Why Now Is the Right Time to Publish a Leadership Book

Uncertainty has become the norm and leaders across industries are looking for guidance. That’s why now’s the time to publish a leadership book.

The advent of AI, the rise of remote work, changing laws, and shifting geopolitics have made it difficult for leaders to plan for the future of their companies and organizations while continuing to guide their teams in the present. At the same time, our increasingly digital world has made authentic connection, in-person interaction, and meaningful communication less common.

Now more than ever, writing—whether through books, newsletters, emails, mission statements, or external communications—is how leaders can offer clarity and solutions for the challenges faced today. Leaders with hard-earned insight into how to navigate these times should consider writing a book to connect with others, share wisdom, build community, and spark new ideas.

While leading in uncertain times is challenging, it is also an opportunity. Publishing a nonfiction book is a way for leaders to differentiate themselves, reach across industries, and offer guidance through this volatile era. Those who can share real solutions gleaned from years of leadership experience will stand out from the pack.

Reemphasize Your Mission

Instead of trying to predict what comes next, leaders should turn to the foundations their organizations were built on. A company’s mission, vision, and values—typically established at its founding—are guiding principles that may serve as a great source of inspiration for leaders during periods of uncertainty.

Writing a leadership book can help decision-makers reassert or redefine their organizations’ core missions. Open letters, companywide emails, blog posts, and newsletters are all effective tools for leaders and institutions to reaffirm their values to the communities they serve.

Now is a time for leaders to ask and answer these questions: what is our mission? How do we continue to serve our loyal clientele without abandoning our core principles? What values cannot be compromised even during difficult times?

Consider Airbnb. Two years before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the global travel industry, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky penned an open letter outlining the decision to adopt a stakeholder model, which meant embracing the company’s core value of community and striving to be a force for positive change. Stakeholders include employees, shareholders, hosts, and guests.

When faced with the test of the pandemic, this value became a touchstone. In March 2020, the company received 50,000 reservation inquiries in a single day. In response to this unprecedented number of requests, Airbnb updated their cancellation policy to allow travellers to receive full refunds for trips impacted by the pandemic shutdowns. A $250 million fund was set aside to compensate hosts for a percentage of earnings lost as a result of the disruptions. In line with their core value of community, the company also waived fees on up to 100,000 stays for frontline healthcare workers. What might have seemed like a doomsday event for Airbnb was parlayed by leadership into the perfect opportunity to showcase their company’s values.

Without the open letter, Airbnb would not have had a map for how to handle the uncertainty of the pandemic or culturally set the tone for their employees. The lesson: writing from a place of clarity before challenges arise helps to remind leaders what their missions are.

Build Thought Leadership

Writing is one of the most direct ways to establish thought leadership. During these uncertain times, people are looking for answers that can only be told from the perspective of leaders with years of hard-earned experience—not AI-generated content.

Leaders can share their expertise through writing. Consider starting a newsletter or blog. Platforms like Substack, Patreon, and Medium have made publishing easily accessible. Social platforms like Threads, Bluesky, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook also offer additional ways to engage with and grow an audience. There have never been so many ways for leaders to tell their stories.

The traditional publishing route is also an option for those looking to put their writing out into the world in the form of a thought leadership book. Small presses, independent publishers, and the Big Five publishing houses continue to seek authentic and engaging voices. Consider pitching op-eds to newspapers, magazines, or online publications. Hybrid publishers and self-publishing also provide ample opportunity.

 The world always looks first to leaders for their invaluable perspectives, and writing is the way for leaders to reach and resonate with their audiences.

Writing as Problem-Solving

While navigating murky waters, leaders can clarify their thoughts by writing. Studies have shown that writing increases critical thinking skills.

Some leaders might get distracted when confronted by uncertainty, but this is not the moment to react to external factors which leadership, teams, and organizations have no control over. Difficult times call for creativity and adaptability.

When challenges arise, writing is a tool that can help leaders adapt, work through problems, and respond with purpose.

Join the Conversation and Affirm Your Brand

Follow in the footsteps of many C-Suite executives by writing and publishing a book about leadership. Experienced leaders like Horward Schulz and Peter Thiel established their brands through publishing. Their respective CEO books, Onward and Zero to One, brought their leadership skills to the forefront of American consciousness.

Other examples of productive leadership writing include The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and The Startup of You by Reid Hoffman.

By writing and publishing a nonfiction book about leadership, you can elevate your brand.

Stand Out Without AI

Don’t outsource your voice.

Artificial intelligence is being used in virtually every industry from STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to more creative fields like graphic arts and interior design. This increasing automation is leading people to seek human connection. Your brand of leadership will stand out when you use your own voice in business book–writing.

To develop that voice, start small by penning internal communications like memos and emails, or external communications like newsletters and blog posts. Eventually, you might even work your way up to a nonfiction book.

Conclusion

Our current era of uncertainty is an opportunity for leaders to hone their voice, showcase their leadership skills, and connect with their employees, clients, and beyond. Through writing and communication leaders can refine their expertise, reaffirm their company’s mission, and build thought leadership.

Leaders, too, are looking for guidance—and this makes it the perfect time to write a book and share your own unique expertise and experience. Flatpage is currently seeking proposals for nonfiction books written by leaders across industries. Learn more here.