Be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For

About the Author

William Gentry, Ph.D. is an accomplished author, researcher, and leadership expert. Currently serving as the Director of Leadership Insights and Analytics and a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Gentry's work has been widely recognized and featured in over 50 internet and news outlets. He has presented more than 70 academic papers and published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. His extensive experience in leadership development informs his practical and evidence-based approach to guiding new leaders.

Main Idea

In Be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For: A Guide for New Leaders, William Gentry presents a comprehensive manual for those stepping into leadership roles for the first time. The central theme of the book is to "flip your script" from focusing on "me" as an individual contributor to "we" as a leader. Gentry outlines six key areas where new leaders need to make this shift: mindset, skill set, relationships, attitude, perspective, and focus. By providing actionable advice, real-world examples, and research-based insights, Gentry equips new leaders with the tools necessary to succeed and be the kind of boss everyone wants to work for.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Flip Your Mindset
3. Flip Your Skill Set
4. Flip Your Relationships
5. Flip Your Do-It-All Attitude
6. Flip Your Perspective
7. Flip Your Focus
8. Stick with Your Flipped Script

Introduction

The journey from an individual contributor to a leader is one of the most significant transitions in a professional career. According to Gentry, many new leaders struggle with this shift because they continue to rely on the skills and mindset that made them successful as individual contributors. This book aims to guide new leaders through the necessary transformation by adopting a "we" mentality, focusing on the success of their team rather than just themselves. This shift is critical as it redefines what it means to be successful in a leadership role. Gentry emphasizes that the role of a leader is not merely to complete tasks but to elevate and empower their team members.

Flip Your Mindset

Gentry emphasizes the importance of adopting a growth mindset, as defined by Carol Dweck. A fixed mindset focuses on innate abilities and fears failure, while a growth mindset sees abilities as developable through effort and learning.

“Those who flip their mindset understand that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow, not a reflection of their inherent abilities.” — William Gentry

To flip your mindset, engage in positive self-talk or "mindchatter" to build confidence and resilience. Recognize that the language you use internally has a profound impact on your mindset and behavior. Instead of viewing challenges as insurmountable obstacles, see them as opportunities to develop new skills and gain valuable experience. Use pronouns like "you," "we," and "us" to foster a collective mindset, shifting the focus from individual success to team success. This approach not only enhances personal growth but also strengthens team cohesion and morale.

flipping your mindset include: