Lead Embodied
For executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders navigating an increasingly unpredictable world, the instinct to power through is no longer a strength—it’s a liability. Beneath the surface of performance lies a silent exhaustion where the pressure to appear composed outpaces the body’s capacity to sustain it. What limits even the most capable leaders is rarely the chaos itself, but the reluctance to embrace the deep personal transformation required to steer through it.
In Lead Embodied, bestselling author Rhodes Perry charts a bold and necessary alternative. Blending intimate memoir with an immersive 12-week coaching journey, he invites readers to set down their professional armor and turn inward by introducing a radically human approach to leadership using evidence-based somatic practices from the living lineage of the Strozzi Institute. Combining heartfelt stories, rich science, and powerful case studies, Perry illuminates the power of partnering with your body to lead with newfound joy, ease, and trust.
Each chapter unfolds as a week of practice, guiding readers to attune to the body’s intelligence as the foundation of authentic leadership–the internal alignment that empowers you to remain grounded, whole, and effective, no matter the external pressures. Through reflective prompts and transformative practices, leaders learn to move from reactive crisis management to intentional, values-driven decision making. Structured in four parts, the journey begins by shedding the armor that conceals the real self, then builds into a consistent practice of deep transformation that builds resilience, culminating in leadership as an embodied way of being. Along the way, readers restore their inner belonging and radiate it outward.
At its core, Lead Embodied is a reclamation of self. It’s a reminder that the leader you seek to become is not a persona to perform, but an emergent process of becoming who you truly are.
Rhodes Perry
About Rhodes Perry
Rhodes Perry is an award-winning bestselling author, somatic executive coach, and organizational culture strategist who helps leaders embody the presence, resilience, and authenticity required to navigate complexity, build trust, and create belonging-centered spaces where people can thrive. For more than twenty-five years, he has partnered with values-driven leaders and organizations, drawing from leadership experiences with the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, PFLAG National, as well as founding and leading a nationally recognized consulting firm. As an openly transgender leader and lifelong human rights advocate, Rhodes demonstrates that the courage to lead begins with the courage to belong to yourself. Learn more at RhodesPerry.com.
Learn MoreWhat People Are Saying
What People Are Saying
It’s virtually impossible to be successful in one’s work in any kind of group – be it a corporation, a deep-sea fishing crew, or a rock and roll band – without feeling a sense of belonging. Most of us have had the experience of working where we didn’t really fit in, and sure, we can pull in that paycheck for a while, make do, hang in there, but how long do those jobs ever last, especially if we want to be honest with ourselves or have a healthy work-life balance? It’s easy to say, 'No job is ever perfect. You’re not supposed to like it; that’s why they call it work!' But why settle for barely adequate productivity, creativity, or new hire return on investment when you can harness the synergy of belonging? Leaders and aspiring leaders who want to succeed should look to Rhodes Perry for inspiration and guidance. Belonging at Work really does matter.
Belonging at Work is long overdue. Rhodes Perry’s work is a testament to the power of living with authenticity at all hours of the day, at home and at work. Wherever you are in your journey of living an authentic, purposeful life, this book is a powerful tool that should be required reading in all workplaces that value diversity and full inclusion.
Rhodes Perry is an invaluable and important voice on our emerging understanding of what makes truly great workplace cultures: the ability for all of us to bring our full selves to work. He clearly lays out what gets in the way of this, particularly for those who are underrepresented, and historically undervalued, both from a personal lens of his LGBTQ experience, and on behalf of so many other lost and marginalized voices. Make no mistake, organizations and their bottom lines suffer from unexplored exclusionary practices. The book is full of practical examples of how we all have a role to play in redirecting the dynamics of exclusion, so that all in the workplace can thrive. A must read!
At a time of such intense separation, a healthy workplace is one of the best chances we have for connection. In Imagining Belonging, Rhodes Perry clearly shows us, the power of culture often transcends our individual inclination and can call us to serve something larger than ourselves. This book is a treasure trove of valuable insights, tools, and practices. It should be read, but even more importantly, it should be used to inspire transformation!
It's very simple: What kind of leader do you want to be? Rhodes Perry artfully breaks down complicated layers of workplace dynamics and expectations to help you understand core DEI concepts and uncover old patterns. Here's your mirror to see where you are, and guide to lead with your values to where you want to be.
If you want to advance your organization's DEI goals and transform your culture, Imagine Belonging is a must-read. It will empower you to make change and get others on board by helping them see the leadership benefits to fully embracing building a more equitable organization today.
