Reviews
Zina and Patrick’s work has been reviewed by scholars, critics, media, and practitioners across the world. Their unorthodox but effective approach to leadership has captured the hearts and minds of many.
“Zina Sutch and Patrick Malone’s new book has a title similar to the structural capacities of a position paper. The articulatory abilities of Leading with Love and Laughter: Letting Go and Getting Real at Work perfectly encapsulates and summarizes what Sutch and Malone’s book is about, almost akin to the succinctness of a really good thesis statement. While the actual concepts themselves Sutch and Malone write about are something inherent to a growing sociopolitical trend, it’s the approach they take with the descriptions that differentiates Leading with Love and Laughter from the considerable nature of identifiable peers. Sutch and Malone never flinch from material that has proven incendiary for prior generations.
For example, the concept of imbuing a workspace with elements ensuring the intensive emotional safety of its employees is not something the duo wrap in soullessly worded, bait-and-switch analogical prose. They simply come out and say it. This only serves to further compliment what they promote – a safe and inclusive workspace ensures long-term and fluid success for the enterprise as a whole. “When leaders begin with a foundation of authentic love for self, it is much easier to share love with others,” they write in a standout chapter. “Leaders like this are the real deal…Because they were their true selves, they were able to impact those they led and all of those around them. They led with love. You could too.”
For example, the concept of imbuing a workspace with elements ensuring the intensive emotional safety of its employees is not something the duo wrap in soullessly worded, bait-and-switch analogical prose. They simply come out and say it. This only serves to further compliment what they promote – a safe and inclusive workspace ensures long-term and fluid success for the enterprise as a whole. “When leaders begin with a foundation of authentic love for self, it is much easier to share love with others,” they write in a standout chapter. “Leaders like this are the real deal…Because they were their true selves, they were able to impact those they led and all of those around them. They led with love. You could too.”
“Zina Sutch and Patrick Malone make for an interesting pair, literarily speaking. Their new book is, Leading with Love and Laughter: Letting Go and Getting Real at Work. If its title isn’t indicative of the approach they take in elaborating on their specified brand of concepts and leadership approach, I don’t know what is. Being somewhat of a traditionalist in how I view industry, I was initially a bit skeptical picking up a book with such a distinctly emotive tonality. It didn’t seem entirely fitting, nor proper given my penchant for probably outdated, semi-old-fashioned views of how to articulate the fast pace that is the (professional) rat race. The corporate jungle to me has always been representative of cold, gleaming steel, tall buildings, getting ahead without (legitimately) stomping on too many exposed throats, and all-in-all maintaining a clear barrier between my intrinsic humanity pertinent to my personal life with the coolness that comes with keeping my job.
But these two managed to win me over.
Job well done, if you ask me. I’d be curious to see more of their work, and would like to continue following their new exploits. Whatever imperfections you could argue still permeate small aspects of the read are easily redeemed by actual, genuine insights and a strong sense of inherent positivity. It’s a nice thing to see and read in a nonfiction sub-genre often dominated by decidedly cold and flinty presentational qualities. All in all, a solid achievement and guide to the new.”
But these two managed to win me over.
Job well done, if you ask me. I’d be curious to see more of their work, and would like to continue following their new exploits. Whatever imperfections you could argue still permeate small aspects of the read are easily redeemed by actual, genuine insights and a strong sense of inherent positivity. It’s a nice thing to see and read in a nonfiction sub-genre often dominated by decidedly cold and flinty presentational qualities. All in all, a solid achievement and guide to the new.”
“Zina Sutch and Patrick Malone’s new book is something that you don’t initially know what to expect from, but quickly turns out to be something you didn’t know you needed. The book is equal parts leadership advice guide, inspirational read, and interactive reading experience. The concepts it promotes, while arguably to be applied within a distinctly corporate framework, can also be carried out to fruition within one’s personal life. In essence, the book is the duo’s literary argument for leading one’s life and those around one’s self with a sense of joy, optimism, and enthusiasm. Nurture no longer bears the kind of flippant, shall we say ‘snowflake’ qualities the old guards of industry once tried to brand it with. If anything, the opposite has proven to be the name of the game. Industry leaders and large-scale corporate enterprises are beginning to both adopt and reintroduce more decidedly right-brain, almost spiritual and deliberately holistic elements to their respective approaches.”
“Zina Sutch and Patrick Malone are impressive in how they just go for it proverbially with their brand of corporate philosophy in Leading with Love and Laughter. The subtitle of the book reads Letting Go and Getting Real at Work, and like the title it fits the book’s straightforward and purposefully simplistic delivery. Sutch and Malone aren’t interested in trying to push what one could call their anti-traditionalist, radical-to-corporate conservatives philosophy in neutered or watered-down prose to fit the widest possible audience. They’re preaching to a very specific choir, specifically a millennial-centric set of generations, and as a result the book is refreshingly unguarded and concise in terms of language choice and in terms of conceptual presentation.”
“This is a wonderfully written book. It’s funny, it’s breezy, but it gets to the heart of the matter with references culled from research. But it never gets bogged down in dry statistics or lengthy explanations. It’s a human book that speaks to the human in all of us. In these divisive and difficult times, caring and humble leaders who aren’t afraid to laugh–and in fact encourage it– are greatly needed. This isn’t a “how to” book because we all know how to do it. The book illustrates why it’s important, gives examples, and even answers challenging questions.”
Linda M. Boris
Amazon Review
“Zina and Patrick have written a warm, funny, and eminently practical guide to bringing our humanity to our leadership. As we’re all struggling to figure out this new world of work, coming out of the pandemic, their book is a great reminder that building strong, positive relationships – with ourselves first, and then with those around us – is the best foundation for whatever organizational work we need to do together.”
Erika Andersen
Amazon Review
“I actually met one of the author of this book before I started reading the book. I am enjoying reading the book thus far. I rarely get to meet an author before reading their books, but I find myself approaching this book with a curious mind this time. I felt connected with the author and often finding myself reliving our first meeting just because, when we met, there were laughter and a sense of price in his work. This book is terrific. Although I am not done reading it, I strongly encourage and recommend it to anyone, at any level, to reach and grasp the concept of leading with love and laughter.”
Freddy Israel
Amazon Review
“2020 and even in 2021, the word feels so dark and difficult. It is hard to manage yourself, your family, your team, your managers – all while dealing with a global pandemic, recession, changing administration, and the need for major social justice reform. This book helps reframe that darkness, by highlighting the need to focus on love and laughter. This book is so needed right now.”
Emily Jarvis
Amazon Review
“My husband and I flew through this incredibly witty, heartfelt and well-written book! It will challenge you to let go of any sense of cynicality that you may have, and start making the effortless effort to lead your life with compassion and a light heart instead! It is without a doubt, something super special, full of invaluable life lessons that we will carry with us throughout our journey, as we grow and evolve together, using love and laughter as our guide!”
AF
Amazon Review
“Patrick and Zina bring about the obvious to the forefront and remind us about what is important in life and in work. They show us that leadership is about loving others and understanding the importance of sharing that love and allowing laughter into our lives. Thank you for this refreshing read.”
Amazon Customer
Amazon Review
“LEADING with LOVE and LAUGHTER is light hearted and good natured take on leadership that pushes the reader past previously explored concepts like EI/EQ and empathy; encouraging introspection, while daring us to be vulnerable and authentic. By forcing leaders to look inward first, this book will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for individual and organizational change. It definitely inspired me to add a lot more love and laughter to my life and my relationships…something I think we all need more of these days.”
WML
Amazon Review
“I like this book. It’s a quick read, easy to connect to and hard to put down, even when refilling a nice glass of Malbec. For me, the characterizations and profiles provided a unique, useful and fun springboard as I thought about how to apply the main themes to my own style, strengths, and weaknesses. The encouragement and challenges presented in the book are real and genuinely demonstrate the core message. An added bonus is that the authors’ gentleness and joy resist a clinical recipe approach to leadership self-awareness and, instead, show us why love and laughter are essential to personal, professional, individual and team success. Highly recommended!”
Ed Hruneni
Amazon Review
“Excellent book! Written by two amazing leaders with tons of experience who walk the talk. This is a book with meaningful and refreshing concepts. If you are a leader or aspire to be one, this book is packed full of practical wisdom that you can start applying to your life and team right away. This is a book for anyone who wants to become a better person and leader. I’m going to buy copies to give away to others. “Love and laughter is where it’s at for leadership.””
Jacqueline Padron
Amazon Review
“OK, full disclosure up front… I generally avoid leadership books at all cost. They’re so frequently written by ex-Navy Seals (thank you for your service), who are now Fortune 500 CEOs who saved their fledgling companies from bankruptcy (Ok, good for you, I guess), and who have set up charities that eradicate diseases in Africa (geez, really?). However, that being said, I really enjoyed this book because it doesn’t make good leadership an intangible, Churchill/Lincoln/Roosevelt “born-with-it” thing. Rather, the authors do a lovely job of letting you give yourself a break for your faults, laugh at the position you’re in as a leader and understand that leadership is journey you’re on with the people you’re entrusted to lead. I appreciated the perspective greatly and walked away from the book with a little more confidence and a renewed energy towards my role. I highly encourage anyone in a leadership position to read this and apply it, both for your own good and for the people you lead.”
Scott Mulligan
Amazon Review
“Not often do you find a book about management that makes you smile while you’re reading it! To say this is “just” a book about leadership would not do it justice; it’s about leaders, and it’s about the people they lead, but it’s also about the commonalities between the two. We are all human, and this book gives a clear case of how, and why, to bring a little human love back to the table in the workplace. A great read, and well worth the time.”
Drisana Sutch
Amazon Review
“If you’re going to write a book entitled leading with love and laughter, then you better have a huge heart and a great sense of humor. Patrick and Zina come do not disappoint in either of these regards. This book is a page turner in both and its wit and its wisdom. I strongly recommend this book to all those who pursue the honor to be referred to as a leader, and especially to the senior-most leaders who set the tone for their organization.”
Benjamin Larson
Amazon Review
“This book was a great read! I have read countless books related to leadership, business, customer service… you name it. This book grabbed and kept my attention all the way through. Patrick and Zina use anecdotes and other examples to drive home an invaluable message. A must-read!”
Caitlin
Amazon Review
“This book is an enjoyable read and therefore goes by too quick! Zina and Patrick really understand how people tick and apply this knowledge to real life examples. As someone who aspires to lead a team, this book shines a light on some really important ideas that can be applied to both my current and future roles.”
Chelsea S.
Amazon Review
“Great book, truthful and honest about what leadership is about. Could not put it down. I highly recommend it to current and future leaders.”
Jean-Luc
Amazon Review
“A great read and needed post pandemic. It’s time to be our authentic selves. Thank you Zina and Patrick for a well done piece!”
Aug
Amazon Review
“Absolutely relevant for the current times!”
Priyanka Dissanayake
Amazon Review
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