How Should You Write Your Style Of Leadership?

Leadership in progress

If you want to write a book about leadership, you have to in fact lead.

This does not mean adopting the aesthetics of leadership and passing it off as your own ingenuity. 

It is fantastic to be inspired by others' leadership but if you want to write a book that too closely replicates their methods you are not embodying leadership. You are actually a follower. This is ok. Sometimes we need to follow in order to learn new skills but let's call a spade a spade. 

A good ghostwriter/writer for hire will point this out to you and save you from falling on your face. A mediocre ghostwriter will take your money and write a well crafted but mediocre book knowing full well that it does not fill a gap in the current market and will most likely not be picked up by publishers. 

When you choose a writer to work with you are also taking on the role of leadership in your own narrative choices. A good writer will provide the language and the structure to give shape to your foray into unknown emotional territory. Be warned however that if you fail to wade into the current zeitgeist with transparent, on your feet problem solving that is bereft of real time manoeuvrability the reader will pick up on this instantly. 

For any writer to capture your style of leadership well you need to live it first. Otherwise, all you need is a writer willing to lie for you. This is a tragic waste of time for everyone involved and a devastating insult to yourself.

Writer's are not here to flatter you. We are here to commit whatever you show us to the page. A respectful, observant writer will want to cut and polish the gemstone you already possess instead of convincing you to throw it away and buy a new one. It comes down to the problem are you solving and what your life looks like on the path to fixing or perfecting your skill set in the world. Are you willing to step into leadership and show people what figuring stuff out looks like in a way that inspires rather than boasts?

If you are too self referencing, too effusive in your particular talents without allowing readers to see behind the curtain you will reek of the duplicitous wizard of the emerald city. 

I see the good in every potential client. I am committed to handpicking and holding up to the light aspects of themselves that I feel deserve to be seen and appreciated. This means you need to appreciate yourself first. You need to grapple with the nuances of striving for excellence while tolerating that learning emotional self awareness is not a linear process. If you are lacking in self awareness I will tell you. That might not feel great at the time but it is coming from a good place of wanting to see you strive for better. Receiving editorial feedback is a skill you also need to learn to apply.

Hire a writer that tells you the truth. The writer that pulls you in on flattery is not necessarily a safe harbour for the peaceful transfer of your brand/legacy to the page. 

Write a book that can stand the test of time and your own reputation will follow.