BOOK REVIEW: The Leadership Compass

It is incredible that in 2024, we still do not have gender equity, whether in pay or in seats ‘at the top table’. There are plenty of mentoring programmes and business books out there to support women into leadership positions, we still see far fewer women at Chief Executive or Director level. There is clearly something not quite working here.

There are three areas that any leader needs to excel in when being a leader: Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence and Business Intelligence. The challenge for women in particular is that most mentoring and leadership development that they receive on their leadership journey focuses on the social and emotional intelligence aspects, but very rarely are they provided with the business specific competencies needed to succeed. We are expected to pick these up by osmosis or through trial and error, rather than having someone to support and guide us to be deliberate in our approach.

Michelle Redfern is an experienced senior manager and leader who is seeking to address the knowledge and skills gap that forms part of the barrier to women taking the top seats. Within the Leadership Compass, she has outlined the three different “Intelligence” areas, along with deliberate and practical tips to upskill and grow your abilities.

The Leadership Compass is a mentor and coach in your pocket. Written in a really engaging style, and with plenty of anecdotes, this is a clear guide to help anyone reach their full leadership potential. This is a book I wish I’d had a couple of decades ago, when I was starting my career, and looking up at the corporate ladder. Packed with tools, guides and links to a plethora of additional resources on Michelle’s website, this is not a book to be read in a couple of sittings and then put down. It needs to be coated in scribbles and post-it notes and shared with all the women in your life.

This is a must read book – both for women leaders, those who aspire to be leaders, and for men who lead, mentor and support women.

Review by Jo Toon FCIPS


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