You Can Lead is a practical and down-to-earth guide for new team leaders, and for established leaders who want to increase their leadership capability. It is packed with the wisdom and experience of some of the best thinkers in this field. The text is written in an easy-to-read style, and jargon is minimized. It contains engaging examples and scenarios to illustrate the main points. Diagrams provide easy reference guides to the main points in each chapter.

The book demystifies the idea that to lead you have to have a special personality or 'look the part'. It explains how anyone can become an effective leader by behaving in a way that inspires others to follow them. There is plenty of advice about connecting with people, building relationships based on trust and influencing others to share the team's vision and ethos. Readers will also learn how to manage the stresses and the difficult moments, as well as enjoy the successes with their teams.

Another feature of the book is that it highlights three critical knowledge and capability domains that each leader should attempt to master. These are:

• Focussing individual and team effort
• Energising and motivating the team
• Creating a positive social climate

Readers will learn what each of these involves and the strategies they can use to begin implementing each one right away. In addition, they will find detailed advice about what to prioritise in each domain during the first 30 days in a new team leader role.

PRAISE FOR YOU CAN LEAD

Judith is a knowledgeable and respected expert in the leadership field. She has worked across all sectors and grasps the critical factors driving leadership performance. As a professor, her teaching on this topic in the MBA program was relevant and engaging. Those qualities shine through in this excellent book.

- Stan Glaser, Professor (rtd.) and Principal at Glaser Consulting

You Can Lead is a timely guide for team leaders seeking to deliver better outcomes to the community. It is full of real-world advice and illustrated with mini case studies and anecdotes that bring the key points to life. It will be a valuable resource for leaders in health management and those teaching about leadership in any field.

- Anneke Fitzgerald, Professor of Health Management, Griffith University

You Can Lead is essential reading for all who aspire to be leaders in their field. It is informative and practical as well as inspiring. If you are starting out as a leader I highly recommend this book.

- Wendy Holland, Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney