The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact

This robust program from leadership coaches Hull (Flex) and Moore (Organize Your Emotions, Optimize Your Life) synthesizes the findings of hundreds of academic studies on what it takes to be a good manager. Outlining nine “capacities” that every leader should master, the authors highlight the importance of compassion by citing research that found employees with empathetic managers experienced less burnout and felt more committed to their organization. Leaders must also build rapport with workers, the authors contend, noting a meta-analysis that found employees who believed their supervisor cared for their well-being were more productive. Illuminating client stories flesh out the nine capacities. For instance, the authors emphasize the importance of flexibility by recounting how the director of an environmental nonprofit adjusted to working virtually by providing more instruction to employees whom he might have only gently nudged during a casual check-in at the office. The bevy of research lends the advice authority, but a few of the competencies are overly diffuse (e.g., the capacity for “transformation” is defined as modeling courage, facilitating innovation, and fostering motivation) and guidance on implementing the suggestions can be unhelpfully broad, as when the authors recommend embracing authenticity by “aligning your personal values with your actions.” Still, managers will appreciate the well-researched overview of leadership’s essential components. (July)