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  • Published: 31 January 2023
  • ISBN: 9781761046063
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $40.00

Head and Heart

The Art of Modern Leadership




Winner of the 2023 Royal Society of Arts Career Book Award.

'A timely, actionable book on the virtues that every great leader needs to learn.'
ADAM GRANT, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife

Leadership is simply a series of moments and every moment gives you the opportunity to leave a positive legacy for those you lead.

In this ground-breaking book, award-winning leadership expert and business leader Kirstin Ferguson has written a much needed practical guide for every modern leader. Whether you are the head of one of the largest companies in the world, supervising a small team or guiding your family, it will be your ability to integrate your head and heart that will influence your success in leading others and navigating our complex world.

Combining studies from leading thinkers in the field with her own research, and more than three decades of personal experience, Kirstin explains the eight key attributes of a head and heart leader, and provides the tools to measure your own approach. Along the way, she shares her conversations with modern leaders from a broad range of backgrounds whose stories will surprise you, challenge your thinking and inspire you to be the type of leader the world needs today.

Head & Heart is one of those books you just know is going to change the world.’
KATE JENKINS, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner

‘A long way from the standard corporate leadership book.’
MARK SCOTT AO, Vice Chancellor, University of Sydney

Head & Heart has joined my favourite leadership books on my bedside table.’
PIP MARLOW, CEO, Salesforce Asia Pacific

  • Published: 31 January 2023
  • ISBN: 9781761046063
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $40.00

About the author

Kirstin Ferguson

Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an author, columnist, and company director. Beginning her career as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, Kirstin has held roles that have included chief executive officer of an international consulting firm and acting chair and deputy chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Kirstin has a PhD in leadership and culture, as well as honours degrees in Law and History. She is an adjunct professor at the Queensland University of Technology Business School, where she was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 2020 and is a Sir Winston Churchill Fellow. She was included on Thinkers50 Radar List in 2021 and shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Award in Leadership. In 2023 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to business and gender equality.

Kirstin's work in Head and Heart (Viking, 2023) saw her win the 2023 Thinkers50 Leadership Excellence Award. She was also named as one of only eight new entrants to the Thinkers50 Ranking in 2023.

Kirstin writes a weekly column on leadership and work in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and is also a contributor to the Australian Financial Review and Forbes.

Awards & recognition

Australian Career Book Award

Winner  •  2023  •  The Australian Career Book Award seeks to recognise high-quality career books.

Thinkers50 Best New Management Booklist

Joint winner  •  2023  •  Thinkers50 Best New Management Booklist

Thinkers50 Leadership Excellence Award

Winner  •  2023  •  Thinkers50 Leadership Excellence Award

Australian Business Book Awards

Finalist  •  2023  •  Leadership Category