Poetry & Leadership

Leadership reaches the heart as well as the mind.

John Baldoni is an internationally recognized leadership thought leader, keynote speaker, and communications advisor. His new book, Leadership in Verse, is a meditation in poems and stories on leading with candor, courage, and grace.

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  • 16 books · 10 languages
  • Top 10 Thought Leader, Thinkers360
  • Lifetime Achievement, Trust Across America

New from Maison Vero

Leadership in Verse: Poems & Stories

“Poetry is the art of getting to the heart of the matter.”

— John Baldoni

Poetry gives structure to overlooked ideas, makes tough subjects approachable, and can be a siren song for action. Leadership in Verse provokes reflection on what leadership is — and is not — through poems and prose that show how to lead in times of challenge and stress with courage, compassion, and grace.

  1. I

    What We See

    Observations of management around us, in good times and bad.

  2. II

    How We Act

    Leadership thoughts and actions for times of stress.

  3. III

    Stories to Inspire

    Women and men who exemplify leading with strength, bravery, and heart.

Buy on Amazon Buy at Barnes & Noble From the publisher, Maison Vero

Advance Praise

What leaders are saying about Leadership in Verse.

“Sage philosopher poet John Baldoni captures hope, spirit, purpose, and soul, and connects them to leadership, reflection, example, and practice. At once gently informative and deeply honest — a one-of-a-kind book of poems for leaders and followers.”

Sarah McArthur Editor in Chief, Leader to Leader Journal

“John Baldoni reveals what many leadership books miss: the soul of the leader. These poems invite reflection and recommitment to what matters most for anyone who leads another.”

Adrian Gostick NYT bestselling author of All In and Leading with Gratitude

“This collection is a gift — a reminder that leadership is not just something we do; it’s who we become through awareness, compassion, and conscious choice.”

Brenda Bence Thinkers50 Legend · Hall of Fame Speaker

“John shines a light on the challenges and absurdities of organizational life, while acknowledging the humanity of the people onstage. His compassion and decency are amply evident in Leadership in Verse.”

Ed Batista Leadership writer & author

How John Works With Leaders

Three ways to bring John in.

01

Keynote Speaker

Original, story-driven keynotes for in-person and virtual audiences — on leadership, communication, change, and grace under pressure. Certified Virtual Presenter.

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02

Communications Advisor

Senior counsel for executives and teams who need to lead through complexity — sharpening message, narrative, and presence so leaders are heard and trusted.

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03

Ask the Baldoni AI

A conversational interface trained on three decades of John’s books, columns, and keynotes — for leaders who want practical guidance, day or night.

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Portrait of John Baldoni

John Baldoni · Author & Speaker

About John

A leadership voice for our complicated times.

John Baldoni is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and the author of 16 books translated into ten languages. His work explores what it takes to lead with candor and courage when the work is hard and the stakes are real — in boardrooms, on stages, and on the page.

Thinkers360 named John its No. 1 Thought Leader in Management for 2025 and a Top 10 Thought Leader for both Leadership and Management. Inc. has named him a Top 50 leadership expert and a Top 100 leadership speaker. In 2021, the International Federation of Learning & Development named him a World-Class Mentor and inducted him into its Hall of Fame. In 2018, Trust Across America honored John with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Trust.

  • ForbesContributing columnist
  • Harvard Business ReviewFrequent contributor
  • SmartBriefLeadership columnist
Read John’s full bio

Recognition

Honored for a body of work — over decades.

  • No. 1 Thinkers360 Thought Leader in Management, 2025
  • Top 50 Inc. Leadership Expert
  • Top 100 Inc. Leadership Speaker
  • Lifetime Trust Across America Achievement Award
  • Hall of Fame IFLD World-Class Mentor
  • Power List LeadersHum 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership
  • Top 100 Business Blog (Feedspot)
  • Certified eSpeakers Virtual Presenter

“I marvel at John Baldoni’s unequalled ability to teach good leaders to become great leaders. He’s one of the top leadership voices on the planet.”

— Chester Elton, The Apostle of Appreciation

Reviews & Recent Reading

More on Leadership in Verse.

Publications

John’s writing appears in

  • Forbes
  • Harvard
    Business
    Review
  • SmartBrief

Get in touch

Ready to bring candor & courage to your stage?

For keynote inquiries, communications engagements, media, and book events — John responds personally to every message.

Email John Connect on LinkedIn

Or read the new book on Amazon · Barnes & Noble.