For most of us, leadership was hard-won. For others, it was bestowed. In either case, it often came without a rule book, a set of stories to guide us, or a clear understanding of the difference between being "the boss" and being a true leader. At last, one veteran leader has compiled his most instructive stories and an insightful set of viewpoints on leadership so -- whether you have 20 years of professional experience or none at all -- you can benefit from some real-world, "been there, done that" perspective. Carson Sublett's Bosses Are Hired ... Leadership Is Earned: Experiences. Lessons. Decisions. Life. was written to provide that perspective and to give aspiring leaders a leg up in business.

Early in his career, Carson would find himself mired in workplace situations, thinking "Did I miss the class or seminar on how to handle this situation?" Or, "We clearly have a problem here. Are those guys in senior positions above me not seeing this? Hello!!" He lived through those situations, making some right moves and some not-so-perfect ones, eventually aligning himself with outstanding mentors and discovering that he wanted to truly earn the trust and support of the people he ultimately was hired or promoted to lead.

In Carson's mind, anyone can be hired into a position and become a "boss," but leadership -- in the truest sense of the word -- is earned.

Real Stories, Practical Lessons
What might you do if:

• Two of your employees were struck by tragedy at work, and one didn t make it home to his family?
  
• A leader several levels above you got drunk and disorderly and you were asked to pick him up at the local police department?
• The blue-collar workers, many years your senior, offered to help a young white-collar you be a decent leader?
• While working in a large manufacturing company, where the work can feel impersonal, you suddenly discovered you wanted to connect your daily efforts to the stories and lives of the individual customers that your products helped?
• You were asked to help prepare your facility for sale to some nameless, faceless bureaucrats when you and your colleagues dreamed about owning the company yourselves?
• Your employees were frequently injuring themselves performing a task that those employees thought could be improved with their own invention?
  
• You suddenly found yourself "on the outs" at work -- excluded from meetings and important conversations, despite your leadership title and relevant job description?
  

For today's emerging leaders, there's a new way to think about leadership. And it involves understanding that success comes through the people in the organization, not in spite of them! In this refreshing book about modern leadership, readers are offered:

• A read-at-your-own-pace, choose-your-adventure reading experience.
  
• Profiles on good bosses, so you can learn to recognize one when you see one (even in the mirror).
• Dozens of lessons about everything from how we can and might act under stress, to how we influence and inspire (for better or for worse), how to see people as the solution and not the problem, how to juggle egos and politics, and how to accept blame and responsibility.
  

"An entertaining book about the real world of business, without pretenses but with all the lessons aspiring leaders need!"

-- With a foreword by strategic communications and marketing leader Tim Doke. --