Be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work for: A Guide for New Leaders
Why top-performer skills aren’t enough and how shifting to people-first leadership transforms your impact
About This Book
Ever wondered why your stellar track record as an individual contributor falls flat when you become a manager? This guide takes first-time supervisors through a powerful journey of flipping the script—from “me” to “we”—and mastering the mindset, skills, and behaviors that turn technical experts into inspiring bosses. You’ll discover why most new leaders struggle, learn research-backed strategies to adopt a growth mindset, decode nonverbal communication, wield influence with head, heart, and hands, and build trust through empathy. Packed with stories, neuroscience insights, and practical exercises, this book arms you with everything you need to lead teams that trust, engage, and excel.About the Author
William Gentry is an industrial-organizational psychologist and expert in leadership development at the Center for Creative Leadership. He studies and trains frontline supervisors worldwide and has authored peer-reviewed research on what makes or breaks a boss’s first 18 months. Having just taken on his own director role, Gentry blends academic rigor with real-world insight, sharing personal stories of struggle and success. His engaging coaching style and data-driven strategies have transformed how organizations support first-time leaders.
Biggest Takeaway
Readers who apply these insights will replace isolating habits with collaborative leadership, boosting team morale and performance. You’ll gain the confidence to navigate your new role with a growth mindset, turning setbacks into opportunities. By sharpening your nonverbal communication and empathy, you’ll foster deeper trust and loyalty. Learning head, heart, and hands-based influence ensures buy-in for your ideas without resorting to authority alone. Finally, you’ll design personalized action plans and leverage social support so you never face leadership challenges alone. The result is a measurable rise in team engagement, productivity, and your own job satisfaction.
Key Insights from This Book
Explore the most important ideas and learn how to apply them in your life.
Why the ‘Me First’ Mindset Costs You as a New Boss
How Your Unseen Leadership Script Shapes Every Decision
The Secret Power of Persuading Yourself to Embrace Growth
Why Talking to Yourself Like ‘You’ Makes You a Better Boss
Unlock Trust by Mastering Six Nonverbal Channels
Why the Platinum Rule Beats the Golden One in Leadership
How to Persuade with Head, Heart, and Hands for Real Buy-In
The Hidden Influence of Your Emotions on Team Health
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