Workplace Culture

Stop feeling stuck in traditional leadership approaches—master 7 heart-led actions that transform how you lead, connect authentically with your team, and drive business growth.

Leading with only technical skills isn't enough anymore. You need people to build a successful business—and today's workforce demands leaders who see beyond the bottom line. If you're feeling stuck or sensing that traditional leadership advice isn't connecting, this is your roadmap to the modern leadership approach that actually works.

Through 7 practical, heart-led actions, you'll learn to connect authentically with your team, drive engagement, and achieve measurable business results. Being vulnerable takes courage, but when you lead with generosity, you unlock profound benefits:

• deeper team connections
• stronger organizational performance
• accelerated career growth
• broader societal impact

This proven framework includes the following:

1. Generous communication to build trust
2. Generous listening to understand perspectives
3. Generous inclusion to invite collaboration
4. Becoming an ally to create opportunities
5. Generous development to validate and expand potential
6. Generous moments to acknowledge what matters
7. Showing up authentically without masks

Through unforgettable stories from the author and CEOs of well-recognized companies, you'll see exactly how generous leadership transformed their organizations and careers. Winner of the NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite and Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award finalist, this is the trusted reference for leaders ready to master modern leadership.

Almost 3 million copies sold. The classic that changed how we think about leadership—now fully updated.

What if the problem isn't your team, your boss, or your organization?

What if it's you—and you can't see it?

Leadership and Self-Deception reveals an uncomfortable truth: We systematically blind ourselves to our real motivations, then wonder why our relationships and results suffer. We tell ourselves stories that cast us as the hero and others as the obstacle. And those stories keep us stuck.

Through a compelling narrative, this book exposes the hidden patterns of self-deception that sabotage even our best intentions—in the workplace, at home, and in every relationship that matters. More importantly, it shows you how to break free.

For over two decades, this book has transformed how leaders, teams, and organizations work together.

The fourth edition is completely rewritten with

• fresh stories and a broader, more diverse cast of characters;
• new individual study and group discussion guides; and
• practical tools for applying these insights at the personal, team, and organization-wide level.

The problem you can't see is the one you can't solve. This book will change what you see—and everything that follows.

Leave the power tie at home. The old rules of influence don't work anymore.

It's time to throw out the old rules of influence and become the leader you've always wanted to be.

A new type of leader is emerging-one with a bold mission who empowers others through transparency and unwavering passion. Modern-day executive presence mandates levels of authenticity and honesty never before seen in the C-suite.

Personal branding and reputation management expert, Lida Citroën guides leaders through this new paradigm of executive presence and influence. Through inspiring examples, compelling stories, and practical exercises, Citroën helps leaders tap into their passion, connect authentically with others, and create space for inclusivity and community.

Greta Thunberg is a powerful example of a new paradigm leader. The Swedish teenager ‘s influence arguably exceeds that of most CEOs or political leaders. The youngest person to be named Time's Person of the Year, she radically upended Swedish politics and world climate policy. Nothing about her conforms to the typical expectations of a leader's executive presence-her power comes from her absolute honesty and genuine passion to make the world a better place.

Burnout rising. Systems cracking. Talent leaving.

The solution: design for human dignity and full-person diversity—with this award-winning guide.

The Canary Code reorganizes work for thriving—starting with those first impacted by faulty systems, like canaries first sensing toxic air in coal mines. Neurodivergent talent (members of ADHD, autism, Tourette’s syndrome, and learning-differences communities, and others who think and experience life differently) offer unique skills and exceptional work ethics, yet face employment barriers. Their unique abilities and perspectives are excluded, and their canary warnings about bullying, broken workflows, or ethical drift are ignored.

This practical guide helps CEOs, managers, HR leaders, and changemakers improve work for all. Drawing on science and lived experience, 2025 Thinkers50 Talent Award winner and internationally renowned management expert Ludmila Praslova shows how embracing neurodiversity creates healthier, more innovative systems. A neurodivergent organizational psychologist with over twenty-five years of global practice and research on inclusive organizations, she offers the following:

• A holistic framework of human differences (social, cognitive, emotional, physical)
• An intersectional, whole-person approach to neuroinclusion
• Dignity-based talent practices, from hiring to leadership development
• Global perspectives celebrating diverse neurodivergent voices
• Actionable strategies for change at any organizational level

Blending lived experience, academic rigor, and accessible writing, this groundbreaking work exemplifies neuroinclusion. It clearly indicates academic, applied, and personal content, supporting an individualized reader experience.

“I have used his definitions of trust and distrust in every book I’ve written.”
—Brené Brown, bestselling author of Dare to Lead

Nearly 100,000 copies sold. A modern classic on building trust—now updated for today’s workplace.

Trust isn’t a feeling. It’s a skill.

In this fully updated third edition of The Thin Book of Trust, bestselling author Charles Feltman delivers a clear, practical framework for building, restoring, and sustaining trust in organizations—especially in a post-pandemic world where connection, accountability, and reliability matter more than ever.

Short, powerful, and immediately actionable, this book breaks trust down into learnable competencies. You’ll discover

• the four distinct elements that create (or erode) trust;
• how to identify and repair broken trust quickly;
• practical language for high-stakes conversations; and
• tools to strengthen trust across teams, remote workplaces, and leadership levels.

Whether you’re a leader, coach, consultant, HR professional, or individual contributor, your ability to build trust directly impacts performance, culture, retention, and results.

This expanded third edition includes a new study guide and downloadable resources to help individuals and teams apply the framework in real time.

If you want stronger teams, clearer communication, and a culture where people actually deliver on their commitments, this is your playbook.

Become the kind of leader—and colleague—others trust without hesitation.

This new edition of the bestselling employee development classic includes advice on engagement and retention in today's more flexible employment environment, a new chapter on remote and hybrid work, and a deeper discussion of career development in your organization.

Study after study confirms that career development is the single most powerful tool managers have for driving retention, engagement, productivity, and results. But most managers feel they just don't have time for it. This book offers a better way: frequent, short conversations with employees about themselves, their goals, and the business that can be integrated seamlessly into the normal course of business.

Beverly Kaye and Julie Winkle Giulioni identify three broad types of conversations that will increase employees' awareness of their strengths, weaknesses, and interests; and point out where their organization and their industry are headed. The authors provide new assessments, worksheets, and a discussion guide to help employees and managers pull all of that together to create forward momentum. The accompanying AI Bookbot enhances this experience by offering real-time guidance, conversation prompts, and personalized insights based on the book's proven methodologies.

A self-compassion blueprint for leaders who are closed-off, constantly on the verge of burnout, and/or trapped in the myth of perfectionism.

Through this 6-step framework, leaders will learn that self-compassion is for the strong, to separate their title from their person, and how to care for themselves in order to care for others.

So many leadership and compassion books seek to remind leaders to “behave human” and treat those around them with care. But the truth is that leaders are human. They're not playing at being human or calling forth their humanity on demand. Their struggle in marrying leadership and compassion stems from leaders ignoring self-care-the lack of compassion toward their subordinates is just a symptom.

Human First, Leader Second introduces leaders to the practice of self-compassion through a 6-step framework designed to ease even the most hard-headed and hard-assed leaders into thoughtful, and productive, introspection.

• Backward: Biography, Biology, Backstory
• Forward: Purpose, Values, Priorities
• Inward: Intentions, Feelings, Thoughts
• Outward: Intent, Actions, Behaviors
• Leeward: Self-care and Personal Accountability
• Wayward: Regret and Self-forgiveness

Offering strategies for a personalized exploration of self-compassion-and what works best for the individual-this book will help leaders grow awareness to the importance of self-care while debunking the myth that compassion equals weakness. Regardless of our title or influence, we are all humans first, who need compassion.

Start building bridges instead of barriers! This essential guide offers a simple 5-part framework that will help you have honest and enlightening conversations despite deep and fundamental disagreements.

Divisions are on the rise around the world, and 2024 may well be a peak year. We're losing the ability to disagree without dehumanizing. There is a deep need for this practical and accessible guide to having challenging conversations in any situation, from the workplace to the classroom to the dinner table.

It's not about saying the right words at the right time but something vastly deeper. In this book, you'll discover the 5 pillars of respectfully disagreeing:

• Challenge your perspective
• Be the student
• Cultivate your curiosity
• Seek the gray
• Agree to respect

But this is not a weighty tome. Each chapter features a cartoon, and Justin Jones-Fosu tackles this serious subject with a playful and compassionate tone. For example, he writes I have become more and more intentional in my desire to respectfully disagree with others (except those who think putting ketchup on eggs is wrong...there is no hope for respect there).

With a wide range of examples and exercises throughout, this is a timely and reader-friendly handbook to disagreeing with someone's ideology while passionately pursuing their humanity.

“Providing guidance throughout, Dabbs prompts the reader with questions. She believes a better understanding of past experiences and how society has established systemic barriers to entry can help people design their future.”-The Financial Times

In a world overcrowded with labels, don't allow your identity to be defined by other people. Learn how to take back your power, choose to feed the aspects of your identity that serve you, and let go of those that don't.

Everyone feels like an outsider at some point in their life-when we walk into a room and think to ourselves, “I don't belong here.” To avoid these feelings of exclusion, many of us hide our authentic selves and allow others to define our identity.

You Belong Here offers a new framework that allows each of us to define how we want to be seen, heard, and valued on our own terms so we feel a sense of belonging in any situation. Further, it serves as a launchpad for organizational leaders and culture builders to create safe spaces for individuals to show up as their authentic selves.

Readers will explore our four identities:
• Our Lived Identity is made up of the aspects of our identity we inherit when we are born into the world.
• Our Learned Identity includes the parts of our identity that we've chosen or claimed as we make our way through the world.
• Our Lingering Identity is the identity we default to when we feel like an outsider and fall back into as a survival mechanism.
• Our Loved Identity is where we find our authentic selves and see ourselves through a lens of empowerment.

In the journey to understand our past experiences and how society has established barriers to entry, we can design our own future, rooted in our Loved Identity. We learn to rewrite the stories that aren't serving us and embrace the ones that do. Rather than look for a seat at someone else's table, we find the tools to build our own.

When we fully leverage this and live with authenticity and purpose, we can be seen, heard, and valued in a way that gives us a sense of belonging at home, at work, and in society. Belonging is realized when we understand everyone is an outsider and it's the power to create space for those differences that unite us all.

The definitive introduction for changemakers new to the world of nonprofit and small business boards of directors.

Bust the status quo of board room administrative tedium and passive participation to contribute to meaningful social transformation and impact in your organization. Authors Jukanovich and West offer changemakers new to the boardroom the mindset and strategies necessary to make a difference in the organizations they lead.

Mission-based, socially responsible, and transformational organizations are needed more today than ever. And the boards that lead them must be in tune with their stakeholder's culture. But so often they are held back by ineffective decision making and a lack of interpersonal trust.

This book breaks down the key elements of a successful boardroom and how to achieve them. From onboarding diverse talent to establishing trust through accountability, you will have the tools and actionable techniques needed to effectively make a difference in the world with healthier boardroom practices.

Discover the science-based secrets to reducing workplace stress, building unwavering resilience, and achieving success through the power of conversation.

Technology, isolation, and increasing demands for productivity are making the workplace a hotbed for stress-it's no surprise employees are abandoning traumatic workplaces in unprecedented numbers.

Ed Beltran,the CEO of a powerhouse leadership communication company, believes the antidote to stressed-out workplaces starts with conversation.

Beltran has developed a science-based model to reduce stress and help people build what he calls fierce resilience. By leveraging the power of conversations, individuals discover:
• their unique stressors
• master skills to neutralize stressors
• build unwavering resilience that elevates their emotional well-being.

This is no ordinary self-help book. The transformative process of fierce resilience goes well beyond developing mere coping skills. It helps people take control of their emotional health, become more resilient, and build organizations with resilience as a core part of their DNA.

Recognized as a Foreword Indies Gold Award winner, a Pencraft Winter 2025 Award winner, and a Global Ebook Awards Silver winner.

A practical guide to tackling unconscious bias in a polarized world.

Learn to recognize your unconscious bias and create positive change.

Respected DEI expert Sara Taylor presents a down-to-earth guide on how to tackle unconscious biases and foster true equity in our rapidly changing world. Through relatable examples and practical strategies, readers learn to deliberately slow down their thought processes and become aware of their filters in various situations. Taylor encourages readers to question their own assumptions by asking, "Do I know that what I'm thinking is actually true?" and "Why might I be reacting this way?"

The book demonstrates the importance of a clear set of competencies, skills, and strategies for addressing unconscious bias. By developing a culturally competent mindset and using a shared, holistic language to discuss these issues, readers gain the tools to understand, discuss, and implement change both at home and in the workplace. This approach avoids blame or shame, making it accessible and empowering for everyone.

The book's insights extend beyond individuals; it demonstrates how organizations can scale up cultural competence to transform their structures and systems. With a strong sense of hope, readers are empowered to make a difference, creating a more just and equitable world for all.

Ranked #7 on Forbes.com's Top 10 Customer Experience Books of 2024

True inclusion happens when leaders stop relying on HR practitioners to own full responsibility for DEI initiatives. The small, intentional daily leadership practices in this book are the key to creating truly inclusive organizations.

Diversity and inclusion training and books have flooded the market, but the gap between what is promised and what is delivered is beginning to undermine the progress that has been made.

There are millions of people who strive to make a difference in workplace diversity and inclusion. And with this practical, leader-friendly framework, Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders will equip readers with the actionable tools they've been searching for.

Leaders will learn:
● Why they are the key to inclusion
● Insights for the lifelong journey
● Successful practices they can start today
● And more

With the era of big DEI coming to an end, leaders will make big strides through small daily changes in their processes that lead to creating an inclusive workplace culture. With this toolkit of actions, activities, and tactics leaders will become the foundation of diversity and inclusion in their organization.

Carrots and sticks are costing you your best people. Here's the leadership science that actually works.

Most leaders aren't bad at motivating people—they're just using a model that neuroscience has already disproven. Built on decades of research and field-tested with organizations including Microsoft, NASA, CVS, and Mattel, this book replaces outdated reward-and-punishment thinking with a practical, proven process called “optimal motivation.”

What you'll find inside:

• A clear explanation of why external rewards produce short-term compliance but kill long-term engagement
• The three core psychological needs—autonomy, relatedness, and competence—that drive meaningful and sustainable motivation
• A step-by-step framework leaders can apply immediately in real workplace situations
• Real client examples showing how the process works across industries and team sizes
• Practical language and coaching tools to help your people find genuine purpose in their roles

This book is for managers, HR professionals, and organizational leaders who are tired of chasing engagement scores and want a research-backed alternative that actually sticks. It is not a collection of motivational tactics; it is a fundamental shift in how leaders understand human drive.

If motivation on your team feels forced or fragile, this is where the change starts.

Your DEIJ efforts are stagnating because you continue to center whiteness. Creating a truly anti-racist organization requires learning how to identify and rectify the systemic, and often unconscious, centering of white culture and values in the workplace.

Corporate America continues to struggle with racial equity in a post-George Floyd world. As the United States becomes more diverse and the public consciousness continues to shift, successful racial equity efforts in the workplace are needed now more than ever.

Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace exposes the ways that white culture and expectations are centered in the modern American workplace and the fears within corporate spaces about talking candidly, openly, and honestly about whiteness, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness.

Readers will discover:
• A direct and straightforward analysis about what white-centering is
• An evaluation of the different ways that whiteness is centered in the workplace, such as bereavement and holiday policies and dress codes
• A guide on how to recognize and decenter whiteness within oneself and at work
• Solutions for people to contribute individually and systemically to anti-oppression

Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace provides a crucial guidebook with practical solutions for leaders, DEIJ practitioners, and anyone hoping to truly create an anti-racist workplace.

“Those looking to move beyond performative allyship will find this an excellent resource.” -Publishers Weekly

"Well-informed, hard-hitting advice for antiracists.” -Kirkus Reviews

What if there were a set of rules to educate people against race-based social faux pas that damage relationships, perpetuate racist stereotypes, and harm people of color? This book provides just that in an effort to slow the malignant domino effect of race-based ignorance in American communities and workplaces to help address the vestiges of our nation's racist past.

Race Rules is an innovative, practical manual for white people of the unwritten “rules” relating to race, explaining the unvarnished truth about racist and offensive white behaviors. It offers a unique lens from Fatimah Gilliam, a light-skinned Black woman, and is informed by the revealing things white people say when they don't realize she's Black.

Presented as a series of race rules, this book has each chapter tackling a specific topic many people of color wish white people understood. Combining history and explanations with practical advice, it goes beyond the theoretical by focusing on what's implementable.

Gilliam addresses issues such as
• Racial blinders and misperceptions
• White privilege
• Racial stereotypes
• Everyday choices and behaviors that cause racial harm

Introducing a straightforward universal three-step framework to unlearn racism and challenge misconceptions, this book offers readers a chance to change behaviors and shift mindsets to better navigate cross-racial interactions and relationships. Through its race etiquette guidelines, it teaches white people to become action-oriented racism disruptors instead of silent, complicit supporters of white supremacy.