Choosing to Lead: Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

With hundreds of books available on the topic of leadership, why read another one? For those with the aspiration to become the best leader they can be, you will find this book rich with meaning. Written not as a memoir or biography, but rather a collection of thoughts and experiences, Choosing to Lead is the journaled expedition of Harvey Kanter’s pursuit to lead and create meaning. He offers an authentic glimpse into his development as an executive leader and offers an insightful, transparent, and often humorous reflection of his personal leadership journey and the lessons he has learned.Find out why so many CEOs were willing to lend their endorsement to Choosing to Lead. Harvey Kanter has experienced many diverse leadership styles and approaches during his long career serving dynamic, innovative, experiential companies. In Choosing to Lead, Harvey draws from these rich experiences spanning his most recent role as CEO of Destination XL Group, through his tenure as CEO of Blue Nile®, CEO of Moosejaw®, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Michaels®, and as President of Aaron Brothers® Art & Framing. He is forthright about his earlier years spent as part of the senior leadership team of learning the retail ropes for eight years at Carter Hawley Hale, all the way back to his college internship working for Target® Stores.Armed with insatiable curiosity, optimism, tenacity, and an appetite for adventure, Harvey has navigated many challenges—including a battle with cancer. During his time with Eddie Bauer®, he was given the incredible opportunity to attend Seattle University’s Center for Leadership—attending this university’s graduate program made for an unlikely match but was an immensely powerful experience. While there, Harvey’s definition for accomplishment was turned upside down, and his perspective of leadership forever changed. He has come to see that the function of a leader is to guide and counsel, to instill confidence and enthusiasm, to create momentum and inspiration for others in their desire to be the best—not your definition of best, but theirs—they can be.This is not meant to be a “How To” book to follow, but more a reflection of “How I Have” and the insights gained along the way. In his constant dedication to improvement, Harvey has enjoyed the rich benefits of that intentional development in his career, his marriage and family life, through meaningful relationships, and in serving his community. Choosing to Lead chronicles areas which Harvey has explored in-depth as he candidly shares what he has learned about SETBACKS, COMMUNICATION, OPTIMISM, VALUES, RE-FRAMING, ACCOMPLISHMENT, CURIOSITY, HUMILITY, TENACITY, DIVERSITY, ADVENTURE, DECISIVENESS, TEAMWORK, and LEGACY.