Leadership Values: An Introspection: A Philadelphia Fire Chief's Forty-Year Journey to Understanding and Practicing Authentic Leadership

2021 READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS FINALIST

Several things set this book apart from other treatments of today’s leadership challenge. Chief Appleby’s concentration on the singular importance of personal leadership values is presented in fourteen easy-to-read, stand-alone chapters based on his diversified forty-year career in the Philadelphia Fire Department. The Chief’s soul-bearing willingness to share his leadership shortcomings—and their specific causes—makes for a fascinating study of human failure and eventual triumph. The probing introspection questions for each of the values offers the reader a rare opportunity for honest self-reflection. The personal stories provided to reinforce understanding of each value, which are often heart-pounding tales from the fireground, lead the reader to a deeper understanding of the essential connection between personal values and true leadership. Most importantly, although offered through the perspective of life lessons acquired by crawling down burning hallways, the Chief’s leadership lessons have an across-the-board relevance for all of today’s leaders—regardless of position, occupation, or endeavor. These timeless leadership lessons offered for the reader are simultaneously educational, entertaining, and enlightening. This is not a book to be read once and then placed on a distant shelf—it provides a continuous road-map for your leadership success.

To learn more, check out the author's guest interview on the "AVERAGEJAKE FIREFIGHTER" Podcast, Episode #61.

"It's exciting to think of the future generations of potential leaders--inside and outside of the fire service--who will benefit and learn from the Chief's wisdom and great stories." - New York Book Editors

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite - 5 STARS
Matching the power, authenticity, and personal intimacy of Dale Carnegie's iconic gem elucidating great leadership (friendship) qualities and values, Gary. F. Appleby's contribution to this tremendously important subject, Leadership Values: An Introspection, is every bit as timely, perceptive, and applicable to becoming a better human being as was Carnegie's little masterpiece. In a similar "do-as-I-do, not-as-I-say" exemplary style, Appleby invites you into a very comfortable, self-assessing, non-judgmental counseling session on how to be a much better, more effective leader. With plenty of real-life examples - both supportive and cautionary - to clarify and illuminate his points, Mr. Appleby leaves no confusion whatsoever as to his meanings and suggestions.

In the place of honor among 14 specific leadership qualities discussed by Gary F. Appleby in Leadership Values, integrity reigns supreme, though integrally connected with the rest. As a powerful statement indicating his commitment to this primary quality, the author - a lifetime firefighter promoted often to higher stations of responsibility and authority - chose to self-publish his deeply thoughtful, highly intelligent book, rather than compromise his own values for the concretized whims of a market-obsessed, mainstream publisher. The consequence for the reader is a much more accessible, intimate, and interesting treatment than is likely to be found in most other self-help books. Doing this, Appleby brings honor to the role of the independent author and provides to any professional leader a major new resource more personally rewarding and interactive than lesser examples he might encounter. Proving as the author adjures, that "Staying true to your positive values is the rudder that steers you toward correct decisions." Writing Leadership Values was a powerfully correct decision.
Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite- 5 STARS                                                          If you have to read one book in leadership, then it should be Leadership Values: An Introspection - A Philadelphia Fire Chief's Forty-year Journey to Understanding and Practicing Authentic Leadership by Gary F. Appleby. Unlike many books I have read on leadership, this one stands out because it has flesh, it is written from real human experience. The author starts with a gripping story when he almost lost his life in a fire. It was a fellow firefighter who saved his life. Sharing his real-life experiences, the author offers valuable lessons on leadership values, articulating brilliantly on topics such as integrity, vision, decisiveness, self-discipline, accountability, optimism, courage, honesty, trustworthiness, pride, compassion, loyalty, humility, and enlightenment.
  This is a fascinating book and as the author shares his thoughts and insights on leadership, he allows readers to see how they played out in his own experience. The stories are eye-opening and filled with lessons, but they are also entertaining. The writing is fluid and simple and I loved how ideas are broken down into bullet points and short paragraphs that can be easily scanned. Each chapter has a series of questions for readers to think about. Gary F. Appleby has a strong message that will help readers shape the way they relate to themselves and others, understand how and where to lead others, and he passes this message across in a very effective manner. This book is simply brilliant, packed with information and insight. It is one of the most relevant books I have read on leadership and one that every leader needs to read.