Book Review: The Hybrid Leader
The Hybrid Leader: Blending the Best of the Male and Female Leadership Styles to Transform Corporate America
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The Hybrid Leader: Blending the Best of the Male and Female Leadership Styles is a book about developing leaders who can connect with the 21st century workforce and create a cultural transformation where this workforce can be valued and optimized. Trudy Bourgeois, the author, has found through extensive research, interviews and personal experience that there is a need for a leadership evolution. She refers to this style of leadership as the Hybrid Leader.
The Hybrid Leader combines the best of the male behaviors and values with the best of the female behaviors and values. By combining and optimizing the strengths of the leadership styles of both genders, a new breed of leadership is born. This new, bold leader will serve as the catalyst and beacon to transform corporate America. What makes this different from other leaders? The hybrid leader is knowledgeable, credible and possesses a keen ability to connect with people. This leader believes in collaborative relationships, making decisions that balance people and profits, servant leadership, intimate communications, true empowerment and inclusivity. The hybrid leader isn't afraid to lead with vulnerability. They recognize that they don't have all the answers and they don't have to pretend that they do. Hybrid leaders get the head/heart connection. As a result they are able to foster environments where change is embraced as an opportunity rather than feared as a disruption.
The hybrid leader also believes that working in a knowledge economy places the greatest emphasis on people. People will be the company's greatest asset - they represent the heart and the brain of any organization. Because of this belief the hybrid leader is committed to motivating and inspiring others. Hybrid leaders absolutely reject egos as the driving force for their behavior. They are relentless in harnessing the greatest of others through service as a coach and leadership by example as a mentor.
The book is filled with significant workforce change facts that are compelling. To optimize the diverse workforce of the 21st century, the hybrid leader will focus on restoring the power of the people connection. They will strategically create a culture that enhances productivity and positively impacts the company's bottom line.
This book is a fairly fast read but serves as a valuable resource. The book outlines leadership "best practices" that shape the foundation of the hybrid leader's ability to influence others and achieve breakthrough results. You will gain a different perspective on the role of a leader. You'll be challenged to explore your own behaviors and values. And you'll be guided on the steps needed to become a hybrid leader. The thought-provoking stories and case studies found throughout the book cause you to pause and reflect on your leadership effectiveness.
Trudy also shares personal stories of her own struggles and victories in corporate America. Highly relevant to today's business environment, this book is for all people who want to increase their leadership impact and make a positive change to the culture in which they work.