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1-Page Summary of True North

Overview

It’s hard to believe that great leaders make decisions just like the rest of us. They seem so focused and smart all the time, it seems as if they’re guided by a supernatural hand.

While great leaders are often thought to be different from the rest of us, this book proves that they’re not. They have unique qualities and follow their true north—the compass that represents who they truly are and guides them to become better leaders.

As you can see, when the world seems chaotic and out of control, it’s important to have a sense of purpose. If you know what matters most to you personally, then that will guide your decisions in life. You need to find your own ‘true north’ if you want to become an inspiring leader.

In this article, you’ll learn the life-changing lessons from a fishing trip, as well as how Oprah’s leadership style changed. Furthermore, you’ll understand why self-awareness is important to become an effective leader.

Big Idea #1: Take your inspiration and passion for leadership from your life story.

Each of us has a unique life story, shaped by events and past relationships. However, authentic leaders gain the most from these experiences because they’re able to see things in a new light and find meaning where others don’t.

Authentic leaders are people who are true to themselves and their beliefs. They motivate others to perform at their best, and they put the needs of others before their own.

Understanding the meaning of key events in your life will help you find and focus on what’s important. An example is Howard Schultz, who founded Starbucks after his father lost his job. His mother was pregnant and unable to work so they borrowed money to pay their bills.

Howard Schultz vowed to create a better reality for employees if he was given the chance. He made Starbucks the first company in America to offer health care coverage for part-time workers working as few as 20 hours per week.

Authentic leaders have stories that carry them along their path to be successful. These stories also provide the context for their lives, as well as inspiration to impact other people’s lives. Reatha Clark King is a great example of an authentic leader because she overcame poverty and discrimination in her life through hard work and determination.

King’s goal is to create more opportunities for the poor and help others overcome racial discrimination. She drew inspiration from her own story, which helped her stay true to herself.

Money and success don’t make people forget about those who are less fortunate. Instead, they feel the need to help them.

Big Idea #2: Self-centeredness can make you lose sight of your inner compass.

As you start to get successful and earn rewards, it’s easy to lose your way. There are five archetypal leaders who might do that: Imposters, Rationalizers, Glory Seekers, Loners and Shooting Stars.

There are people who have a lack of self-esteem and awareness, but they’re able to succeed by using their cunning. Once they’ve achieved success, though, they don’t care about the way others perceive them.

Rationalizers are weak managers who don’t stick to their values. They’re always looking for excuses, never taking responsibility for their actions. Rationalizers sacrifice a company’s long-term well being in order to make short term gains.

People who are motivated by fame and glory tend to be loners. They’re focused on achieving their goals rather than building relationships. Shooting stars rise too quickly to learn from their mistakes, which can lead to problems in the future.

A good example of the imposter archetype is Philip Purcell, who was challenged to combine investment banking and brokerage. He built his power base by manipulating the board and pushing out people who questioned him. Many became frustrated with his leadership style, and several talented workers left.