Ian Windle - The Leadership Map: The gritty guide to strategy that works and people who care

Like many of us I have read loads of leadership books, some good and some not so good; however, I have never read anything that captures the art and the science (as Ian describes it) as well as this book does. He breaks down the components in a reader-friendly and easily digestible style and does so in a way that either the New Leader can equip themselves with the Bible, or any of us more experienced, who want to refresh our thinking, can dip in and out of the bits we need to remind ourselves of the most. The book is littered with real-life anecdotes that bring it to life and contains some of the very best quotes you can use for life. This is an absolute must for every leaders desk, never to gather dust in the library!

David Sheepshanks CBE DL, Founding Chairman of St
Georges Park, FA National Football Centre & Vistage Chair

Ian knows more about leadership than anyone else Ive known. He has spent many years honing and crafting his leadership map, working closely with a huge variety of different businesses, and absorbing the thoughts of almost every key speaker and expert on leadership. This book is an all-encompassing guide to what it takes to be a brilliant leader, and I cant recommend it highly enough.

Patrick OLuanaigh, CEO, nDreams

Clear, concise and perceptive a great guide to leadership in business.

Stephen Dunford, Chairman of multiple tech businesses

Ian has been my business coach through the years that have seen Breathe grow from a small start-up to a thriving scale-up. He is one of my most valued advisors and has helped me make many difficult decisions. His skill lies in asking challenging questions, and The Leadership Map will help leaders tease out what questions they need to ask of themselves and their businesses.

Jonathan Richards, CEO, Breathe

This map is just bursting with ideas, examples and steps to take on your leadership journey. Keep it close: it is packed with relevance and steeped in experience.

Peter Joshua, Founder, Thecosystems

The Leadership Map shares a journey through engaging insight of building business and culture. Using analytical and practical guides, designed to encourage action from managers and leaders, the book focuses on strategy, people and execution within an organization critical for building great businesses. An excellent reminder of leadership fundamentals.

Carol Blackford-Mills, Founder and MD, MRS Digital

The Leadership Map simplifies the incredibly complex challenges facing leaders of growing businesses today. The logical, easy-to-follow structure gives you the tools you need to become a better leader. This book is a must read that youll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Dominic Gaynor, CEO, TeamSport Karting

I was in the audience when Ian gave his TEDx Talk and subsequently attended one of his Leadership Map workshops. I was therefore thrilled when I heard that that wisdom and content he eulogizes were being committed to a book. Reading the manuscript, Im delighted that Ian has successfully crafted an essential leadership blueprint on all the requisite areas needed to successfully run a business. I started my own company 30 years ago and I would have loved to have had access to this then; however, even for a long-established firm there is so much value in this book, allowing the reader to reflect and challenge themselves and their organization. The Leadership Map is a 12-piece (chapter) jigsaw puzzle and you need to successfully assemble all the pieces to complete the very best version of you, the leader, and for your organization to excel as a result. I implore you to read this book, invest your time and energy to properly assemble the elements of the map and you will have given yourself the very best chance of success.

Rob May, MD, ramsac and international keynote speaker

This is the kind of book you need to break down what leadership is and get inspiration on how to apply it in your daily work as a leader.

Jan Hansen, Owner, SAV Systems

Leading a business is all about culture, where you unite people around a common purpose. During that process, you come to recognize that people want to be valued and trusted. The Leadership Map offers you the practical tools, techniques and processes that will enable you to make this happen and in doing so help you build a more profitable, successful and sustainable business. I know Ive done it.

Jim Kirkwood, CEO, TTC Group (UK) Ltd

Ian Windle has done something unique. Hes written a truly practical book about leadership! There are plenty of practical books about management, but so few on leadership, and so this book strives to reach new territory by delving into the practical world of leadership. Stephen Covey says that management is about climbing the ladder, and leadership is about knowing which wall to put the ladder against. In this amazing book, Ian shows us how to find the wall, how to choose the ladder, where to put the ladder and who to take on that journey up the ladder.

David Batchelor, Founder and MD, Wills and Trusts

Ian Windle gets strategy and has guided and supported us to a clearly defined and compelling strategic identity. Highly recommended!

Hugh Welch, European Managing Director, Kyocera SGS

The mentorship of this author, over the last few years, has culminated for me in a company so engaged they set their own goals and share in the profits. The only addition I would add to this fabulous book, is that a business coach is essential, as it can be lonely at the top in the early days.

Paul Martin, CEO Kellys Storage

I feel immensely privileged to have been guided by Ian on my road to becoming a more effective leader but not a day goes by when it wouldnt be useful to turn to him for advice, so Im really pleased that hes taken the time to write his own leadership handbook! Theres no doubt that leadership can be complicated and difficult but with this book by your side, I guarantee youll be well-equipped to deal with the challenges, develop successful strategy and build resilient, focused, engaged and effective teams.

David Smith, CEO S M Contracts Limited

The Leadership Map provides a clear and well-conceived approach to leadership and combines many topics into one very useful tool. This book is a must-read for any business leader regardless of where they are in their career; starting out, transitioning through management, or seasoned business owner. It is a career book one you will come back to again and again, each time finding something new and a new perspective.

Ben Beaumont, Managing Director, 48.3 Scaffold Design

First published in Great Britain by Practical Inspiration Publishing, 2021

Ian Windle, 2021

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

ISBN 9781788602242 (print)

9781788602235 (epub)

9781788602228 (mobi)

All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the author.

Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. The publisher apologizes for any errors or omissions and would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this book.