What will I learn about: how to find your 'True North,' an inner compass based on your true self that will guide you through chaotic times and make you an authentic leader?

Discover how to find your 'True North,' an inner compass based on your true self that will guide you through chaotic times and make you an authentic leader.

What will I learn about: draw inspiration from your unique life story and past hardships to become an authentic leader driven by a desire to serve others?

Learn how to draw inspiration from your unique life story and past hardships to become an authentic leader driven by a desire to serve others.

What will I learn about: the five archetypes of derailed leaders—Imposters, Rationalizers, Glory Seekers, Loners, and Shooting Stars—so you can avoid the trap of self-centeredness?

Understand the five archetypes of derailed leaders—Imposters, Rationalizers, Glory Seekers, Loners, and Shooting Stars—so you can avoid the trap of self-centeredness.

What will I learn about: Recognize that true leadership is not about gaining followers, but rather about using your own transformative life events to empower others to reach their full potential?

Recognize that true leadership is not about gaining followers, but rather about using your own transformative life events to empower others to reach their full potential.

What will I learn about: deep self-awareness to calibrate your inner compass, ensuring your daily actions stay perfectly aligned with your core values and leadership goals?

Master deep self-awareness to calibrate your inner compass, ensuring your daily actions stay perfectly aligned with your core values and leadership goals.

True North

Discover Your Authentic Leadership

Bill George

★ 4.4 / 5(128 ratings)

Start ListeningDownload QR code that opens AudiobookHub on the App Store

Try free on iPhoneScan to start in 5 seconds

Categories:

Management & Leadership

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What if you could achieve your most ambitious professional goals while staying perfectly aligned with your deepest personal values?
💡Have you ever wondered why some leaders thrive under pressure while others lose their way, and what role an "inner compass" plays in their success?
💡What’s the secret to discovering your most authentic leadership style by looking at the defining moments of your own life story?

Listen to True North — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from True North

✓Discover how to find your 'True North,' an inner compass based on your true self that will guide you through chaotic times and make you an authentic leader.
✓Learn how to draw inspiration from your unique life story and past hardships to become an authentic leader driven by a desire to serve others.
✓Understand the five archetypes of derailed leaders—Imposters, Rationalizers, Glory Seekers, Loners, and Shooting Stars—so you can avoid the trap of self-centeredness.
✓Recognize that true leadership is not about gaining followers, but rather about using your own transformative life events to empower others to reach their full potential.
✓Master deep self-awareness to calibrate your inner compass, ensuring your daily actions stay perfectly aligned with your core values and leadership goals.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from True North

Mind Map

True North

Core Philosophy+

Leadership Derailers+

The Internal Compass+

Support & Integration+

Actionable Advice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

According to the book, what is the ultimate priority of an authentic leader?

A. Achieving the highest level of personal success and recognition.
B. Serving others and empowering them to perform at their best.
C. Ensuring the company's stock price reaches its maximum potential.
D. Developing a charismatic vision that forces others to follow.

Question 2 of 9

Which of the following leadership archetypes is characterized by deviating from their values and sacrificing a company's long-term health to meet short-term quotas?

A. Imposters
B. Glory Seekers
C. Rationalizers
D. Shooting Stars

Question 3 of 9

What shift in mindset must occur for someone to become an authentic leader, as illustrated by the stories of Oprah Winfrey and Steve Rothschild?

A. They must abandon the belief that they are the hero of their own journey to instead empower others.
B. They must learn to perfectly separate their personal traumatic experiences from their professional lives.
C. They must focus entirely on extrinsic motivations to drive their team's performance metrics.
D. They must become completely self-reliant to avoid being dragged down by underperforming team members.

Question 4 of 9

Why is self-awareness considered the 'heart of your compass' for authentic leadership?

A. It allows leaders to effectively hide their weaknesses from their competitors and employees.
B. It ensures that a leader will never face ethical dilemmas or make bad business decisions.
C. It helps leaders build true self-confidence and surround themselves with colleagues who fill their skill gaps.
D. It guarantees that a leader will rapidly ascend to the position of CEO without needing mentors.

Question 5 of 9

According to the text, what defines a leader's 'leadership principles'?

A. The ethical rules established by a company's board of directors.
B. A leader's core values translated into action.
C. The specific strategies used to maximize quarterly profits.
D. The external rewards that motivate a leader to succeed.

Question 6 of 9

How should an authentic leader handle extrinsic and intrinsic motivations?

A. They should purge themselves of all extrinsic motivations and rely solely on intrinsic ones.
B. They should focus primarily on extrinsic motivations like salary to build a nest egg first.
C. They should balance extrinsic motivations with intrinsic motivations.
D. They should use intrinsic motivations only in their personal life and extrinsic ones at work.

Question 7 of 9

What is the primary role of a mentor for an authentic leader, according to the book?

A. To constantly make the leader feel good about themselves and boost their ego.
B. To provide the tough love necessary to help the leader learn critical lessons.
C. To introduce the leader to wealthy investors and powerful political contacts.
D. To take responsibility for the leader's mistakes and shield them from public criticism.

Question 8 of 9

What does it mean for a leader to live an 'integrated life'?

A. Merging their company with another to increase market share and personal power.
B. Working exclusively from home to avoid the stress of commuting and office politics.
C. Blending work, family, community, and friends so they can be the same person in each environment.
D. Sacrificing all personal and family time to ensure the ultimate success of their business.

Question 9 of 9

What is the 'New York Times test' designed to help leaders do?

A. Evaluate the effectiveness of their company's public relations and marketing strategy.
B. Determine if they are charismatic enough to give an interview to major media outlets.
C. Assess whether a potential decision is ethically sound before moving forward.
D. Measure their popularity and public perception against other industry leaders.

True North — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
2Draw leadership inspiration and passion from the narrative of your life.
3Self-focus can cause you to lose sight of your compass.
4Authentic leadership centers on empowering others along their journeys.
5Self-awareness will keep you progressing in the proper direction.
6Live your values and principles.
7Find the right motivation to get the most possible from your capabilities.
8Develop your support team by investing in enduring relationships.
9Integrate all facets of your life so that you always remain true to yourself.

True North Summary & Overview

True North (2007) is a guide to discovering your inner compass and staying true to yourself, all while developing the skills you need to be an authentic leader. By uncovering your values and motivations, you’ll gain the tools you need to build a professional life that remains true to who you are.

Who Should Listen to True North?

Leaders looking for a better work-life balance
Anyone hoping to become a better leader
People who need an extra bit of help reaching their goals

About the Author: Bill George

Bill George is a professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School, and is currently on the board of directors at ExxonMobil, Goldman Sachs and Novartis. He is also the author of the best-selling book Authentic Leadership.

Peter Sims established the “Leadership Perspectives” course at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-founded the London office of the global investment firm Summit Partners.

True North

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to True North — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from True North

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

True North — Full Chapter Overview

True North Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to True North?

About the Author: Bill George

Books Similar to True North