And it doesn’t just suck for those being managed. Leaders also often find themselves looking in the mirror and thinking, “Who the hell is that?” The “horrible boss” they see staring back at them doesn’t resonate with their true self. Behind the public face and polished persona, there’s a deeply rooted fear. A fear of rejection, a fear of not getting respect, a fear of doing something wrong—or, worse, a fear of failing.

This fear is a cocktail of past experiences, bad power dynamics, and cues taken from the wrong role models. Many leaders today have been under the thumb of overpowering superiors in the past. When they finally get a taste of “power,” instead of being the change they would love to have seen when they were younger, they perpetuate the cycle and wield their newfound authority like a sledgehammer.

This is not the behavior of evolved, responsible adults. These are the actions of individuals enslaved by their past, by their misperceptions, and by their insecurities. Blindly wearing the mask of what they think real leaders should look like: egotistical, unapproachable, and sometimes downright arrogant.

But YOU don’t have to lead this way.

Right now, there is a desperate need for corporate leaders to break this mold. To strip away the mask and be approachable, empathetic, open, kind, and coachable. But many corporate leaders today don’t know how to get there.

I’ve seen some of the good, and a lot of the bad and the ugly, of corporate leadership. I’ve seen too many leaders trapped in preconceived notions of what leadership should look like.

My leadership approach is rooted in authenticity, humanity, and servant leadership. I’ve poured my heart into developing every team member I’ve worked with. When describing my leadership style, most of my direct reports have used phrases like “breath of fresh air,” “empowering,” “authentic,” and “opened my eyes to my own potential.” If there’s one facet of leadership that I hold dearest, it’s nurturing talent. Seeing individuals flourish, evolve, and truly come into their own is the most gratifying experience. The legacy I hope to leave behind is a line of leaders who echo the same values and pay it forward. This is the type of evolved leadership that always leads to excellent performance and results. And this is the type of leader I will teach you how to become in this book.

Shockingly, genuine investment in talent remains, in my opinion, a rarity in the corporate world. I aim to change that depressing reality. I have seen the damage the plague of “horrible bosses” inflicts. I want to put an end to it.

Of course, there are good leaders out there. But they are few and far between, and the majority of corporate leaders are miserably failing those in their charge. The ripple effects of a single misguided leader can impact so many lives, dreams, and aspirations, leaving employees demoralized, drowning in criticism, and unable to reach their full potential. Despite an overwhelming supply of tools, courses, and resources designed to mold the ideal leader, we seem to be stuck using outdated leadership tactics that disenfranchise, demotivate, and dehumanize our teams.

My journey through the corporate maze has been far from smooth. More often than not, I found myself confronted with leadership that lacked vision, empathy, and integrity. Each encounter left a mark. The bumps and bruises from these run- ins became constant reminders of the uphill battle many face in the corporate world, making me even more determined to do better myself and teach others to do the same.

I wrote this book to offer guidance to corporate leaders or aspiring leaders who don’t know how to break the norms of the leaders before them. It is filled to the brim with strategies I used to make a difference in the lives of those I led. Throughout my career, I’m proud to say I know of no one who has worked with me who wouldn’t do so again.

If you want to say that about your leadership career, and more importantly, your legacy, keep reading.