WHY DO SO MANY EMERGING LEADERS FIND IT SO DIFFICULT TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION FROM MANAGER TO LEADER? …AND THEN WHEN THEY DO, THEY FAIL. Many aspiring and emerging leaders with ambitions to move seamlessly from their current role into more senior leadership positions often face what seems like an invisible barrier preventing further progress. It appears that no matter how well they perform or how hard they try to get their managers’ attention, they are still overlooked. And those who do have their attention and make it through to leadership roles quickly find out that the challenges do not end with a title change; they start. Previous successes and having a leadership title count for very little if not accompanied by almost immediate success. In fact, statistics show that most fail to make the transition. So how do emerging and new leaders succeed when the typical twin pillars of leadership development, experience and training fail them? The author addresses the issue through what he considers the more appropriate question - ‘how do leaders become effective leaders?’ The Wobbly Stool offers a unique approach to leadership development by introducing a third pillar: personal growth through values. Drawing on the author’s own experience, the book invites readers to embark on a real-life journey, exploring the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of leadership as seen through the lens of personal values. The narrative is rich with stories, unexpected twists, and recurring characters, designed to encourage readers to reflect on their own journeys. To guide aspiring and emerging leaders, the book introduces a five-step leadership framework. This framework encourages individuals to begin their values-led leadership journey early, laying the groundwork to become an effective and successful leader. Now retired, Ged Silva was a senior executive in a renowned global engineering, construction and project management company. As a Principal Vice President, Ged held a variety of senior management and executive leadership roles, including positions in functional management, as head of marketing and strategy and as a general manager in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. His extensive experience spanned over 30 years in the Oil and Gas, Mining and Metals and Infrastructure industries. His book is simply a continuation of his long-held passion for developing others.