Lead Like You Mean It

Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite

By: Laysha Ward

Narrated by: Laysha Ward, Maria Shriver

AS SEEN ON THE TODAY SHOW

A groundbreaking, inspiring, and holistic new approach to leadership from one of the top woman C-suite executives in the nation

AN OPEN FIELD PUBLICATION FROM MARIA SHRIVER

We all want a healthy and happy personal life, financial security, and to do meaningful work. We don’t want to lose sight of our values and, in pursuit of financial security and career success, get sucked into a dead-end job. We want a life filled with purpose and to leave behind a meaningful legacy. But how do we do all these things, especially in today’s divisive times?

In Lead Like You Mean It, Laysha Ward draws on her storied career as one of the nation’s top Black female C-suite executives to show readers the answer: leading with meaning.

Leading with meaning entails viewing your life and career as part of the same puzzle, acting from your purpose, making intentional choices, nurturing relationships, and championing and sustaining yourself and others. When you lead with meaning, you are taking a holistic approach that blends your life and career. You are part of something that’s bigger than yourself, staying aligned with your purpose no matter what life throws at you or how your purpose evolves. You are stepping into, rather than shying away from, new relationships, even with people from completely different backgrounds. And you are committing to bettering yourself and being of service to others.

As you learn to focus on self-care and total well-being, navigate the highs and lows of life and career, and shape a legacy that leaves people and things better off than you found them, you’ll discover that leading with meaning—at any age—is the key to a well-lived life.

Authentic story telling

A Leader’s Journey Worth Taking! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow! What an inspiring masterclass in authentic leadership! I had no idea about Laysha Ward’s incredible journey at Target—from entry-level to the C-Suite—and how she unlocked her potential along the way. She opens up with such candor, sharing the real-deal struggles and triumphs that shaped her path to the top.

This book is packed with wisdom on what it truly means to lead with heart and purpose. Laysha doesn’t sugarcoat it: the road to leadership requires sacrifice, self-work, and standing firmly in your power.

Moments that made me stop mid-run to absorb:
∙ The powerful incident with Bob that is a great reflection moment
∙ The pivotal dinner conversation with her mentor Mike (career reflection gold!)
∙ The brilliant “kitchen cabinet” analogy for building your support team
∙ The lunch counter lesson that hit different 🎯
∙ The hair strategy discussion—absolutely mind-blowing! As someone who never thought about hair as part of professional navigation, this opened my eyes to the complex calculations our Black sisters make daily. And, totally something new I learned is the play on the word WAIT- Why am I Talking?

This isn’t just a leadership book—it’s a revelation about the learned skills of great leadership. I’ll definitely be listening again because Laysha’s story makes you reflect deeply on your own career journey while feeling genuinely inspired about the possibilities ahead.

Must-read for: Anyone who wants to lead (or lead better!) with authenticity and purpose. 📚✨