What makes someone a leader worth following?
It's certainly not title or tenure. It's not charisma or confidence. According to Dr. Benjamin Granger, Qualtrics' Chief Workplace Psychologist, it's something far more fundamental: the ability (and willingness) to earn followership through genuine human connection.
Dr. Ben's new book, A Leader Worth Following, combines proven experience management principles with cutting-edge psychology research to offer a fresh take on leadership - one where emotional intelligence, empathy, and clear communication aren't "soft skills" but the foundation of exceptional group performance.
About the book
A Leader Worth Following provides practical strategies for:
- Building genuine connections with the people you lead
- Mastering communication, listening, and presence
- Understanding the world through your collaborators' eyes
- Showing up as your best self, even during rapid change
Whether you're a new manager, a seasoned executive, or someone who regularly works with other people, the book offers a blueprint for leadership that actually works.
From Page to Practice: A 3-Week Community Journey
To celebrate the launch, we're inviting the community to put Dr. Ben's ideas into action.
Over the next three weeks, we'll share a simple reflection prompt inspired by the book. No essays required - just your honest thoughts and experiences.
Here's how it works:
- Week 1 (24 Feb): Understanding Others
- Week 2 (3 Mar): Communication
- Week 3 (10 Mar): Showing Up
Each week, we'll post a reflection question. Share your response in the comments. That's it.
What's in it for you?
Beyond the conversation itself, we're giving away signed copies of Dr. Ben's book each week. Participate in all three reflections and you'll be entered to win a signed copy of A Leader Worth Following.
Ask Dr. Ben Anything
Before we kick off the reflections, here's your chance to ask Dr. Ben directly.
What do you want to know about leadership, followership, communication, or navigating change? Drop your questions in the comments below. Dr. Ben will respond to as many as he can over the coming days.
Looking Ahead: X4 2026
This conversation doesn't end here. X4 is just three weeks away (17–19 March, Seattle), where we'll be exploring how organizations are building human-centred leadership at scale.
Register for X4 at https://www.qualtrics.com/x4summit/
A Leader Worth Following is available now. https://benjamingranger.com/
