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It's Not Magic
The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders

John Amaechi (Author)

9781394338276, Wiley

Hardback, published 25 September 2025

288 pages
21.8 x 14.5 x 2.8 cm, 0.522 kg

An inspirational new take on leadership that proves you too can inspire and motivate your followers

In It’s Not Magic: The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders, author, chartered psychologist and Professor of Leadership at the University of Exeter Business School, John Amaechi, delivers an impactful discussion of the dull, ordinary, energy-expensive, and transformative behaviours that define the world’s best leaders.

The book walks you through the seemingly obvious but difficult-to-nail mindsets and intentions you’ll need to adopt to influence and motivate others. You’ll learn strategies and techniques you can apply immediately to help those who follow you to flourish and maximise their potential.

Inside the book:

  • Easy-to-follow explanations of the straightforward behaviours you can model to improve your ability to lead others
  • Habits you can adopt immediately to motivate others in any setting, from the boardroom to the classroom or the battlefield
  • Data-driven insights into the tiny, little things that great leaders do every day and how to incorporate them into your emotional and behavioural repertoire


An essential read for managers, executives, board members, and other business leaders, It’s Not Magic will also prove invaluable to entrepreneurs, founders, teachers, military leaders, academics, and anyone else expected to motive and inspire others to achieve great things.

Foreword xi

Introduction: It’s Not Magic. It’s Human

Part I Building the Foundations 1

Chapter 1 Unlocking Your Potential and Turning Principles Into Practice: It’s Not Magic. It’s a Commitment 3

Chapter 2 The Power of Authentic Presence: It’s Not Magic. It’s Mindset 19

Chapter 3 The ‘library of Experiences’: It’s Not Magic. It’s Life Catalogued 41

Chapter 4 The Art of Perceptive Listening: It’s Not Magic. It’s Connection 57

Part II Elevating Everyday Leadership 83

Chapter 5 Empowerment Through Vulnerability: It’s Not Magic. It’s Credibility 85

Chapter 6 Excellence in Communication: It’s Not Magic. It’s Eloquence 103

Chapter 7 Transforming Perceived Weaknesses: It’s Not Magic. It’s Evolution 125

Chapter 8 Navigating Novel and Fractious Environments: It’s Not Magic. It’s Adaptability 149

Part III Amplifying Impact 171

Chapter 9 Learning to Build Contextual Intelligence: It’s Not Magic. It’s Deliberate Reflective Practice 173

Chapter 10 Enabling Others’ Growth: It’s Not Magic. It’s Effort and Intention 201

Epilogue: It’s Not Magic. It’s You 225

Notes 233

Acknowledgements 241

About the Author 243

Index 245

Subject Areas: Business & management [KJ]

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