Jami Varela’s Connected: A Guide for Leading in a More Human Way is a refreshingly candid and insightful guide to leadership that challenges the outdated, robotic style of management and replaces it with something far more meaningful, human connection. The book is built around a simple but powerful idea: great leadership isn’t about control, it’s about empathy, trust, and real relationships. Drawing from personal experiences, Varela takes readers through the highs and lows of her own leadership journey, making this book feel less like a manual and more like a conversation with a mentor who’s been in the trenches.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its honesty. From the book’s introduction, Varela lays it all out: being a top performer in your field doesn’t automatically make you a good leader. Her story of transitioning from a superstar sales rep to a struggling manager is both relatable and eye-opening. She describes the frustration of suddenly feeling incompetent in a new role, a feeling many professionals experience but rarely talk about. I appreciated how she didn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of leadership but instead offered real, actionable ways to navigate them. The chapter The Path to Compassionate Leadership was especially compelling, showing how vulnerability and self-awareness can turn a struggling manager into a true leader.

The book is also packed with humor and real-world wisdom. Chapter titles like Don’t Bring Fear to the Village People and 1980 Called. They Want Their Leadership Style Back makes it clear that Varela isn’t here to lecture, she’s here to shake things up. One of my favorite sections, Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor, emphasizes how leadership often requires showing up as your best self, even on days when you don’t feel like it. Her ability to blend humor with hard truths makes Connected an engaging read, and I found myself nodding (and sometimes laughing) as she called out common leadership mistakes in a way that felt constructive rather than judgmental.

What sets Connected apart from other leadership books is its focus on emotional intelligence. Varela doesn’t just tell you to “be a better leader;” she breaks down exactly how to do it, how to build trust, how to give and receive feedback without fear, and how to lead with both confidence and compassion. The chapter Unlicensed Therapist stood out to me because it tackles something few leadership books address: the emotional baggage that employees bring to work. Instead of dismissing personal struggles as “not my problem,” Varela encourages leaders to create a supportive environment while maintaining healthy boundaries. This approach is not only refreshing but necessary in today’s workplace.

Connected: A Guide for Leading in a More Human Way is a must-read for anyone who wants to lead in a way that actually works, whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned executive looking to revamp your leadership style. Varela makes it clear that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about building real connections, earning trust, and fostering an environment where people can thrive. If you’re tired of old-school, fear-based management tactics and want to lead in a way that feels natural and fulfilling, this book is for you.

Pages: 112 | ISBN : 978-1544546223