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The former president of Budget Avis, US details how leaders can transform organizations into sanctuaries where people feel a deep connection to one another, a profound sense of being part of an important mission, extraordinarily engaged in their work, and, as a direct result, produce unprecedented profits.

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If you want your company to thrive, you need to break one of the oldest unwritten rules of leadership.

Leaders in nearly every industry have learned to keep a professional "distance" between themselves and the people who report to them-to avoid getting too close or too personal. This unwritten rule of leadership is pervasive and quietly destructive, and, little by little, keeping ourselves at arm´s length destroys trust, collaboration, and the very fabric of organizations.

When Tom Gartland became president of Avis Budget Group, North America, he wanted the corporate culture to become more "open and connected"-so he started with himself. His message was "business is personal-very personal." As he grew closer and connected more with those he was leading, he became a more effective leader, and those around him were inspired to create unprecedented results.

Tom found that when we truly open up and care about the people we work with, we can transform organizations into sanctuaries where people feel a deep connection to one another, a profound sense of being part of an important mission, and extraordinary engagement in their work. The result? Employees who feel valued generate exceptional profits. After applying this business philosophy at Avis, not only did Tom see an increase in employee morale, he also saw a significant increase in the company´s bottom line.

In Lead with Heart, Tom provides an unconventional approach to business leadership, including advice and strategies on how to open yourself up as a leader, recognize potential in your employees, and increase employees´ trust in you and the company. Lead with Heart is the revolutionary leadership book that will help managers and employees at all levels grow their businesses by connecting, honestly and meaningfully, with the people they lead.

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Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: Learning to Lead with Heart

Chapter 2: Knowing the Sound of Your Own Heart

Chapter 3: Opening Yourself Up-to Yourself and to Others

Chapter 4: Building an Engaged, Trusting Culture

Chapter 5: Sometimes It Takes Being Friggin´ Crazy

Chapter 6: Recognizing the Potential in People

Chapter 7: Delivering Tough News with Your Heart

Chapter 8: Creating a Purpose and Strategy That Connects with Your Team

Chapter 9: Connecting with the Hearts of Your Customers

Chapter 10: Seeing New Possibilities with Your Coach

Conclusion

My Scorecard Update

A Special Lifelong Connection

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

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Gartland, Tom

Tom Gartland is a compassionate, strategic, and inspiring leader, who-by learning to connect his professional with his personal life-helped transform the culture of a Fortune 500 company into an engaged, collaborative, top-performing organization that experienced unprecedented growth. Described by his colleagues and clients as "compassionate, caring, strategic, driven, disciplined, competitive, confident, focused, decisive, authentic, passionate, and inspiring," Tom is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of two publicly traded companies (Xenia Hotels and ABM), a Senior Advisor to a private equity firm which was founded by the Rockefeller and Mellon families (AEA Investors), and the former President, North America for Avis Budget Group.

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