Lead Well

About the Author

Ken Falke, the author of Lead Well: 10 Steps to Successful and Sustainable Leadership, brings a wealth of experience from his time in the US Navy and his career as an entrepreneur. With twenty-one years as a bomb disposal specialist, Falke has led numerous high-risk missions, demonstrating courage and leadership under pressure. After retiring from the Navy, he founded two companies—A-T Solutions, a counter-terrorism firm, and Shoulder 2 Shoulder, a training company. Additionally, Falke is the founder of the EOD Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting families of severely wounded military bomb disposal personnel. His experiences in diverse leadership roles provide a rich foundation for the insights shared in this book.

Main Idea

Lead Well offers a practical and straightforward approach to leadership, centered around ten key principles. Ken Falke emphasizes that effective leadership begins with self-awareness and self-mastery, and extends to inspiring and guiding others. The book provides actionable strategies for leaders to communicate their vision, set and achieve aligned goals, foster a culture of kindness and accountability, and lead with courage. Falke's philosophy is grounded in real-world experience and is designed to help leaders at all levels cultivate sustainable and impactful leadership practices.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Lead Yourself First
• Create and Clearly Communicate Your Vision
• Set and Achieve Goals that Align with Your Vision
• Listen Well
• Lead with Kindness
• Hire Quality People
• Create a Culture of Loyalty and Satisfaction
• Hold Yourself and Others Accountable
• Lead with Courage
• Give Back
• Conclusion

Lead Yourself First

Ken Falke begins by asserting that the foundation of effective leadership is self-leadership. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-mastery, stating that leaders must first be well themselves before they can lead others effectively. Falke recounts his experiences with leaders who, due to a lack of self-awareness, inflicted their own unwellness on those they led, resulting in toxic environments and poor organizational outcomes. He believes that leaders should model the behavior they expect from others and maintain a strong ethical compass.

Falke states, "To lead others well, you have to be well." He argues that this self-mastery involves recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses, being willing to learn and grow, and holding oneself accountable for one's actions. By leading by example and demonstrating integrity, leaders can inspire trust and respect from their teams. This foundation of personal wellness and ethical behavior sets the stage for effective and sustainable leadership.

Create and Clearly Communicate Your Vision

According to Falke, a leader's vision is a critical component of successful leadership. He stresses the importance of creating a clear and compelling vision that inspires and guides the team. "People want and need to feel fulfilled in their work," Falke explains, emphasizing that a well-communicated vision helps align the team's efforts towards a common goal. He advises leaders to articulate their vision clearly and consistently, using simple language that everyone can understand. This communication should be ongoing, ensuring that the vision remains fresh and relevant in the minds of team members.