• Notice boards
• Videos
• Your CEO
• Employee ambassadors
• Front-line managers

David Grossman

Today, Grossman shares these insights with us:

Question: What has the reader reaction been to the book since it was published this past summer?

Grossman: I’ve been incredibly humbled by the book’s overwhelmingly positive reception. While the book contains proven strategies, tips, tools, and time-savers to communicate with heart, not surprisingly, it’s the stories that are resonating most. These are real people opening up about their emotional journeys and how they managed to lead with humanity during these unprecedented times for business and society.

If a leader is committed to lifting others up and making the workplace better, we have a special opportunity for them to get the book at no cost (really!) for a limited time. That’s why we started our Great Giveback Giveaway, where you can GET a complimentary copy of the book during this season of giving, and then GIVE a copy to someone who’s had a positive impact on your career. Since we started, we’ve given away almost 3,400 copies to amazing trailblazers looking to learn and grow, and there’s still time to participate by using this