LEADING AT THE TOP
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP: THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF BETTER
ISBN: 9781764755306
RRP: $52.75 (PB)
Reviewed by Vik Kortiang
Authentic Leadership by Sassoon Grigorian stands out as a refreshingly grounded exploration of leadership, built entirely on his personal experience rather than abstract frameworks. Instead of presenting models or academic theories, Sassoon draws from real moments in his career—successes, failures, and the unexpected lessons in between—to show what good leadership looks like in practice.
The structure is driven by short case studies and vivid examples, each offering a snapshot of a real situation and the leadership behaviour that shaped it. These stories are tight, purposeful, and easy to absorb, making the book feel more like a conversation with a seasoned mentor than a traditional leadership text.
What makes the book particularly valuable is its practicality. Every chapter leaves you with something you can apply immediately—whether it’s a communication habit, a way to build trust, or a simple shift in how you approach team challenges. The advice is direct, actionable, and rooted in lived experience rather than theory, which makes it especially useful for readers who prefer learning from real-world practice.
Overall, this is a highly accessible and hands‑on leadership book that shows, rather than tells, what effective leadership looks like. It’s ideal for anyone who wants practical guidance grounded in authentic experience rather than academic models.
Dr. Vik Kortiang teaches at Macquarie University and works at the Performance Improvement Institute