CENTERED LEADERSHIP Leading with Purpose, Clarity, and Impact

At times, narrator Glynnis O’Connor reads this professional development lesson with a tinge of intellectual distance, especially when the authors slip into “academic speak,” describing the details of how they surveyed the literature and interviewed high achievers to arrive at their leadership success formula. But her tone becomes warmer and more accessible when the McKinsey consultants, both experienced workshop leaders, offer engaging personal disclosures and raise heartfelt questions for their listeners. The authors use probing exercises to show how listeners can get feedback and improve in five realms of personal functioning. O’Connor’s optimism works well with the book’s inspiring message that discovering and improving one’s strengths is a better way to grow than struggling with weaknesses or trying too hard to conform to contextual expectations. T.W. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]