Alan Willett’s Leading the Unleadable (Second Edition) is a powerful reboot of a classic leadership guide that speaks directly to today’s most pressing managerial challenges. With the rise of remote work, polarized teams, and heightened toxicity, Willett confronts the modern "unleadable" head-on and offers compassionate, strategic ways to reach them.

What sets this book apart is its fundamental premise: most people want to contribute positively, even when their behavior suggests otherwise. That humanistic lens makes this more than just a management manual; it’s a toolkit for transformation. Willett doesn't rely on heavy-handed tactics or idealistic fluff; instead, he presents a clear, respectful process to engage even the most disruptive personalities.

The revised edition shines with fresh relevance. Willett integrates lessons for navigating virtual teams, diagnosing remote dysfunction, and recalibrating leadership mindsets in the AI era—all without losing the warmth and practicality of the original. His frameworks are actionable, backed by real-world examples, and genuinely applicable whether you're in a corporate boardroom or managing distributed teams.

It’s not a rigid checklist—it’s insightful, usable, and ready to make a difference. For me, it's already earned a place in my work toolkit and will be in my organization's book club pick lineup (spoiler alert: I co-run it). If you’ve ever felt drained by the drama or frozen by friction, this book gently invites you to lead smarter, not harder.

Thank you HarperCollins Leadership for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.