Leading Quietly: An Unorthodox Guide to Doing the Right Thing

Most of us think of leaders as courageous risk takers, orchestrators of major events. In a word: heroes. Although such figures are inspiring, their larger-than-life accomplishments are not what makes the world work.

Instead, it is the sum of millions of small yet consequential decisions that individuals working far from the limelight make every day. Badaracco calls these individuals "quiet leaders"- people who choose responsible, behind-the-scenes action over public...