In this introductory video for the book Falling Into Leadership, Steve Riddle shares how he discovered that most leaders don’t plan to lead; they excel at their work and then suddenly find people looking to them for direction. He presents Sally, a composite voice built from hundreds of real‑world conversations, to illustrate the common experience of “falling” into leadership. Sally recounts her own journey, emphasizing that leadership is not about having all the answers but about asking better questions, building trust, staying grounded, and nurturing relationships. Steve highlights the core shift from a telling‑to‑telling‑to‑asking mindset, framing leadership as a practice rather than a title. The dialogue underscores that leadership involves influence, culture, and personal growth, and that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. The video positions the book as a collection of honest stories and lessons designed to help emerging leaders see their own experiences reflected and to encourage curiosity, learning, and purposeful courage.
Chapters
When I started coaching leaders, I noticed something familiar. Most people don't plan to lead. They're great at what they do, and then suddenly people are looking to them for direction. That moment when leadership finds you became the heart of Falling Into Leadership. That's where Sally comes in. She isn't one person. She's a voice shaped by hundreds of conversations with real leaders who've stumbled, grown, and discovered what leadership truly means.
But I knew something needed to change in the way I was leading and showing up at work. Looking back, that was the beginning of an incredible journey. At the time, I didn't really know what to expect. I wasn't looking for a textbook answer or a quick fix. I came to realize that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions, building trust, and staying grounded in who you are. That wasn't always comfortable for me, but it was exactly what I needed.
That's the real shift— moving from telling to asking, from certainty to curiosity. Leadership isn't a title; It's a practice.
Like many of us, I didn't plan on becoming a leader. One day, I was good at my job, and the next, people were looking to me for direction and decisions. I fell into leadership, just as so many of us do. And at first, I thought it was all about managing tasks and keeping things moving. But over time, I learned that the real work of leadership is about people, relationships, and influence. It's about how you make others feel and the culture you create. I hope that when you read it, you see a bit of yourself in me— the doubts, the pressure, but also the growth and the breakthroughs. Because leadership isn't a straight path. It's full of twists, mistakes, and moments where you wonder if you're good enough. If you're a leader, or if you've just found yourself in a leadership role, my message to you is this: you don't have to have it all figured out. What matters is being open to learning, willing to listen, and brave enough to grow. This book is here to guide you on that journey, and maybe, like me, you'll discover that falling into leadership was exactly what needed to happen.
And that's what Falling Into Leadership is all about— real stories, honest lessons, and the courage to lead with purpose. Sally's voice represents all of us, the leaders still learning, questioning, and growing. We genuinely hope that Falling Into Leadership creates an opportunity for you to see your own leadership in a different light.
