A collection of fictive stories

Leadership is a behaviour, not a title.

Lead Not Manage collects five stories that challenge the comfort zone – some previously published, some brand new – unified by one servant leadership mindset that supports teams, clients and the community.

Buy the book Five stories on servant leadership

Prefer a signed paperback? Sydney pickup · within Australia · worldwide
Also available on Amazon and as an audiobook on Spotify.

Connect & Act Media, 2024. Paperback ISBN 978-1-7638207-0-8, eBook ISBN 978-1-7638207-1-5

Book Overview

A collection of stories, not another leadership textbook

Compared to my earlier books, this one is a collection of stories – some previously published as contributions in other anthologies, given a new home together, alongside two new stories that hadn’t seen the light of day yet.

Some chapters are fiction inspired by real situations, including Daniel’s journey from accidental manager to intentional leader. Others describe my own experience, including From Laid Off to Paid Off, the story of our move to Australia.

I’ve been a proud member of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) since well before this book existed – one story was even inspired by a case study I wrote for their Leading Well book.

Inside the book

Five stories, one comfort zone to challenge

Each chapter stands on its own – a mix of lived experience and fiction inspired by real situations, unified by one servant leadership mindset.

Lead Not Manage

Daniel’s journey from accidental manager to intentional leader.

Featured in Leaders of Influence, 2018

From Laid Off to Paid Off

Our move to Australia, and what a layoff taught me about starting over.

Featured in Lessons I Learnt, 2019

Pleasure to Profit

Turning what you love into work that pays – without losing what you love about it.

New story

Curiosity Wins the Pitch

Why the best salespeople ask more questions than they answer.

New story

Beyond the Comfort Zone

What it takes to step outside what’s safe, and grow.

Published as “Transformations” in Think Bigger, Grow & Succeed, 2023

Read them in order for the full arc, or jump to the one chapter that matches where you are right now.

From the book

“Leadership is not a title. It’s a behaviour. Live it.”

— Robin Sharma, opening line of Chapter 1

Reader reviews

What people are saying

“Gunnar is an enthusiastic advocate for building supportive cultures that provide individuals with the opportunity for career and professional development, while also allowing corporate and business outcomes to be achieved.”

Paola Tesolin AAICD · Relationship Partner, Australian Institute of Company Directors

“Gunnar was not only my manager, but also my coach and mentor. It was a pleasure learning from such experienced professional with deep knowledge of IT business and retail in particular.”

Petr Danes · Gunnar’s first graduate hire at HP in Czech Republic, now an established leader

What you get

A book you can dip into anytime

Five stories across one servant leadership mindset. Read them in order for the full arc, or jump straight to the chapter that matches where you are right now.

The book

Lead Not Manage

Five stories that challenge the comfort zone – some previously published, some brand new – unified by one servant leadership mindset.

Format

Five standalone stories

A mix of lived experience and fiction inspired by real situations. Each chapter stands on its own.

Foundations

Anthology roots

Three stories began as contributions to Leaders of Influence, Lessons I Learnt and Think Bigger, Grow & Succeed before finding a home here.

Also available

Audiobook on Spotify

Prefer to listen? The full book is narrated and available now as an audiobook on Spotify.

This book is for you if…

You’ve just been promoted to lead without formal training
You want to lead with a servant leadership mindset
You’re navigating a layoff or career transition
You want practical stories, not another leadership textbook
You support teams, clients or your community
You’re curious how curiosity itself can win the pitch
You want stories you can act on today

Yes, tell me more

The launch

Leaders of Influence launch in Melbourne

The story that became Lead Not Manage first appeared in Leaders of Influence – Six Australian Leaders Share Their Secrets. This is the Melbourne launch, where the six contributing authors and their community celebrated the book together.

Leaders of Influence book launch in Melbourne

Audiobook · Out now

Prefer to listen?

Lead Not Manage is available now as an audiobook on Spotify.

Listen on Spotify

The Social Selling Series

Four books, one author

Lead Not Manage sits alongside three companions that take the same practical, story-driven approach to LinkedIn, Social Selling and your career.

You are here

Fictive stories bringing leadership and Social Selling together

Companion

A practical guide for selling professionals

Companion

A practical guide for career changers

Companion

A practical guide for founders

About the author

Gunnar Habitz

Gunnar Habitz moved to Australia in 2016 after a layoff from his corporate career in Switzerland, spanning consulting, product marketing, business development and sales management across Europe. By the time his first leadership story was published in 2018, he was already a proud member of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) – a membership he still holds today.

He holds an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management from the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Chartered Manager designation from IML, where he continues to mentor the next generation of leaders through Leading Well masterclasses on the shift from accidental manager to intentional leader.

Today he manages agency partnerships across Asia Pacific at ActiveCampaign, and serves as a Board Director at Sydney’s historic Castlereagh Boutique Hotel. Lead Not Manage is his latest book, alongside Connect & Act and Social Selling for Jobseekers.

Check my website

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Ready to challenge your comfort zone?

Stop managing by title. Start leading with a servant mindset that supports your team, your clients and your community – one story at a time.

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