Book review: "Leaders Eat Last"

Supervisors, aspiring leaders, employees, MUST read this book. Simon Sinek, a well-known Ted Talk speaker and author, published this book roughly five years ago. To me, Simon is an expert in all areas of leadership. His book is relevant for today's challenges, especially those faced in the new norms experienced in remote and hybrid work life. He had no idea that the world would change so drastically after it was published but the wisdom of his advice does not change. Some work-place challenges and frictions are inevitable no matter what. I am not a supervisor, but a regular average Joe millennial employee, and I found the book helpful. Simon even specifically addresses some issues that boomers face in supervising this age-group, and the issues that millennials feel when supervised by them. Both generations share common struggles but speak different languages.

My takeaway from the book, without revealing any spoilers, is that those at the top, the CEO's, bosses, head honchos, etc., cannot rule with an iron thumb and expect great results. That is a thing from the past. Empathy is the real iron thumb of leadership. I guess empathy seems weak to people. Apparently, our thinking has not evolved. And that's where the friction between millennials and boomers start to show. Boomers are old school and do not generally care what their millennial employee feels. Feelings do not bring results, they feel. Boomer boss wants profits and dollar signs. Whereas the millennial is more accepting of empathy and does not appreciate bosses that lack people skills. We all want to make profits but who really wants to invest their time building money for a vision-less company? Especially if the little guy gets nothing to show for it. Most millennials want more. As the future leaders, it is exciting that millennials have an eye for more.

While millennials (like myself) share issues like social media addictions, impulse control, helicopter parents, and impatience (see book), these diseases can be tempered. It starts with admitting and acknowledging the issue. No leader, or employee, can work efficiently or successfully while plagued with background noise. Boomers must understand, or at least acknowledge, that millennials face these issues collectively, with the occasional outlier. Empathize and try to understand it. Embrace new technology. I work with some boomers that can hardly make a PowerPoint. Not hating just truth! Fear of technology is a roadblock to change. Millennials will be embracing tech as future leaders regardless so it is not going away.

I wish more boomer leaders tempered their harshness more. So many of them seem comfortable slaving away at work all day, hardly talking to a soul or building any connections at work, and then endlessly pressing repeat. On they go in this cycle. It is depressing and not empowering to any of the younger generations. A strong work ethic is a must but not an obsession with making money and working long hours. It feels archaic, especially when so many people have successful side hustles. Boomer politicians, and those older, cannot agree on anything. Hopefully, millennials can usher in a new period of successful negotiations and friendships with, shudder, someone from another party! Friendship should not be viewed as weakness either. Horrible example to convey to anyone.

Simon also discusses how ineffective leadership causes a whole host of biologically negative results. Most of us are walking around offices or companies filled with cortisol dripping colleagues. We are competing with everyone including ourselves. It is unhealthy and unproductive. That energy should be garnered towards building a solid team. I find that I cannot work well surrounded by negative colleagues or ineffective supervisors. Personal issues are understandable but cannot permeate the work environment. It is time to do better!

I feel empowered as a future leader. At the very least, I have a desire to enact change and a hope to implement daily, second-by-second empathy, towards those around me. It can't hurt, right? It is not my issue if those around me view empathy as failure. They are already losing.