We are living in an era where leadership is the buzzword of the moment. Social media is flooded with short videos from influencers offering bite-sized advice on leadership in under a minute, often ending up being more slogan soundbite rather than educational.
How refreshing, then, to have the opportunity to read a comprehensive book like The Leadership Hike. The book explores the landscape in which healthcare professionals are expected to lead.
Amar Rughani and Joanna Bircher have authored not just this book but also a companion volume (Tales from the Leadership Hikers) and a podcast series which provide insight into leadership, the current work environment in the NHS, and practical tools for shaping our leadership mindset and implementing effective strategies in our workplaces.
The Leadership Hike employs the metaphor of “hiking through a leadership journey together”, an apt choice given that both authors reside in the Peak District. Fortunately, this metaphor is not overused but rather brought to life through a well-structured and engaging format. The book is divided into six sections: examining the world as it is, understanding ourselves and our influence, working effectively in teams, setting a direction for those teams and applying quality improvement methods
The final section is a summary of the book and a moment for reflection—akin to reaching the summit of a mountain, taking a deep breath, and looking back on the journey.
Each section contains multiple chapters that follow a structured approach, outlining the key questions explored, incorporating quotes from inspirational figures, and providing case studies and diagrams to illustrate key concepts. Each chapter concludes with a summary as we metaphorically “climb over the stile.” This format is particularly effective in breaking down the vast and complex subject of leadership. Reading the book on an e-reader was especially useful, as it allowed for easy note-taking on the case studies provided. There is also a paperback provided for those who struggle with e-reading.
As a GP with experience in quality improvement (QI) and leadership, I found that while the topics were familiar, they were covered with enough depth to provide new insights while remaining accessible to those new to the subject. The balance between detail and practical application ensures that even readers with prior leadership knowledge will find the material engaging and thought-provoking, without being overwhelmed by excessive theory.
One of the standout chapters is the section on Quality Improvement, which provides one of the clearest and most comprehensive explanations I’ve ever seen of how to implement QI effectively within a GP practice. I would highly recommend this chapter to all GP registrars as an invaluable resource for understanding their mandatory QIP and QIA requirements for their portfolio.
Although written from a GP perspective, The Leadership Hike offers valuable lessons applicable to anyone working within a team. The book highlights the importance of compassionate and distributive leadership, fostering healthy communication, and setting a clear vision for a team. Those who appreciate the work of Simon Sinek or Brené Brown will find that this book translates similar leadership concepts into the NHS setting in a practical and relevant way.
That said, the book is not without its drawbacks. Covering such a vast topic means it extends to 360 pages, which may feel daunting for busy clinicians. While the authors suggest that the book can be read in sections, there is still a substantial amount of content to absorb. A more critical perspective might argue that, despite the wealth of quotes and case studies, the key takeaway remains the importance of empowering teams and ensuring they have the time and resources to implement quality improvement effectively. However, I felt that the book justified its length, thanks to its structured sections and thorough exploration of leadership theories.
That brings us to the second book, Tales from the Leadership Hikers, which serves as a companion piece and is a much shorter read, at approximately half the length of The Leadership Hike. This book consists of 14 testimonials from leaders in various areas of the NHS, including GPs, managers, nurses and pharmacists, each writer sharing their personal leadership journey. Each segment begins with a personal narrative, followed by an analysis from Rughani and Bircher, and concludes with prompts for the reader to reflect on the key themes.
These personal stories are both intimate and revealing, openly discussing individual strengths and challenges. I found them enjoyable and insightful, though reading multiple testimonials in succession can lead to some repetitiveness in the takeaways. However, one of the book’s strengths is its inclusion of podcast links for each testimonial, making it an excellent resource to engage with during a lunch break or a walk, allowing for reflection outside the work environment.
In summary, I would highly recommend both books. Tales from the Leadership Hikers frequently references relevant chapters from The Leadership Hike, making it a valuable companion read. I suggest taking your time with The Leadership Hike, using it as a resource to identify ways to bring leadership into your workplace.
Book reviewer
Dr. Sium Ghebru
Dr. Ghebru is a GP working in Leeds, with a focus in leadership, public health and education. Dr. Ghebru is currently working abroad as an NHS Global Health Fellow in partnership with the Ministry of Health in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to work on optimising their cervical cancer screening pathways.
Declaration of interests
I have read and understood the BMJ Group policy on declaration of interests and declare the following interests: None.