In Leaders of Influence: Balancing Power, Peacemaking, and Purpose; leadership authors and consultants, Bill Riggs and Matthew Casassa, explore the nuanced world of leadership by comparing some of the most impactful leaders across history with today’s most influential figures. This book examines how core values such as authority, compassion, innovation, and vision have shaped leaders throughout time—whether in religious, political, or corporate settings—and how these principles can be applied to today’s dynamic leadership challenges.

With insight gained from figures as diverse as Jesus of Nazareth, Ronald Reagan, Jacinda Ardern, and corporate giants like Herb Kelleher and Jeff Bezos, Leaders of Influence delves into both timeless and emerging strategies. Through rigorous analysis and real-world case studies, the book covers how historical figures applied traits like emotional intelligence, stewardship, and peacemaking, while modern leaders demonstrate these principles in an ever-evolving corporate and digital landscape.

Riggs and Casassa discuss the complexities leaders face in managing authority while inspiring creativity, balancing control with empowerment, and promoting ethics while navigating economic realities. Each chapter offers practical takeaways for aspiring leaders across sectors, showing how the styles of these renowned figures can serve as a blueprint for cultivating genuine influence.

Key Themes and Concepts:

• Authority Under Control: Analyzing how leaders like Jesus and modern CEOs exercise power in a way that commands respect without overreach.
• The Peacemaking Approach: Drawing distinctions between peacemakers and peacekeepers, with case studies of government and community leaders who promote unity.
• Visionary Leadership: Exploring how articulating a clear vision fosters resilience, purpose, and trust, as demonstrated by leaders like Ronald Reagan.
• The Pygmalion Effect in Action: Revealing how leaders’ expectations influence employee performance and create cultures of achievement and growth.
• Navigating Modern Challenges: Investigating how current trends in diversity, digital transformation, and social responsibility require adaptability in leadership.

Leaders of Influence is a comprehensive, accessible guide for anyone aiming to refine their leadership approach, drawing timeless lessons from historical icons and modern visionaries alike.