Strong Like Water: How I Found the Courage to Lead with Love in Business and in Life

by Laila Tarraf

Overview

Laila Tarraf was the Chief People Officer for Peet’s Coffee and Tea, the iconic Berkeley coffee roaster that launched the craft coffee movement in America, but she had a secret: she was failing in the most important relationships in her life. Yes, she was a strong and effective business leader, the successful daughter of immigrants, and the mother of a toddler; but she was also disconnected from her own feelings and had little patience for the feelings of others.

All that changed when life handed her a trifecta of losses: her husband died of an accidental drug overdose, and her parents' deaths followed in quick succession. Laila had spent her life leading from the head, convinced that any display of vulnerability would make her soft. What she didn’t expect was that soft would turn out to be strong. As she reconnected to her heart, one painful step at a time, something remarkable happened: she became a better leader, a better mother, and a better person. Her heart turned out to be the true source of her power, at home and at work.

This is a book about healing, about waking up, about learning who you are—who you really, truly are at the core—and reclaiming and embracing all the pieces of yourself you long ago abandoned in the name of survival. Women longing for balance will discover a path to infusing our leadership and relationships with love, compassion, and authenticity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647420222
Publisher:	She Writes Press
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Laila Tarraf is a senior human resource executive with more than twenty-five years of professional experience. After graduating with her MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley, she became one of the founding team members at Walmart.com. She then served as chief people officer at Peet’s Coffee and Tea, an iconic Bay Area premium coffee company. Currently, Laila is the chief people officer for AllBirds, advises entrepreneurs and investors, and guest lectures at Berkeley Law School. The author currently resides in Larkspur, California. You can find her online at www.lailatarraf.com.

Table of Contents

Prologue xv

Chapter 1 Being Right Isn't the Point 1

Chapter 2 Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit 15

Chapter 3 Less Talk, More Action 29

Chapter 4 The Dam Breaks 43

Chapter 5 Weathering the Storm 63

Chapter 6 A Particularly Tough Case 71

Chapter 7 Learning to Be Human 85

Chapter 8 Removing the Armor 101

Chapter 9 Facing the Pain 115

Chapter 10 Developing the Body of a Coach 131

Chapter 11 The Velvet Hammer 147

Chapter 12 Falling into Forgiveness 161

Chapter 13 Finding Strength in Softness 183

Epilogue 193

Editorial Reviews

2021 Best Book Awards Finalist in Self-Help: Motivational
2020 CIBA Journey Book Awards 1st Place Winner

“This humanizing narrative arc will appeal to business executives and many other readers. A readable and affecting account about learning new, more heartfelt ways to manage people.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Written with striking candor and, yes, heart, Laila Tarraf’s story speaks to those grappling with loss and searching for more meaning in work to lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.”
—Midwest Book Review

“In this riveting story, both heartbreaking and uplifting, Laila Tarraf shows that adversity didn’t break her, it awakened her and transformed her into a wise, compassionate leader who manages with strength and tenderness, not having to deny the latter to achieve the former.”
—Carter Cast, Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at Kellogg School of Business, former CEO of Walmart.com, and author of The Right (and Wrong) Stuff

“A deeply insightful book about business and leadership disguised as a devastating memoir about loss and love.”
—Jennie Nash, author, founder and CEO of Author Accelerator

“The power of Laila's memoir comes through in her illumination of the trap of hiding in plain sight. When our day-to-day professional lives blind us to who we really are, no one else can see us either. The gift in these pages is that when you see yourself, others will too.”
—Dan Roam, author of The Back of the Napkin and Draw to Win

“It’s time for women to know that their true power is in their ability to embrace their femininity. Faced with brutal circumstances, Laila Tarraf shows us how she learned to do just that. I’m a great fan of this book, its author, and its message.”
—Laura Munson, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Haven Writing Retreats

“Strong Like Water highlights a simple truth: we already are spiritual—it’s human we’re learning how to be.”
—Jacquelyn Small, author of The Sacred Purpose of Being Human

“Laila brings forth a compelling memoir that breaks your heart into a million bits and has you cheering at the top of your lungs with her story of love, loss, and renewal in today’s world. An amazing first-time debut for an author who brings her personal awakenings to the world of business and leadership. Every page is a precious gift.”
—Shernaz Daver, Executive Advisor, Google Ventures (GV)

“This is a book that EVERY leader needs to read—and that is destined to become a can’t-put-it-down classic. Strong Like Water casts light on one of the most critical, core workplace questions through a unique and compelling personal narrative. With honesty and insight about her own experiences, Tarraf manages to define head-and-heart leadership and demonstrate exactly what it means to ‘bring your whole self to work.’ Whether you’re just starting your career or leading a large team, in any field or function, Strong Like Water points the way to authentic, sustainable success.”
—Daisy Dowling, former Global Head of Talent Development, The Blackstone Group, and author of Workparent: The Complete Guide to Succeeding on the Job, Staying True to Yourself, and Raising Happy Kids

“Strong Like Water illustrates the superpowers of one amazing working mother! Laila shares her highlights, struggles, and wisdom in a manner that is accessible, honest, and relatable. You’ll gain perspective through her personal and professional perils of wisdom and thoughts on work/life balance. Her compassionate and conversational style entices you to flip to the next chapter quickly!”
—Tenny Frost, Executive Director, Development & Alumni Relations, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Laila Tarraf has written a beautiful, sometimes tragic, and ultimately compelling call to the kind of leadership that sustains yourself as well as others.”
—Peggy Northrop, CEO of Watermark and former editor-in-chief of Sunset, Reader’s Digest, and More

“Laila Tarraf offers a brave account of how to lead with love through heartbreaks and successes and ultimately (after a lot of work) land in a place that is honest, integrated, and powerful. I have read countless leadership books, which usually have to be digested in small bites over weeks. I read this one in two sittings over three days. It is soul food for anyone who believes in the power of love and compassionate leadership.”
—Laurel Donnellan, founder and CEO of Compassionate Leader’s Circle

“I love this book. Laila’s story is powerful and the way she tells it is so moving . . . I cried about five or six times as I was reading the book. I could not put it down and learned a lot about myself, healing from grief, having the courage to be vulnerable, and bringing my whole self to work. Thank you for writing this important book and for your willingness to share your story, Laila! I highly recommend this book.”
—Mike Robbins, leadership expert, speaker, and author

From the Publisher