The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain

An innovative and insightful 7-part guide to heartfelt and collaborative actions that transform the reader into a generous leader.

Leading successfully in a world full of disruption means building more than technical skills. Yes, you must deliver results, but to run a successful business you need people--and people today want leaders who can and will work to see beyond themselves and only the bottom line--you must learn to lead with your heart. Being vulnerable with your staff is intimidating, but when connecting with people not only will you grow as a leader and a person, but your business will grow as well.

Bringing your authentic self to your leadership takes courage and commitment, but you reap profound benefits from heart-led generous acts. This book presents 7 ways to give of yourself for everyone’s gain:

1. Generous Communication: Be real to build deep connections
2. Generous Listening: Be sincerely curious about another’s perspective
3. Generous Inclusion: Be inclusive to invite collaboration and show respect
4. The Generous Ally: Take chances to make chances for others
5. Generous Development: Validate strengths and success, identify expansive opportunities
6. Generous Moments: Make small acts of acknowledgment in important moments to make a big impact
7. Give up the Mask: Be emotionally accessible with authenticity and vulnerability

Through unvarnished and unforgettable stories, the author and CEOs of well-recognized companies reveal experiences and mistakes that informed their success and share actions that make the shift to more heart less scary, more satisfying and incredible personal.

As you build your skills with the guidance from this trusted reference, success will spread from your generosity to the people you work with, to your organization, to your own career and even society.

There is no more powerful leader than a generous leader.

Joe Davis is Chair of BCG Center for Inclusion and Equity. He is a former regional chair for Boston Consulting Group in North America and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He oversaw BCG’s operations in the US, Canada, and Mexico and was recognized as one of Consulting magazine’s Top 25 Consultants in 2011 for his work in the public sector. Joe played a crucial role in advancing BCG’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion agenda. He joined BCG in 1988 and worked in various locations, including Melbourne and Washington, DC. He launched BCG’s Public Sector practice in the US, supporting the US Postal Service and the SEC during the banking crisis.