Waking Up a Leader

About the Author

Dr. Daphne Scott, a renowned expert in leadership and mindfulness, is the founder of DS Leadership Life and serves as the chief culture officer for Confluent Health. She holds a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology and is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. Her unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight enables her to guide leaders toward a more mindful and effective way of leading. Dr. Scott's background in improv comedy adds a refreshing and engaging element to her approach, making her a sought-after speaker and consultant in the realm of corporate culture and leadership development.

Main Idea

"Waking Up a Leader" by Daphne Scott explores the intricate web of relationships that define successful leadership. These relationships—time, money, the self, friendships, and the unknown—are crucial for leaders to manage effectively. Dr. Scott's book provides a holistic approach, combining both transactional skills, which are essential for day-to-day management, and transformational skills, which help leaders understand their deeper motivations and cultivate environments where their teams can thrive. The main idea is that by transforming how we interact with these fundamental elements, leaders can reduce stress, enhance well-being, and make better decisions for themselves and their teams.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: The Journey to Leadership Awakening
• Chapter 1: The Relationship with Time
• Chapter 2: The Relationship with Money
• Chapter 3: The Relationship with the Self
• Chapter 4: The Relationship with Friendships
• Chapter 5: The Relationship with the Unknown
• Conclusion: Integrating the Five Relationships

The Relationship with Time

Time is often perceived as a scarce resource, something we never seem to have enough of. Dr. Scott challenges this notion, urging leaders to rethink their relationship with time. She posits that our experience of time is largely influenced by our internal state. When we manage our energy and adopt practices of rest and renewal, our perception of time can dramatically change. For instance, two individuals waiting at an airport gate might have vastly different experiences of the same ten minutes based on their mindset—one anxious to board and the other grateful for a moment of stillness.