Lead Anyway
The Glow-Up Guide to Leadership That's Real, Not Perfect
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Pub Date 10 Nov 2026 | Archive Date Not set
Amplify Publishing | Amplify
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Description
THIS ISN’T A “HOW TO LEAD LIKE A CEO” BOOK. It’s a “how to lead when your kid’s lunch isn’t made and you’re still wearing yesterday’s mascara” book.
Lead Anyway: The Glow-Up Guide to Leadership That’s Real, Not Perfect is for every woman who has ever doubted she was a leader and still showed up. It’s a mix of real stories, hard truths, and the kind of pep talks you’d get from your smartest, funniest friend who says the things we are all thinking.
Dr. Lauren Young pulls back the curtain on what leadership actually looks like: messy, brave, and exhausting, but those who are committed to it keep showing up.
Because you don’t need another guru or serum. You need a reminder that you can glow up and screw up—and still be a darn good leader.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to lead anyway.
Advance Praise
“Education-based athletics are one of the most important leadership laboratories in our schools, and Lead Anyway is a powerful reminder of the role sport plays in building confidence, resilience, and authentic leadership. Dr. Lauren Young captures with clarity and heart how young people grow not only as athletes but as leaders prepared for life.”
—MARK KOSKI, CMAA, chief marketing officer of National Federation of High School Associations
“Dr. Lauren Young leads the way she writes—with courage, wit, and unapologetic authenticity. Fearless, fiercely funny, and refreshingly real, she reminds us that leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, speaking up, and leading anyway. This book will light the path for generations of people who are ready to lead.”
—CJ FOSS, retired high school principal
“Lead Anyway is an honest, relatable (and witty) look at how confidence is built through action. Lauren Young speaks to the next generation of women, teaching them to trust their instincts, grow through action, and lead with authenticity.”
—ANALISSE RÍOS, head strength and conditioning coach for the Connecticut Sun (WNBA)
“Dr. Lauren Young saw something in me and gave me a chance by hiring me as an elementary school counselor. I’m now finishing my seventh year in education. She is everything we need a leader to be: authentic, courageous, witty, and kind. We can all learn from her.”
—JILL M. EVERETT, MA, LCMHC, EdD
“Lead Anyway is the kind of leadership book we actually need right now—honest, unfiltered, and deeply human. Dr. Lauren Young captures what it truly means to lead in the real world: tired, uncertain, and showing up anyway. This isn’t about perfection or polished titles—it’s about courage, authenticity, and learning to take up space in systems that weren’t built for you.”
—ORLA WALSH, BSN, RN, CFRN, NRP, Division I athlete, professional obstacle course racer
“Quite simply, I needed this book. For women like me, who are trying to rise up in an industry dominated by false bravado, Lead Anyway reminded me that vulnerable authenticity, messy bravery, and honest effort can in fact lead to, and maybe even redefine, real success.”
—ELISE CALLAS, SVP of Production Film & TV, Atlas Entertainment
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9798900260679 |
| PRICE | $32.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 312 |