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The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems
- Author
- Katie Best
- Narrator
- Katie Best
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 28 August 2025
- Run Time
- 7 hours 36 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
Read by the author, Katie Best.
The essential leadership guide, as seen in Forbes and Harvard Business Review
'Clear, compassionate and immediately useful . . . A powerful and timely resource for leaders at every level' – Dr Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of Triggers
Drawing on decades of in-the-field research and consultancy work, renowned leadership expert Dr Katie Best cuts through the jargon to tackle the real problems leaders face every day.
Dr Best's signature SOLVE framework provides a simple, systematic approach to break down complex challenges, find the root cause and develop a solution. It's the practical tool you can employ immediately, even when time or resources for coaching are scarce.
Each chapter uses this framework to tackle a genuine and tough leadership problem:
- State the Problem: Gain clarity on what's really going wrong.
- Open the Box: Unpack the underlying causes using data and research.
- Lay Out Your Solution: Develop a realistic, tailored action plan.
- Venture Forth: Anticipate and overcome obstacles during implementation.
- Elevate Your Learning: Build on your new skills for lasting leadership growth.
Whether you're struggling with burnout, tricky decision-making, leading change or navigating the hybrid workplace reality, this is the book you need to become a better leader now.
'An accessible, practical and vital resource for solving the kinds of sticky problems that all leaders face' – Peter Bregman, #1 Executive Coach and bestselling author of Leading with Emotional Courage
'Reading Katie Best’s book is like having a no-nonsense leadership coach whisper sanity-saving advice in your ear, minus the hefty invoice' – Adrian Gostick, New York Times bestselling author of Leading with Gratitud
Critics Review
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Dr Katie Best has written the kind of leadership book every leader wishes they had sooner—clear, compassionate and immediately useful. The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems doesn’t just diagnose the challenges leaders face—it guides them through them, step by step. Whether you're in a high-stakes boardroom or navigating everyday team dynamics, this book offers smart, grounded strategies to move forward. A powerful and timely resource for leaders at every level
Dr Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
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Reading Katie Best’s book is like having a no-nonsense leadership coach whisper sanity-saving advice in your ear, minus the hefty invoice. The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems doesn’t sugarcoat the messiness of leading today. If you’ve ever wanted to yell, ‘Why is this so hard?!’—this is the practical handbook that will help you actually figure it out
Adrian Gostick, New York Times bestselling author of All In and Leading with Gratitude
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Katie Best's The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems is an invaluable tool that belongs in every leader's kit. A 'pocket leadership coach’, it's an accessible, practical and vital resource for solving the kinds of sticky problems that all leaders face. Once you read it, you’ll be equipped to face any situation with thoughtfulness, skill and grace
Peter Bregman, #1 Executive Coach and bestselling author of 18 Minutes and Leading with Emotional Courage
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When Katie teaches our students at LSE, they appreciate her ability to provide insights grounded in research and evidence. Her book reflects that evidence-based, practical approach, enhanced by her extensive experience as a coach. The many examples and depth of advice make this book an important reference tool for any leader.
This book is a valuable one-stop shop that contains Katie’s evidence-based tips on how to handle big leadership problems. Each chapter goes deep into a complex issue, including contemporary topics such as hybrid and remote working, using her SOLVE framework as a structure. This makes it easy to read and use. Keep this by your desk as a reference tool for when you face those tough leadership problemsProfessor Connson Locke, author of Making Your Voice Heard and Professor of Management, LSE
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Leadership is hard - and getting harder. What Dr Katie Best offers in The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems is exactly what ambitious professionals need: clear, practical solutions without the BS. Leadership is always the problem, and the only solution – so if you want to lead with impact and confidence, this is a must-read
Chris Hirst, award-winning author of No Bullsh*t Leadership
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In The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems, Katie Best provides specific, actionable advice that will help solve the hardest of leadership problems. It's a powerful guide and an important resource for leaders at any level
Lorraine K. Lee, keynote speaker and bestselling author of Unforgettable Presence
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This book addresses the most significant challenges leaders face, and Dr Katie Best provides practical insights and a useful framework for how to tackle these challenges. Every leader should read this valuable book!
Dr Rebecca Newton, author of Authentic Gravitas, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Department of Management, LSE, and CEO of CoachAdviser
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Packed with relatable leadership challenges and solutions, Best’s book is essential for senior leaders and managers. The insights on fostering healthy conflict and aligning goals for effective collaboration are invaluable. With 13+ years of coaching expertise, Best delivers a gem of a guide for improving team communication, engagement and morale
Dr Heidi Gardner, author of Smart Collaboration, CEO of Gardner & Co and Harvard Fellow
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In order for a company to do great things in the world, its leaders must successfully navigate all kinds of challenges. This book gives managers and executives the insight they need to make smart decisions and lead with confidence
Daniel Hulme, CEO of SATALIA and Conscium (AI Consciousness), Chief AI Officer at WPP and investor
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Katie’s book is a brilliant exploration of some of the most common, and yet trickiest issues that all leaders (whether brand new to the role or seasoned pros) will face during their tenure. This is an essential guide for anyone aspiring to lead with bravery, vision and impact
Jo Farmer, Joint Managing Partner at Lewis Silkin LLP
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[This book] truly identifies the trickiest problems to deal with in business, from age-old problems like Staff Motivation to newer challenges like Hybrid Working. Katie looks at these from every angle and provides clear actions for resolution. A great read and a useful reference for anyone in business. Brilliant!
Nick Rice, CEO at Consolite
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Whatever your leadership style, this book is thought-provoking and applicable in equal measure. An essential guide for every leader whatever their discipline, sector or size of business
Lizzie Penny, Co-Founder and Joint CEO at Hoxby Ltd. and Workstyle Revolution CIC
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Covering 10 of the most pressing challenges leaders face today — from decision-making to driving culture — Katie Best offers practical insights you can put into action immediately. Tackle these 10, and you won’t just lead better . . . you’ll lead smarter. A must-read for anyone serious about elevating their leadership impact in today’s complex workplace
Brenda Bence, Top 10 Global Fortune 250 Coach and author of Would YOU Want to Work for YOU?
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Dr Katie Best takes on the toughest leadership dilemmas with a rare blend of evidence-based insight and warm humanity, illuminating a clear path through the noise. Her framework invites leaders to unlock themselves and take courageous, empathetic action that energises people and gets results
Hortense le Gentil, Executive Leadership Coach and author of The Unlocked Leader
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Katie Best
- Narrator
- Katie Best
- Duration
- 7 hours 36 minutes
- Release Date
- 28 August 2025
- ISBN
- 9781035082223
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Management: leadership and motivation, Management decision making, Advice on careers and achieving success, Business process / operations management, Organizational theory and behaviour
Synopsis
Read by the author, Katie Best.The essential leadership guide, as seen in Forbes and Harvard Business Review'Clear, compassionate and immediately useful . . . A powerful and timely resource for leaders at every level' – Dr Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of TriggersDrawing on decades of in-the-field research and consultancy work, renowned leadership expert Dr Katie Best cuts through the jargon to tackle the real problems leaders face every day.Dr Best's signature SOLVE framework provides a simple, systematic approach to break down complex challenges, find the root cause and develop a solution. It's the practical tool you can employ immediately, even when time or resources for coaching are scarce.Each chapter uses this framework to tackle a genuine and tough leadership problem:State the Problem: Gain clarity on what's really going wrong.Open the Box: Unpack the underlying causes using data and research.Lay Out Your Solution: Develop a realistic, tailored action plan.Venture Forth: Anticipate and overcome obstacles during implementation.Elevate Your Learning: Build on your new skills for lasting leadership growth.Whether you're struggling with burnout, tricky decision-making, leading change or navigating the hybrid workplace reality, this is the book you need to become a better leader now.'An accessible, practical and vital resource for solving the kinds of sticky problems that all leaders face' – Peter Bregman, #1 Executive Coach and bestselling author of Leading with Emotional Courage'Reading Katie Best’s book is like having a no-nonsense leadership coach whisper sanity-saving advice in your ear, minus the hefty invoice' – Adrian Gostick, New York Times bestselling author of Leading with Gratitud
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