Winner · Business Book Award 2022, Leadership

You Lead

How Being Yourself Makes You a Better Leader

Your biggest asset in leadership is you. A practical guide for leaders who want to thrive tomorrow by bringing their whole self to work.

★★★★☆ 4.2 / 5 from 105 ratings on Amazon and Goodreads (updated Oct 2026) · Kogan Page, 2021 · Paperback, ebook, audiobook

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Why read it

A new kind of leadership, one that rings true

How can you expect people to trust and believe in you if you aren't truthful and don't embrace your whole self at work? After a decade of digital transformation and a pandemic, businesses are being disrupted more than ever. People inside and outside the company crave authenticity.

You Lead argues that leaders deliver superior results, communities of engagement and true values-driven success when they are themselves and come across as genuine. With practical advice, real-life stories and a simple framework, it's a call to stop pretending to be who you are not, play on your uniqueness and strengths, and build a culture of authenticity and purpose.

Three key takeaways

What you'll learn

Be yourself and lead by exampleMerge the professional and the personal, so people can be themselves too.
Stand for somethingGive your people the space to find true purpose at work.
Let community flourishUse the right governance model and radiate your purpose through employees and customers for long-term performance.

What readers say

Praise for You Lead

“A must read if you want to learn the shortest way to the top and leadership: it's inside yourself!”
Maurice Lévy, Chairman of Publicis Groupe

“A thoughtful, honest and well-researched reminder of how important it is to be yourself in business.”
Anne Boden, founder and CEO, Starling Bank

“A refreshingly original and necessary book on leadership.”
Suki Thompson, Founder/CEO at Let's Reset, Chair Xeim/Oystercatchers

More praise (7 more)

“Minter is a leader's leader.”
Brian Solis, digital anthropologist, futurist, 8x best-selling author

“A great read, a real guide for evolving your leadership skills and style using proven strategies while incorporating the new realities of today's rapidly changing business environment.”
Pat Parenty, President of L'Oréal PPD USA, retired

“Never has there been a time in business history when your personal brand and your reputation as a leader is more critical… You Lead is a guide and a mantra to how to build your personal plan and lead a life that is not only right for you, but also for those you seek to serve and influence.”
Penny Power OBE, author of Business is Personal

“The prose is refreshing, straightforward, and helpful for leaders who want to use their intelligence, experience and energy to team and business building by bringing their ‘true self’ to work. Necessary now, more than ever.”
Maxine Martens, CEO, Martens & Heads Executive Consultancy

“… An enjoyable and entertaining read, very well researched, and full of practical advice for all current as well as future leaders.”
Phillip Ullmann, Chief Energiser, The Cordant Group

“… This book serves as a timely and powerful prompt for leaders as to how to thrive in these times of technological and social change.”
Lisa Anson, CEO, Redx Pharma Plc, former President AstraZeneca UK

“Be yourself: probably the best advice you can get to become a great leader. …”
Damien Lafaurie, President and CEO, EPI Luxury Wine and Champagne

Read all reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.

Get your copy

Buy You Lead

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Audiobook (narrated by Gary Bennett, produced by OrangeSky Audio):

Audible (UK)· Audible (US)· Libro.fm· Chirp· Google Play· Apple Books· Scribd· Kobo· Booktopia· Bookmate

More stores

Blackwell's · Books-A-Million · Dymocks (Australia) · Google Books · Wordery

🇫🇷 In French: La Boussole du leader (Éditions Diateino, May 2023)

For readers

Extra resources

Already read the book? The You Lead extra resources page has the additional material for readers.

FAQ

Is there an audiobook?

Yes. It came out in April 2021, narrated by Gary Bennett and produced by OrangeSky Audio, and is on Audible and most audiobook services.

Is it available in French?

Yes: La Boussole du leader, Éditions Diateino, published 4 May 2023.

About the author

Minter Dial

Professional speaker on leadership, transformation and branding, author of award-winning books, and producer of the WWII book and documentary film The Last Ring Home. My mission is to insert more meaningfulness into our lives and at work.

Book Minter to speak