The Izzy Way Book Club
I picked up Leaders Eat Last because I wanted to understand why people actually choose to follow confident leaders. Not just because of titles, results, or prominent personalities — but because they genuinely want to. This book focuses on trust, safety, and the human side of leadership — the environment people work in every single day.
What stood out right away is how clearly Sinek connects leadership to how our bodies and brains react. He talks about stress, reward, connection, and fear in simple terms and ties them directly to the way we treat each other at work. It’s hard to ignore the impact when you think about how people actually feel in their jobs.
The biggest message for me was this: leadership isn’t about being in charge — it’s about caring for the people you’re responsible for. When leaders create environments where people feel trusted and safe, performance tends to follow. When they don’t, people protect themselves instead of the mission.
The “Circle of Safety” concept really landed. The idea that great leaders shield their teams from unnecessary internal pressure so people can focus on doing great work — not on watching their backs — made me think about how much stress comes from culture, not the work itself.
Another theme that stuck with me was service-based leadership. The title says it all — real leaders make sure their people are taken care of first. The examples in the book reinforce a simple truth: people commit to leaders who commit to them.
Since reading it, I find myself paying more attention to the environment around me. I ask myself: Do people feel safe speaking honestly? Am I building trust, or accidentally adding pressure? How can I support people when things get difficult?
Those questions have shifted how I think about leadership and accountability.
5 takeaways I’m actually using
- Create a Circle of Safety.
People do their best work when they’re not afraid. - Leadership is service.
Your job is to take care of your people, not the other way around. - Trust fuels performance.
Fear might drive short-term results, but trust sustains them. - Culture is built daily.
What you model and tolerate becomes “how we do things here.” - People first, results second.
When people feel valued, results tend to take care of themselves.
Leaders Eat Last isn’t a quick fix or a checklist. It’s a reminder that leadership is ultimately about humans — and the responsibility that comes with being someone others choose to follow.
While not one of my favourite leadership books, it certainly offered me food for thought and a few takeaways.
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