"An ambitious and original take on leadership that is both deeply philosophical and highly practical. Ego Flip is a truly epic journey from the far stretches of the universe, down to the precise details of human motivation and behaviours, then out again to a bold vision of our future within the age of the metaverse. A missing link for those leading and influencing in a self-obsessed world, James Woodcock has crafted a truly incredible resource for the leader with a genuine thirst for change. Mind-bending, far-reaching and revolutionary - Ego Flip is a must-read!”
SARAH LLOYD-HUGHES
CEO, Ginger Leadership Communications
“Ego Flip earns my highest praise. It got me thinking. In this cerebral tract Woodcock cracks a door open where we can begin to understand how our own sense of 'us' may not be what we think it is."
L. DAVID MARQUET
Author Turn the Ship Around and Leadership is Language
“Stunning. Brilliant. Ego Flip is a hugely enjoyable intellectual and emotional gallop that drives straight to the heart of hope for humanity and how to lead in this complex, turbulent world. With crystal clear vision, and an expansive knowledge of the sciences, philosophy, the arts, psychology, psychoanalysis, cultural variances and organisational development, James Woodcock argues that it is only by extending human consciousness and shedding the limitations of ego, self-interest and power that will enable us to navigate and survive the gambles and uncertainties of today. Using practical examples and compelling logic he shows us how to develop our consciousness and identify the limiting stories that the ego weaves for us. In other words how to ‘ego flip’. All of this is done with precision and rigor, embracing embodiment alongside emotion and cognition in a convincing gestalt approach. The book crescendos towards the final section, ‘Leading Onwards’. It discusses what leaders must tangibly do to collaborate and communicate in complexity in a post-growth, AI world. For teams and organizations that learn to ‘ego flip’ this book holds the promise of a dynamic and agile future that embraces sustainability and circularity, liberating human energy to move from ‘ego’ to ‘eco’ leadership. Finally here is a clear pathway to becoming better humans. "
CLAIRE DALE
Founder, Physical Intelligence Institute
“Leaders in every field of human endeavor need to be able to question themselves and what motivates them, to be a leader of change. James Woodcock brilliantly exposes what it really takes for leaders to change and adapt in the modern world. This book is a must for every leader that has the courage to lead beyond the ego.”
SIR CHRIS BRYANT MP
Member of Parliament for Rhondda, Author Code of Conduct and Entitled
"James’ work is an intellectual tour de force, weaving complex philosophical and psychological themes into the everyday challenges faced by leaders. As leaders, we are faced with profound questions - about our identity, our role, our perspective. Contending with these questions is how we serve best, as leaders. James’ book is a rare glimpse into the depths.”
NICK SHACKLETON-JONES
CEO, Shackleton Consulting, Author How People Learn
“Ego Flip is a cognitive rollercoaster. Starting with a wonderfully divergent approach that forces the reader to mentally grapple with some sizeable existential, paradoxical, and philosophical questions; it then systematically and elegantly funnels down to help us to not only understand the implications on our leadership but also provides practical, insightful ways of incorporating these insights into one’s leadership offer. Profound, provocative, and utterly compelling for anyone interested in a fresh and relevant approach to leadership.”
MARK RICHARDSON
Olympic silver medalist, former World Champion and leadership and culture expert
“If this book has even caught your eye, you are already a leader who seeks genuinely to serve. Forget models and theories, this is personal. James gives a step-by-step guide about how to be genuinely different. He shines a light on the leadership of the future in a strong call for each of us to look inwards first.“
RACHEL GRIFFITHS
Founder, The Natural Leader
“In Ego Flip, James Woodcock confronts his readers with a powerful exposition of leadership, from the physics of our universe, to theories of evolution, through to behavioural psychology and the implications for psychopathy and sociopathy. This is a demanding read. He challenges directly the topic that many shy away from: power. His powerful descriptions of the different forms of power dynamics that play out in the workplace lead to a unique analysis of cognitive biases in decision-making. Ego Flip prescribes how leaders can break these cycles of systemic behavior to build more inclusive organizations. I applaud these messages. Ego Flip keeps its radical intellectual edge through to its manifesto for leadership – providing an illuminating vision for how to learn, collaborate, and to lead.”
KEITH LESLIE
Chair, Samaritans UK and Ireland
“Cerebral, insightful, bringing together so many different strands, this book will make you see leadership in a whole new light.”
NEIL MULLARKEY
Author In the Moment, co-founder of The Comedy Store Players
"I’m quite sure there isn’t another book on leadership anything like this one. Ego Flip dismisses simple, surface level leadership advice, and instead heads straight to the core of you as a person. It takes you on a Zen journey through the fundamentals of self-knowledge, to reveal a new perspective on how you can really know yourself and others. If you’re looking for soundbites and easy fixes, this book is not for you. But if you want to know how your ego warps your decision making, and what you can do about it, strap in and read on!”
RUSS HENDY
Managing Director, Tui Media
“This book provides a powerful voice advocating the need for humane, conscious leadership, away from egoic power dynamics and the centralization of power. Ego Flip vividly lays bare how only those leaders who can flip their ego can become leaders of the future, and a force for good. I warmly welcome this urgent and important book".
PROFESSOR VLATKA ARIAANA HLUPIC
Author The Management Shift and Humane Capital, Founder of Management Shift Solutions
“Ego Flip provides pioneering insight into how we can use stories to connect with the world around us, and how we can use our own stories to bring about profound change. A brilliant book for storytellers everywhere that believe in the power of stories to change our world.”
SIMON DOUGLAS
Filmmaker
“In Ego Flip, James draws upon eclectic resources and presents profound and provocative thinking to provide a fascinating account for why leaders need to ‘look behind the mask’ to truly understand and embody what it means to ‘lead’. With the examination of ‘ego’ at the heart, this book proposes a radical rethink on leadership and offers a definitive leadership manifesto for our future – a new way to lead.”
DR SYLVANA STOREY
Global Head of People Experience, Kroll
“This is an important and unique book in the leadership canon, for today’s challenging times. I’m very grateful to Woodcock for grappling with the sheer breadth and complexity of this topic with such rigor and integrity. Ego Flip gives us a framework to think deeply – it opens the door to a new understanding of leadership, through the lenses of philosophy and psychology. An essential read for anyone that wants to get serious about what good leadership truly requires of us.”
JEN EMERY
Author Leading for Organisational Change
"An illuminating exploration of leadership that delves deep into the paradox of self-reference and ego. This book challenges conventional notions, offering a transformative perspective on leadership's potential to shape our world. A must-read for leaders seeking profound insights and a new path forward."
DAN STRODE
Author The Culture Advantage