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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Lead from the Outside summary
Stacey Abrams
How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change
25 mins
Brief summary
'Lead from the Outside' by Stacey Abrams is a political memoir that explores how to succeed as a minority in American politics through authenticity and resilience. It provides insights on how to overcome obstacles to make a difference.
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Lead from the Outside
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
If you’re starting from the outside, the first step on the path to leadership is embracing ambition.
When the Rhodes Scholarship committee in Jackson, Mississippi asked applicant Stacey Abrams how the award would change her life, she froze for a second. Abrams, who’d just graduated from Spelman College, hadn’t actually thought it through. In fact, she almost didn’t apply, despite her professors’ urging. She knew that if she applied for the prestigious award, she didn’t want to lose – and she was sure she wouldn’t win. A Black woman hadn’t ever secured the Mississippi nomination before.
It was the dean of her college who ultimately convinced her to apply, saying she was almost guaranteed to win if she got past Mississippi. And get past Mississippi she did; she was selected to advance to the finals a few weeks later.
Ultimately, she didn’t win the scholarship. But it was a defining moment for Abrams because she summoned the courage to try. She realized that she could widen the scope of her aspirations – leading her to eventually attend Yale Law School, the most exclusive law school in the country, which would set the course of her career.
The key message here is: If you’re starting from the outside, the first step on the path to leadership is embracing ambition.
As Abrams discovered, ambition means permitting yourself to stretch beyond what feels safe. Her advice for women, minorities, and anyone who’s been historically denied power is to locate your ambition. Ask yourself: What do I want?
Abrams first did this during her freshman year of college, reeling from a painful breakup and sitting in the computer lab. In a haze of indignation and introspection, she decided to redirect her energy toward her professional life. Abrams urgently typed her goals for the next 40 years into a spreadsheet. This spreadsheet helped her to visualize success and experience what it was like to want things for herself. And it’s something that Abrams still uses today.
Once you’ve figured out your ambition, consider why you want it and how you’ll get there. Organize your plans around why, not what, and be willing to change course. One of the items on Abrams’s spreadsheet was to be the mayor of Atlanta by the age of 35. But she ultimately realized that she was too focused on the job title and that her vision – to serve communities ravaged by racism and poverty – stretched well beyond Atlanta.
We tend to map our goals based on the likelihood of success rather than our passion. But passion is what helps us go from goal setting to taking action. To identify your ambition, write down five things – and it can be anything – that you would choose to do for the rest of your life.
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What is Lead from the Outside about?
Lead from the Outside (2018) is a handbook for outsiders who are seeking a seat at the table. Stacey Abrams outlines how the underrepresented and disenfranchised can harness their ambition and ingenuity to gain power, offering advice on money matters, overcoming fear, and hacking the system.
Lead from the Outside Review
Lead from the Outside (2018) by Stacey Abrams is a book that empowers marginalized voices to overcome obstacles and create change. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers practical strategies for individuals from diverse backgrounds to navigate and succeed in traditionally exclusive spaces.
- With personal stories and insights, it sheds light on the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and provides tools for activism and leadership.
- The book encourages readers to embrace their unique experiences and perspectives, inspiring a sense of empowerment to make a difference in the world.
Best quote from Lead from the Outside
Navigating power is difficult enough without adding the dimensions of otherness into the mix, but thats our reality.
—Stacey Abrams
Who should read Lead from the Outside?
- Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ folks, and anyone who’s been historically denied leadership roles
- People interested in American society and politics
- Anyone who wants to make a difference
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Lead from the Outside FAQs
What is the main message of Lead from the Outside?
The main message of Lead from the Outside is that true leadership requires embracing unique perspectives and pushing for inclusive change.
How long does it take to read Lead from the Outside?
The reading time for Lead from the Outside varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Lead from the Outside a good book? Is it worth reading?
Lead from the Outside is a valuable read for anyone interested in leadership and social justice. It provides practical insights and empowering stories to inspire change.
Who is the author of Lead from the Outside?
The author of Lead from the Outside is Stacey Abrams.
What to read after Lead from the Outside?
If you're wondering what to read next after Lead from the Outside, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Beginners by Tom Vanderbilt
- The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety by Timothy R. Clark
- Own Your Greatness by Lisa Orbé-Austin & Richard Orbé-Austin
- Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye Archambeau
- The Imposter Cure by Dr. Jessamy Hibberd
- Electra by Sophocles
- High-Impact Tools for Teams by Stefano Mastrogiacomo and Alexander Osterwalder
- Outlive by Peter Attia
- The 3-Minute Rule by Brant Pinvidic
- Teams That Work by Scott Tannenbaum and Eduardo Salas