Lead Like You Mean It - by Laysha Ward Hardcover

A Leader’s Journey Worth Taking! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow! What an inspiring masterclass in authentic leadership! I had no idea about Laysha Ward’s incredible journey at Target—from entry-level to the C-Suite—and how she unlocked her potential along the way. She opens up with such candor, sharing the real-deal struggles and triumphs that shaped her path to the top. This book is packed with wisdom on what it truly means to lead with heart and purpose. Laysha doesn’t sugarcoat it: the road to leadership requires sacrifice, self-work, and standing firmly in your power. Moments that made me stop mid-run to absorb: ∙ The powerful incident with Bob that is a great reflection moment ∙ The pivotal dinner conversation with her mentor Mike (career reflection gold!) ∙ The brilliant “kitchen cabinet” analogy for building your support team ∙ The lunch counter lesson that hit different 🎯 ∙ The hair strategy discussion—absolutely mind-blowing! As someone who never thought about hair as part of professional navigation, this opened my eyes to the complex calculations our Black sisters make daily. And, totally something new I learned is the play on the word WAIT- Why am I Talking? This isn’t just a leadership book—it’s a revelation about the learned skills of great leadership. I’ll definitely be listening again because Laysha’s story makes you reflect deeply on your own career journey while feeling genuinely inspired about the possibilities ahead. Must-read for: Anyone who wants to lead (or lead better!) with authenticity and purpose. 📚✨​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I absolutely love the way she shared her story throughout the book. I’m on Chapter 4 and it keeps getting better. A must read!