By Joanna Barclay, CEO, Culture Leadership Group, author of Conscious Culture; How to Build a High Performing Workplace through Values, Ethics, and Leadership; thought-leader and equine facilitator on conscious leadership and cultural transformation

This book gets to the heart of leadership! Whether you were born to lead, or you desire to be your best for the world, Lisa Anna Palmer uncovers the inspiration and passion that is not only possible in leadership, but which is a must. Young or old, rich or poor, at the top of the organization in a position of power, or at the grassroots level, personal self-leadership is the starting point for leading change. Lisa takes us on a journey through the many, many, experiential stories included throughout the book. We get to learn from diverse leaders who share their stories and provide a glimpse into their mindset, their values, and the beliefs that empowered them to achieve personal success as well as success for their organizations.

An overwhelming percentage of leaders are still stuck in the Industrial Age management style of command and control, protecting their positions with hierarchy and bureaucracy. This is not the leadership style for the twenty-first century if you wish to inspire and engage millennials, who will make up 50% of the workforce by the early 2020s, not to mention the upcoming Gen-Z’s, who are also known as the Digitals. Instead, compassion, courage, competence and collaborative leadership are essential in this new era. In addition to making money, people are looking for meaning and purpose in their jobs, and they want to feel cared for as human beings, not just as human resources or as human capital.

Leadership is a calling to help others and to connect with people, rather than to simply oversee the management of work processes and the accomplishment of tasks. The key role for leaders is to serve. People don’t work for the leader, the leader works for them by ensuring that jobs are secure, that goals are clear, and that they do whatever it takes to help their employees and colleagues win.

If you are looking for ways to inspire and engage your employees, this book has the answers. In it, you will find progressive approaches, tools, and strategies to boost your ability to tap into the source that unlocks and drives true human potential: The heart—the seat of all emotions and behaviors, which houses important values such as respect, loyalty, and trust. In this book you will see that the secret to unleashing the promise of your people and help them achieve their full potential in a healthy and sustainable manner, is to light a fire in their hearts.

What a joy it was reading this book, and what magical ride you too will have. Happy reading.

—Joanna Barclay, CEO, Culture Leadership Group, author of Conscious Culture; How to Build a High Performing Workplace through Values, Ethics, and Leadership; thought-leader and equine facilitator on conscious leadership and cultural transformation.

“Light a Fire in Their Hearts provides a living resource for those considering leadership for the first time, as well as for those seeking to expand their leadership potential. Lisa Anna Palmer masterfully tells the stories of a huge cast of characters spanning generations. The stories possess a spark that represents the fire we carry within us, and share with one another, to do better as leaders.”
— Annette Dillon, National Director, Affordable Housing, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation

“Leadership is more than just about engaging your employees and serving your clients; it’s about creating a lasting legacy for future generations. If you are like many managers and directors being left to figure out leadership on your own, I highly recommend this book so that you can learn from Lisa Anna and over thirty virtual mentors in this guide to igniting engagement.”
— Magdalene Cooman, inspirational speaker, author of Mags Magazine, Director of Employer Engagement, World Skills Employment Centre, Ottawa

“A must read! Many struggle as they haven’t made the shift from subject matter expert to people leader. It takes more than the traditional training course, and Lisa Anna Palmer provides the roadmap to ensure that true leaders are better equipped to create healthier workplaces!”
— Jill Sullivan, M.Sc., Certified Human Resources Leader, Senior Consultant in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, HR Survivalist

“Every once in a while, one is blessed to cross paths with a human being as exceptional as Lisa Anna Palmer. This book that is an absolute must have for any current or aspiring leader committed to making the world a better workplace. Kudos to Lisa for having the courage to tackle this pressing and pervasive issue and for providing leaders with insights and practical tools to help them become better leaders and, by virtue of doing so, creating better workplaces.”
— Linda Caron, M.Ed., Certified Human Resources Leader, HR Warrior

“Light a Fire in Their Hearts is an easy to understand, practical manual for today’s complex workplaces—a book that should be read by leaders who truly want to make a difference in this day and age where wellness, compassion and engagement are craved and sorely amiss. This book is invaluable and inspiring with its meaningful guide to improving bottom line results and aligned engagement. This, through a game-changing approach that puts compassion and wellness into authentic action—with winning results that serve all.”
— Maria R. Nebres, author, Love and the Highly Engaged Team

“I have worked with leaders at all levels for over twenty years. Now, as an executive myself, I often see very high performing individuals step into people leadership roles for the wrong reasons while some new and existing people leaders struggle with the same challenges that are typically not addressed through the more traditional leadership books. Light a Fire in Their Hearts is the book I wish I would have had when I was first starting out on my leadership journey.”
— Caterina Dattilo-Caron, Certified Human Resources Leader, Director, Leadership & Culture, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation

“Lisa Anna Palmer is shifting the way to engage as a leader in an era where we must evolve beyond technology and ensure people are rightfully valued and provided opportunities to be the best version of themselves in a fast-changing workforce. Leaders, for amazing results, use your matches wisely, aim them at their hearts instead of their tush.”
— Johanne G. Gagnon, Assistant Director, Field Policies, Systems and Services with a Federal employer

“As the founder of the Expert Speaker Institute as well as the #1 global Trainer for Learning Tree International, I have trained thousands of leaders at all levels to enhance their communication skills and to engage with their employees so that they want to give and perform their very best. I highly recommend this book to both existing and aspiring leaders so that they can be well equipped to connect with their employees at the human level and watch their success and productivity soar!”
— Majeed Mogharreban, Founder of expertspeaker.com and author of Expert Speaker: 5 Steps to Grow Your Business with Public Speaking