Harper, CEO of the leadership development company Driven to Succeed, covers the “what” and “how” of successful business leadership in her helpful debut. Using case studies based on her experience working for such companies as Proctor & Gamble, Hershey’s, and Coca Cola, she covers 12 skills one needs to be a successful leader—social awareness, emotional self-control, positive outlook, adaptability, and conflict management, among others. Her advice is organized into 52 leadership and emotional intelligence insights and includes tips on how to “control the controllable,” “prosper where you’re planted,” and “extend grace.” She also covers navigating office politics and personalities, getting along with one’s boss, establishing a 90-day plan for starting a new job or taking on a new role, the importance of self-management, and how to deal with disappointment. For instance, in order to “cultivate influence” within one’s office, she recommends developing and pitching plans, soliciting feedback, and using the information to align the interests of others within the office. Useful tables, lists, and practice scripts round things out. This action-oriented guide will be useful to anyone looking to climb the corporate ladder.

Publishers Weekly

[Harper] describes and analyzes the skills needed to be a successful manager using emotional intelligence.The four domains of emotional intelligence are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.... In addition to using emotional intelligence competencies and case studies to illustrate them, she includes a quick reference guide to 52 insights across 12 emotional intelligence competencies among which are know thyself, forgive frequently, experience is the best teacher, leadership can be lonely, be patient for growth, act confident when you feel confident, try to make your manager look good, and extend grace. .... This informative, detailed guide to using emotional intelligence on the job is tailored to those in midcareer, seeking careers in business, or wishing to learn more about emotional intelligence. Business administration students could use this as supplemental reading for management courses.

Library Journal

[Harper shares] her well-earned wisdom, pragmatic tools and keen insight about leadership and emotional intelligence. Comprised of insider career-building secrets Harper has garnered while leading some of the world’s most iconic brands . . . this book is for high-achievers who intend to keep climbing the ladder of success.

The Network Journal

At the heart of a leader are traits like speed, grit and getting lost in the team. This quick, practical read is a great reminder about these habits that serve us well as leaders.

Mike Kaufmann, CEO, Cardinal Health

A must read! You will undoubtedly consult these pearls of wisdom innumerable times in your career. Kristin unlocks the secrets that will empower and transform every professional from interns to mid-level managers to executives. I’ve personally witnessed Kristin model these strategies and embody this philosophy. Prepare for next level success with this treasure!

Tramayne Whitney, HR Executive, Google

The Heart of a Leader is a concise pocket-guide reference for navigating the career ecosystem. The author has successfully created a toolkit to support leaders through the trenches of professional development.

Ariana Martin, D.O., Co-author of "Her story; Heartache, Happiness, and Hiccups Along the Way"