THE SIXTH LEVEL

Feiner, Overbeke, Harris, and Andreasson present a compelling guide to compassionate leadership and living an interconnected life.

Traditional leadership culture, per the authors, has stressed power, profit, and competition. While this approach can yield short-term gains, such success comes at a high price for companies and individuals alike; as teams fight and fragment, underrepresented voices go unheard and employees are reduced to cogs in a corporate machine. The co-authors argue that these toxic cultures have been shaped by aggressively masculine values and winner-take-all dynamics that undervalue empathetic outlooks. Citing qualitative and quantitative research, they demonstrate that empathetic and human-centric leadership empowers collective growth, fosters happier teams, inspires corporate innovation, and increases bottom lines. (“These leaders have achieved profitability and sustainability by fostering relational cultures.”) Despite deriving the idea of “Sixth Level Leadership” from the five ascending levels of U.S. psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the co-authors argue that self-actualization (Maslow’s top tier) is insufficient for lasting satisfaction; instead, they propose a higher form of realization called “Self-in-Relation,” asserting that interconnectedness is the ultimate form of fulfillment. The work’s tone is affirming throughout; the co-authors observe that limiting gender beliefs impedes the fulfillment of men and women equally. Highly analytical and drawing heavily from the fields of psychology and the social sciences, the work may feel more academic than many mainstream leadership books, although the presence of real-world examples, summarizing sections, and reflection questions will help readers of different backgrounds absorb and apply the information. By prioritizing a culture of respect, resilience, and love, the co-authors show that it is possible to create an inclusive leadership ideal that empowers all people to succeed.

Insightful, engaging, and inspiring.