The Engaged Leader

Bestselling author Charlene Li guides business leaders deeper than ever before into the uncomfortable and ever-changing terrain of the digital era

Technology has revolutionized the very idea and nature of relationships between leaders and their followers. Yet, many leaders remain stuck at arm’s-length from those they lead and serve, relying on specialized teams to interact with customers, their direct reports to keep tabs on how employees are doing, and the digital natives in their organization to stay abreast of new technologies.

Now, in The Engaged Leader: A Strategy for Your Digital Transformation, Li helps leaders adapt to the demands and opportunities of digital leadership. To be a true digital leader requires a metamorphosis: you must connect directly by listening, sharing, and engaging using digital technologies. This metamorphosis is not easy, comfortable, or painless—if your palms aren’t sweaty or your stomach isn’t churning, then you probably aren’t really practicing digital leadership.

The Engaged Leader addresses:

• Why leaders need to master a new way of developing relationships, which begins by stepping out of traditional hierarchies
• How to listen at scale, share to shape, and engage to transform
• The art of making this transformative mind shift
• The science of applying the right tools to meet your strategic goals

This transformation is not optional. Those who choose not to make this change will be abandoned for those who inspire people to follow them.

The Engaged Leader provides leaders with the skills and confidence they need to transform their leadership, and in turn, their organizations. The Engaged Leader also provides guidance to institutions—businesses, communities, and schools—on how to develop and nurture digital leadership. It is a must-read for anyone who values a deeper connection between leaders and those they serve.

Praise for The Engaged Leader

“Finally—a leadership book loaded with great ideas that you can read in one sitting! Charlene Li, one of the most remarkable minds in business today, continues to challenge our definition of what it takes to lead effectively in the digital era.” —Tom Rath, author, Strengths Finder 2.0 and Are You Fully Charged?

“Charlene Li practices what she teaches in The Engaged Leader: She is a master at listening, sharing, and engaging. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to develop connections that enable innovative ideas to emerge.” —Beth Comstock, Chief Marketing Officer, GE

“Charlene Li has done it again. In this smart, practical book, she argues that leaders can no longer hide behind their social media teams or the digital natives in their organization. They’ve got to get up close and personal. Anyone who is ready to take his or her leadership to the next level should read The Engaged Leader and follow Li’s specific, actionable program for using social media to extend one’s influence and knowledge.” —Daniel H. Pink, author, To Sell Is Human and Drive