The Price a Leader Pays by NOT Writing a Hybrid Leadership Memoir

The Price a Leader Pays by NOT Writing a Hybrid Leadership Memoir

From the desk of Jeffrey Allen Mangus, CEO, Mangus Media Group

After writing my first book in 2017 and losing my left leg below the knee, my life changed in every way. I had direction. I found a purpose. Once I began writing, facing my doubts and fears and the blank page, I soon saw the power of words to help me heal from the trauma my mind and body were going through. Once I wrote and published that book, I couldn’t imagine my life without it. It’s the same as imagining my life without food or water. It doesn’t work. The book wasn’t only a milestone, but also a point of trajectory into another world and life I never imagined. I am glad I wrote it, leaving everything on the table without regret.

The decision to forgo a hybrid leadership memoir can negatively impact a leader's business. There are many drawbacks to a leader's influence without a book in their toolbox. Based on Jeffrey A. Mangus's research and personal experience, books are crucial for a company’s long-term success. Books are a vital component in almost every leader’s business and life. And in not writing a business book, leaders may experience several notable disadvantages. Here are just a few:

 Loss of Valuable Leadership Insights

If leaders don’t document and share their leadership experiences, future generations or individuals who could benefit from them may miss valuable insights and lessons learned. By not writing a book, leaders hinder the chance for aspiring leaders to learn from them and prevent the sharing of their knowledge and skill set with the world.

 Missed Opportunities for Personal and Professional Growth

Crafting a memoir or book can provide a deeply reflective experience, often offering new perspectives on one's leadership style and approach. Neglecting this process may cause leaders to overlook crucial opportunities for personal and professional development. Writing a book, especially a hybrid leadership memoir, is a cleansing and organic way to learn more about oneself and to strengthen one's leadership and personality.

 Difficulty in Navigating Future Challenges

Reflecting on past leadership experiences can provide invaluable insights for navigating future challenges and making informed decisions. Not having a written record of these experiences can make it tougher to apply past lessons to overcome new hurdles. Writing a book offers the essential time for self-introspection regarding past mistakes and failures, presenting a rare chance to use those missteps as a guide to future success.

 Missed Authority and Credibility

Writing a book helps solidify a leader's reputation as an expert in their field by firmly establishing their expertise. Without books, leaders might overlook significant opportunities for formally validating their knowledge and skills. Writing a memoir that blends different leadership styles can help them become a respected and thought-provoking leader. Without it, potential followers and peers may overlook their ideas and insights.

 Lack of Credibility and Influence

Writing and publishing a memoir or book can significantly enhance a leader's credibility and expand their influence within their industry or community. Without documenting their leadership journey, leaders may struggle to make a meaningful impact and motivate others effectively.

With a hybrid leadership memoir, leaders can reach wider and further among their peers and industry. A book can reach a global audience, spreading influence far beyond an immediate circle. Not writing a book severely limits a leader's ability to communicate their ideas on a larger scale.

 Inability to Leave a Lasting Legacy

A well-written memoir or book can serve as a lasting legacy that inspires and educates future generations of leaders. Without this written record, future generations may not remember or celebrate a leader's journey in the same profound way.

Books, especially hybrid leadership memoirs, have a lasting impact on readers long after their publication. Not publishing a book could mean that future generations will never see or read a leader's invaluable ideas and contributions after they are gone. Moreover, once a book is written, it becomes a permanent part of the culture, a small piece of history serving as a record of one's thoughts and vision. Without it, that impact can disappear, never seeing the light of day.

 Missed Economic Opportunities

A book can create additional revenue streams and generate significant income through sales, speaking engagements, and related ventures if launched and written well. Neglecting a business leadership book means missing out on potential financial benefits and opportunities for a better business. Many leaders view books as a crucial marketing tool to attract new clients or customers. Without a book, a business's growth potential may be limited, and additional income streams might be overlooked.

 Networking and Collaboration

Expanded networks are always essential in business. Most leaders strive to connect with other influential figures, and the book-writing process naturally opens doors to new collaborations and partnerships. Not writing a book can eliminate many of these networking opportunities. Furthermore, a well-written book establishes credibility among one's peers, earning respect and acknowledgment. Without this, gaining the same level of credibility might prove significantly harder.

Leaders who don’t write books face numerous drawbacks in terms of authority, influence, and personal or organizational development. While not all leaders must write a book to succeed, doing so can bring multiple advantages that profoundly enhance both personal and professional leadership.

 If you are a leader and have a book idea you would like to discuss, please get in touch and speak with our elite team of writers about your concept. (Click here)

 About Mangus Media Group

Mangus Media Group collaborates with influential executives, leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging authors who possess compelling, life-changing stories and aim to share them through business books or memoirs.

CEO, Jeffrey A. Mangus, is an 8x #1 Amazon bestselling ghostwriter and author with thirty-nine (39) award-winning and bestselling books to his credit. Jeffrey has written for several major publishers, including HarperCollins Leadership, HarperCollins Focus, Rowman & Littlefield, Blackstone, Tantor, Highbridge Audio, and Audible.