O'Brien's themes--be authentic, visionary, emotionally intelligent, an assertive communicator and connected to others through relationships and alliances--are covered in-depth in seperate chapters. Exercises, tools and specific guidance are also provided to help you turn the information presented into everyday practices.

The purpose of the book is not to help you become the next Jack Welch--being a great leader doesn't mean you have to get to the top. Rather, it is to provide you with practices and techniques that will transform you into a more positive, authentic leader who can make work better for yourself and those you currently lead.

Sample Topics:

• Identifying values: getting to the core of you.
• The dilemma of defensive behaviors.
• Leadership and parenting: the same skill set dealing with people you don't respect
• Assertive vs. Agressive
• Passive-agressive communicators: The alienators
• The art of asking powerful questions
• Managing your fear
• The problem with delegating perfection