Where's my free lunch

What readers say about Where's My Free Lunch ?

"Where’s my Free Lunch? As a small business owner, I often wish that running a team could be a little… easier. In this book, Eddie Ross gives clear insight and practical examples of how to face key challenges in the workplace. He introduces the unique idea of developing “Me-pathy”, which he describes as recognizing the impact that we have on others."

Jennifer Gaudette - Business Owner

This book encourages self-reflection on leadership style, highlighting key traits like adaptability and empathy. It introduces ‘Me-pathy’ and emphasizes that true leadership is about inspiring, not just managing, others. A quick, insightful read for today’s leaders.

David Sinclair - Law Partner

"This book helped me realize that leadership requires self-awareness, strong communication skills, and a fair amount of effort. Spoiler alert: There is no free lunch!"

Mollie Hall - Consultant

"Simple and immensely profound. I find myself applying and referring back to concepts and frameworks from ‘Where’s My Free Lunch?’ constantly in almost every business scenario… and more importantly, in almost every life scenario as well.."

James Ross - Entrepreneur

"Where’s my Free lunch?’ is that rarest of business books, - mixing pithy real-world insights into corporate life and career building with a life-loving sprinkle of wit, warmth and humanly scaled wisdom..."

David Mears - CEO

"Where’s my free lunch” offers a fresh approach to leadership, breaking down complex ideas into simple, practical advice. It’s a great read for both new and seasoned leaders, with real-world examples that make leadership concepts easy to grasp."

Lyle Walker - Junior Developer

"Eddie Ross’s insights are pure gold. The ‘me-pathy’ concept is a game-changer, and his practical advice on leadership is refreshingly actionable. A must-read for anyone serious about personal and professional growth."

Charlotte Winslow – Executive Coach

"This book gave me new ways to think about leadership. The anecdotes were relatable, and the focus on self-awareness really hit home. A great resource formanagers."

Oliver Barrington – Team Leader

"Eddie Ross understands people. His advice on personal branding and communication resonated with me deeply. I can’t wait to apply his tips at work."

Rebecca Thornton – Marketing Specialist

"Ross has distilled years of leadership experience into a book that is both insightful and entertaining. The balance of empathy and practicality sets this apart from other leadership books. Not a bit of arrogance there."

Dr. Henry Stapleton – Organisational Psychologist

"This book feels like having a personal coach at your side. The section on managing yourself is particularly empowering. Highly recommended for HR professionals!"

Amelia Croft – HR Consultant

"Eddie's straightforward, no-nonsense approach to leadership is refreshing. The anecdotes are engaging, and the advice on navigating change is spot on forentrepreneurs."

Marcus Ellwood – Tech Startup Founder

"I found some sections a bit repetitive, but Eddie’s storytelling is engaging, and his advice on handling feedback is useful. A good read, though not groundbreaking for me. But to each their own."

Gemma Hawthorne – Mid-Level Manager

"This book is a breath of fresh air. The author has an uncanny ability to simplify complex ideas, making them easy to apply. The section where it talks about communication is a gem"

Sophia Blake – Public Relations Expert

"Brilliantly written with insights that every leader needs. The idea that leadership starts with self-awareness has completely reshaped how I approach my role as a CEO. This book was exactly what I had been looking for."

Jonathan Pritchard – CEO

"I wish I’d had this book earlier in my career. It’s practical, inspiring, and packed with wisdom that applies far beyond just the workplace."

Eleanor Withers – Small Business Owner

"Ross combines humour with hard-hitting truths. His take on leadership is authentic, and the reflections at the end of each chapter are immensely helpful."

Tom Radcliffe – Leadership Trainer

"This book has given me a fresh perspective on coaching my clients. Eddie’s focus onself-leadership is empowering and deeply resonant."

Isabella Murray – Life Coach

"Author’s lessons go beyond corporate leadership—they’re relevant to life. Assomeone working in education, I found his ideas on empathy and influence incredibly inspiring"

Victoria Kendall – Education Consultant

"Some parts of the book didn’t feel entirely relevant to my field, but I appreciated the actionable advice on communication and goal setting. Good, but not exceptional."

James Whitmore – Financial Analyst

"This is the first leadership book I’ve actually enjoyed reading. Eddie’s storytelling and wit make it stand out, and the insights are spot-on for dealing with high-pressure environments."

Daniel Hargreaves – Corporate Lawyer

"I’ve read countless books on leadership, but this one stands out for its warmth and practical wisdom. The part where the author talks about time management isespecially helpful."

Emily Fletcher – Healthcare Manager

"Eddie Ross hits the nail on the head. This book is insightful, relatable, and incredibly well-structured. It’s already helping me work better with my clients."

Sebastian Langford – Management Consultant

"I couldn’t put it down! The blend of anecdotes, humour, and practical advice is perfect. This is a guide I’ll return to again and again."

Fiona Mayhew – Project Manager

"It’s a solid read with some great takeaways, but I found the tone a bit light at times for the topics discussed. Useful, but not a personal favourite."

Harriet Lang – Marketing Exec.

"Eddie Ross has created a modern classic. The tools and strategies he shares are applicable to so many industries. A valuable resource for any professional."

Edward Graves – IT Consultant

Me-pathy

Me-pathy is the ability to see yourself through the eyes of others. Empathy is about understanding others — me-pathy is understanding how others perceive you.

By increasing your me-pathy, you can become more aware of your impact on those around you, which is essential for effective communication and to build trust.

It encourages leaders to reflect on their behaviors and actions, ensuring that their intentions align with how they are perceived.

This self-awareness of external perceptions can help leaders adjust their approach to better connect with their team, inspire confidence, and foster an environment where others feel understood and respected.

Leadership starts with you

What’s your definition of Leadership? Is it about leading others? Well yes, it certainly can be. But before you start to lead anyone else - you need to be able to lead yourself. Do you really understand your own strengths and weaknesses? As a leader? As a person?

Every one of us has the opportunity to demonstrate great leadership behaviors in all the interactions we have every day. How you manage yourself, how you treat your bosses, how you interact with your colleagues, clients, or partners and yes… how you lead teams of people that report up to you.

Who do you need to outrun?

When you want to achieve an objective (a sales pitch, an important presentation, a job interview…), how carefully do you ask yourself exactly what is needed? How carefully do you define success? The more you do that, the more likely you are to achieve it. By trying to do too much, you may completely miss your target.

Perception is reality

When we want to achieve something, we should start by remembering that what others see, feel, and believe is their reality - even if you see something totally different and also believe you have the facts to prove it. They are not "wrong" - just see things differently from you.

You only control yourself

Are others getting in the way of what you need or want? Our tendency is to feel that others need to change. They need to realize that their behavior is unreasonable, or their performance is not good enough. It can be frustrating when they don’t listen and whatever we say or do, nothing seems to change, and they carry on exactly the same. Is the answer to try to get them to move, or for you to choose a different path?

WHERE´S MY FREE LUNCH?

PART 1

Becoming a good leader of yourself as all leadership starts with
self-leadership and managing ourselves

I. SELF LEADERSHIP AND ME-PATHY

Learn how to lead yourself effectively by developing self-awareness and understanding your impact on others through "Me-Pathy." This chapter will help you master personal responsibility and understand how others perceive your leadership.

II. YOUR PERSONAL BRAND PERCEPTION

Discover how to shape and manage your personal brand to stand out as a leader. Learn how to align your strengths, actions, and communication to build a positive perception that supports your leadership journey.

III. MANAGING YOURSELF

In this chapter, you’ll learn practical strategies for managing your emotions, building healthy habits, and maintaining discipline. Discover how to balance work and personal life to become a more effective leader.

IV: CHOICES YOU MAKE

Learn how to make intentional decisions that align with your values and long-term goals. This chapter will guide you in making choices that lead to growth, ensuring that your actions reflect what you truly want for your future.

V. MANAGING YOUR TIME AND YOUR AMBITIONS

Time management is key to achieving your goals. This chapter provides tools for prioritizing tasks, staying focused on your ambitions, and using your time efficiently to maximize both productivity and personal fulfillment.

VI. BECOME A MASTER COMMUNICATOR

Effective communication is essential for leadership. Learn how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. This chapter will help you connect with your audience, inspire through storytelling, and build trust through active listening.

PART 2

Other people and managing them effectively

VII. OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET

People are your greatest asset in leadership. This chapter will show you how to understand, motivate, and effectively manage your team by valuing each individual's unique strengths, ensuring everyone is engaged and contributing to collective success.

VIII. GETTING WHAT YOU WANT (OR NEED) FROM OTHERS

Learn strategies to get what you need from others in a positive and effective way. This chapter provides insights on influencing, negotiating, and creating win-win situations that benefit both you and your team.

VIIII. SETTING GOALS AND GIVING FEEDBACK

Discover how to set clear, achievable goals and provide constructive feedback that helps others grow. This chapter will guide you in creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement through well-defined objectives and effective communication.

X. WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND NEED

Understand the fundamental needs of the people you lead. In this chapter, you will learn how to motivate your team by addressing their core desires, fostering a sense of belonging, and providing them with purpose and recognition.

XI. CULTURE EATS STRATEGY

A strong culture is more powerful than any strategy. This chapter emphasizes how to create and nurture a positive organizational culture that supports success, where people feel valued, motivated, and aligned with the company’s mission.

XII. BEING A GOOD BOSS

Learn the key traits of being a good boss who inspires, supports, and challenges their team. This chapter provides practical advice on balancing empathy with authority, making tough decisions, and creating an environment where your team can thrive.

XIII. YOUR OWN PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP

Discover how to develop your unique leadership philosophy. This chapter will help you reflect on your experiences, values, and beliefs, guiding you to create a personal approach to leadership that resonates with your authentic self and aligns with your goals.

PART 3

Leading Business, Change andTransformation

XIV. Everything is change

Change is a constant in business and life. This chapter will help you understand the inevitability of change and how to prepare yourself and your organization to adapt effectively, turning challenges into opportunities.

XV. You want, or need, to transform. So where are you going?

Successful transformation starts with a clear vision. Learn how to define your destination before beginning a transformation journey, ensuring you have a clear direction and a roadmap to guide you and your team through the process of meaningful change.

XVI. Executing a transformation

Transformation plans are only successful with the right execution. This chapter provides practical steps for leading a transformation, focusing on building effective teams, staying outcome-driven, and managing the challenges of change implementation.

XVII. About coaching

Coaching is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. In this chapter, discover how coaching can help leaders unlock potential in themselves and others, providing guidance, accountability, and a pathway to success.

PART 4

Some more philosophical, big picture ideas. Eddie’s own favorite stories, examples, metaphors, models and ideas.

XVIII. No such thing as a free luncH

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The only thing we control is ourselves

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What readers say about Where's My Free Lunch ?

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WHERE´S MY FREE LUNCH?

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