The Unexpected Leader

Expand your leadership skill set by looking for it in unexpected places

Effective leadership isn’t confined to easily identifiable silos. It appears everywhere, and sometimes in the most unexpected of places.

In The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within You, veteran leadership trainer and consultant Jacqueline M. Baker delivers an incisive and actionable discussion of how to refine, define, and elevate leadership by absorbing lessons from other leaders and actualizing the leader within. You’ll learn how to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce with a new approach to leadership development.

In the book, you’ll find:

• Examples of how exemplary leadership can show up anywhere and in anyone
• New strategies for implementing the latest leadership techniques in a demographically and culturally diverse workforce
• Modern lessons on unique and authentic leadership from people unexpectedly thrust into positions where great leadership was essential

An ideal resource for everyday leaders at all levels, executives and managers, The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within You is an essential read for anyone who hopes to expand their concept of leadership beyond the traditional.

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

l What to Expect When You’re Expecting Leadership 1

1 Making the Leadership Decision 3

2 The Nuances of Leadership 15

3 Discovering the Leader Within You 27

4 Creating Your Leadership Legacy 33

5 Leadership Styles 47

II Leadership Elevation 69

6 Finding the Time to Refine 71

7 Your Leadership Blueprint 81

8 Finessing Your Style 95

9 Using Your Voice 105

10 Everyday Ways to Lead 119

11 Finding New Opportunities 131

12 Building Your Tribe 145

III the Pitfalls 153

13 Self- Sabotage 155

14 The Leadership Traps 163

15 Leading versus Following 179

Conclusion: Expect Leadership 187

About the Author 189

Index 191

Jacqueline M. Baker is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Scarlet and operates as a global trainer in the areas of everyday leadership and modern etiquette. As a speaker on the leadership-for-all concept and the author of Leader By Mistake, she hosts training sessions at Fortune 500 companies and community organizations around the world, geared towards continued leadership development.

The best leaders aren’t all found in one particular discipline, functional group, or silo. They’re found across the organizational and cultural spectrums, helping others realize their true potential through both ordinary and heroic acts of inspiration and encouragement. They can even be found in the most unexpected places.

In The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within You, accomplished leadership and modern etiquette trainer and consultant Jacqueline M. Baker delivers an insightful and compelling exploration of how to define, refine, and elevate your leadership potential. You’ll absorb lessons from other real-life leaders and actualize the leader within you by learning to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workplace with a brand-new approach to leadership development.

In the book, you’ll find examples of how stellar leadership can be found anywhere and everywhere—and in anyone—and discover new strategies for implementing the latest leadership techniques in a culturally and demographically diverse workforce. You’ll also explore contemporary lessons on unique and authentic leadership from people unexpectedly thrust into positions of power where great leadership was essential.

A can’t-miss resource for everyday leaders at any level of an organization, including executives, managers, team leaders, and frontline employees, The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within You is an essential companion for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of leadership and expand it beyond the traditional.

PRAISE FOR the unexpected leader

“The Unexpected Leader has been delivered to us at the perfect time! In a world where it’s important for everyone to understand that we all have the capacity to lead where we are, The Unexpected Leader provides practical tools for everyone to lead effectively, no matter their role, position, or status in life.”

—KIMARIE YOWELL, Chief Learning Officer, Rocket Central

“This book offered some insightful as well as practical approaches to living out everyday leadership through a multitude of life lenses. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just reaching the self-actualization stage of your leadership journey, The Unexpected Leader offers key process steps needed to reach an obtainable goal to those who desire to evolve into their full leadership potential. True leaders who simply want to inspire more leaders will find the tools in this book helpful. It’s a compass and roadmap with actionable tips for leadership realization and growth.”

—DR. DONALD R. JAMES, Chief Executive Officer, Solero Technologies

“Amid the world being UNEXPECTEDLY disrupted, shaken, and brought to an alarming halt due to the crippling Coronavirus, Jacqueline’s The Unexpected Leader is the ‘just-in-time’ invitation for which we’ve all been waiting to show up as the ultimate leader. Serving as the perfect dose of encouragement and as a catalyst for redefining what it means to be a leader in today’s everchanging landscape, it calls us to lean more into unexpected opportunities, to embrace leadership relevancy in every facet of our lives and equips us with the right tools and perspective to lead in places we’ve yet to imagine!”

—BRANDON HURST, Chick-fil-A Franchisee; BJH Hospitality Group

“The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within You is worthy of being at the top of your ‘must-read’ list. Jacqueline Baker brings her exceptional polish, creative thought leadership, and dynamic experience to the forefront to provide guidance in your leadership journey. Elevate your role, your impact, and leadership skills to engage in meaningful personal growth through this exceptional book. This is a game-changer for all of us who are striving to be lifetime leaders, no matter what career path we choose.”

—NANCY MASTROIANNI, Head of Growth, HLTH