The Leadership We Need

A New Mindset for a Brighter Future

De: Maria Brinck

Narrado por: Laurel Lefkow

'A compelling case for a new, more holistic form of leadership.' Andrew Winston, Thinkers50

The leaders of today cannot be the leaders of tomorrow.

The Leadership We Need offers a bold, urgent blueprint for a new era of leadership - one that's tough enough to protect our future, and wise enough to lead with purpose, not ego. Drawing from over a decade of leadership experience and cutting-edge research, Maria Brinck calls out the dominant, masculine monopoly on leadership that has shaped society for millennia - and how it's failing us in today's poly-crisis reality.

Brinck argues that the hard way is, in fact, the right way: where we collaborate instead of compete, engage people instead of control them, and live alongside nature rather than dominate it.

We need leadership that serves people and planet.

Through powerful examples of collaborative and service-driven leaders - many of them women - and practical tools including a 10-step roadmap and self-assessments, this book provides a positive path forward for leaders in business, government, and society.

The best of humanity is still ahead. Follow this courageous call to action and create a leadership culture that's inclusive, balanced, and capable of shaping a future we can all thrive in.©2025 Maria Brinck

Reseñas de la Crítica

A timely exploration of how leadership must evolve to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Drawing from her global experiences-from corporate boardrooms to indigenous communities in the Congo Basin-Maria argues that humanity cannot overcome crises like climate change, inequality, and technological disruption with the same leadership models that created them. For too long, leadership has been dominated by masculine-coded traits such as competition and control. While not dismissing their value, she insists that the future requires balance: empathy, collaboration, and long-term thinking must be elevated as core leadership qualities.

Central to the book is the argument that excluding women from leadership impoverishes humanity's potential. With fewer than 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs being women, Maria calls for dismantling the monopoly of masculine leadership and creating cultures where women's authentic strengths are valued rather than suppressed. She also critiques current education systems and economic metrics, urging a redefinition of success around human well-being, not just GDP or shareholder value.

Ultimately, the book is both a warning and a hopeful vision. By embracing inclusive, balanced leadership, Maria believes humanity can not only survive but flourish, unlocking its greatest potential. (Wilson Yeung)

This was a really interesting take on the power of feminine leadership with some of the challenges our world currently faces.

I actually found it a hopeful read, filled with interesting stories and perspectives on how more representation of some of the traits more commonly associated with women could help to increase engagement, creativity and problem-solving to the problems that we face in this century. It was a short, easy and enjoyable read with plenty of food for thought.

Thanks to Maria Brinck, John Murray Business and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review. (Toni Noble)

The Leadership We Need is a fascinating look at the value qualities commonly associated with the feminine bring to leadership. The writing style was engaging with a fair mix of discussion and stories of other leaders (both male and female) who exemplify these qualities. One critique I have is that this book did get political, and while I didn't necessarily mind it, I feel like the myriad of good points the author made might be overlooked by those who disagree with her politically. The author conceded to this inevitability in the pages of the book, so it does seem it was a conscious choice.

I would like to thank John Murray Business and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (Amanda Cotton)

Provocative Needed Direction

This book is quite provocative as Maria Brinck outlines our world's trajectory with our current capitalistic growth at all costs mentality. Fortunately, she offers a different approach, one where we consciously incorporate more feminine leadership qualities that are more sustainable and ultimately, in the long run, healthier and more profitable for us all. .

Amazing book

So informative, so thoughtful, and really beautifully written. This opened my mind in so many ways!

I am so inspired by this book!

I am so inspired by this book! Ms. Brinck has done her research. This, coupled with a broad perspective born of her cultural immersion abroad, offers a compelling blueprint for "the leadership we need" moving forward. She lays out the "command and control", highly militarized leadership that has brought us to this breaking point, and offers an alternative framework full of hope: a leadership driven by compassion, collaboration, and courage. After reading this book I have a clear vision of the leaders I will be supporting, but moreso, the type of leader I want to become.

Very Insightful and well researched

Thank you for linking leadership needs to our global challenges rather than quarterly profit. The reader also did a great job, making the book great to listen to.