The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems
28 August 2025Synopsis
'Clear, compassionate and immediately useful . . . A powerful and timely resource for leaders at every level' Dr Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of Triggers
'Reading Katie Best’s book is like having a no-nonsense leadership coach whisper sanity-saving advice in your ear, minus the hefty invoice . . . This is the practical handbook that will help you actually figure it out' Adrian Gostick, New York Times bestselling author of All In and Leading with Gratitude
Drawing on decades of in-the-field research and consultancy work, renowned leadership consultant Dr Katie Best shows how to solve ten of the most common – and complex – leadership problems.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders often face challenges that can overwhelm the most seasoned professionals. While executive coaching can offer powerful results, it isn’t always accessible when needed. That’s when leaders can turn to Dr Katie Best.
In this book, Best works through ten of the trickiest and most common leadership challenges:
- Avoiding burn-out
- Making good decisions
- Increasing influence
- Working through cultural issues
- Improving employee performance
- Engaging staff
- Managing teams
- Implementing strategy
- Leading change
- Handling the reality of hybrid working
Drawing on leading research and the real-world experiences of her clients, Best’s SOLVE framework helps leaders find a solution that fits their unique needs and gives them the tools to tackle any other problems they might encounter going forwards.
Practical and engaging, The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems: And How to Solve Them is an essential self-coaching handbook for leaders at any level.
'An accessible, practical and vital resource for solving the kinds of sticky problems that all leaders face. Once you read it, you’ll be equipped to face any situation with thoughtfulness, skill and grace' Peter Bregman, #1 Executive Coach and bestselling author of 18 Minutes and Leading with Emotional Courage
Details
28 August 2025
9781035082223Reviews
Dr Katie Best has written the kind of leadership book every leader wishes they had sooner—clear, compassionate and immediately useful. The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems doesn’t just diagnose the challenges leaders face—it guides them through them, step by step. Whether you're in a high-stakes boardroom or navigating everyday team dynamics, this book offers smart, grounded strategies to move forward. A powerful and timely resource for leaders at every levelDr Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Reading Katie Best’s book is like having a no-nonsense leadership coach whisper sanity-saving advice in your ear, minus the hefty invoice. The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems doesn’t sugarcoat the messiness of leading today. If you’ve ever wanted to yell, ‘Why is this so hard?!’—this is the practical handbook that will help you actually figure it outAdrian Gostick, New York Times bestselling author of All In and Leading with Gratitude
Katie Best's The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems is an invaluable tool that belongs in every leader's kit. A 'pocket leadership coach’, it's an accessible, practical and vital resource for solving the kinds of sticky problems that all leaders face. Once you read it, you’ll be equipped to face any situation with thoughtfulness, skill and gracePeter Bregman, #1 Executive Coach and bestselling author of 18 Minutes and Leading with Emotional Courage
When Katie teaches our students at LSE, they appreciate her ability to provide insights grounded in research and evidence. Her book reflects that evidence-based, practical approach, enhanced by her extensive experience as a coach. The many examples and depth of advice make this book an important reference tool for any leader.
Professor Connson Locke, author of Making Your Voice Heard and Professor of Management, LSE
This book is a valuable one-stop shop that contains Katie’s evidence-based tips on how to handle big leadership problems. Each chapter goes deep into a complex issue, including contemporary topics such as hybrid and remote working, using her SOLVE framework as a structure. This makes it easy to read and use. Keep this by your desk as a reference tool for when you face those tough leadership problems
