“The work of leadership isn’t just about building organizations,” writes Grossman; “it’s about building people who then create something extraordinary together.” Drawing on the “collective wisdom” of his clients and colleagues in the business sector, as well as data amassed by the Harris Poll on behalf of his consulting agency, the author argues that the most effective modern leaders balance “emotional intelligence with analytical thinking.” In other words, they combine an empathetic, encouraging approach with strategic thinking focused on efficiency. While the book’s ample selection of anecdotes from CEOs across numerous businesses lend a personal touch to the work, what stands out most is the poll data taken from more than 2,000 employees. This research indicates the persistence of antiquated “command-and-control” leadership styles, with only one-third of employees willing to call their organization’s leadership “exceptional.” Grossman convincingly uses the Harris Poll data to identify six traits characteristic of exceptional leaders and devotes an entire chapter to each, including leading with gratitude, fostering an inclusive culture, and “communicat[ing] with context.” (The author reports that leaders designated exceptional by their employees were more than seven times more effective at “adjusting their communication to meet employee needs.”) Grossman conveys his research-backed claims in an enthusiastic writing style that makes for an absorbing read rich with real-world examples and commentary from the author’s corporate cohorts. The book boasts a wealth of visual elements, such as colorful fonts and high-resolution, full-color illustrations, diagrams, and photographs; occasionally, the work feels like a stimulating collection of streamlined infographics. It also reads at times like an extended advertisement for the author’s consulting agency, the Grossman Group, since the text is full of trademarked phrases, references to the author’s other books, and QR codes linked to additional products and services.