Leadership expert and Amazon bestselling author Dr. Tom DePaoli believes that the most effective leaders are not those who command from the top, but those who serve from within the team.
With a career spanning decades in business, manufacturing, quality management and the U.S. Navy Reserve, Dr. DePaoli has dedicated much of his professional life to understanding what makes leaders successful. His latest bestselling book on servant leadership distills those experiences into practical lessons designed to help leaders build trust, improve performance, and create stronger organizations.
“What I learned throughout my career is that people trust leaders who understand their work,” says DePaoli. “You have to get out of the office, go where the work is being done and learn what challenges your people face every day.”
Unlike many leadership books that focus on theory, DePaoli’s work is built around real-world stories. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, he shares fifty practical examples that demonstrate how empathy, accountability and service can transform workplace culture.
A central theme of the book is what DePaoli calls “reverse apprenticeship” the idea that leaders should take the time to learn the jobs of the people they manage. By understanding employees’ daily responsibilities, frustrations and obstacles, leaders gain credibility while identifying opportunities to improve processes and remove barriers to success.
“People want leaders who help them solve problems,” he explains. “They don’t just want someone telling them what to do. They want someone who understands their work and helps make it better.”
Many of DePaoli’s leadership principles were influenced by advice from his father, who also served in the Navy. As a young officer, DePaoli asked for guidance on becoming a good leader. The answer was simple but powerful: “Take care of your people.”
That lesson became the foundation of his leadership philosophy.
Throughout the book, DePaoli emphasizes that leadership is ultimately about service. He argues that trust cannot be built through authority alone. Instead, leaders must demonstrate integrity, admit mistakes, accept responsibility and consistently support their teams.
One of the most memorable stories in the book involves an employee who initially resisted his leadership. After the employee experienced a family crisis, DePaoli stepped in to handle her workload while she was away. When she returned, she was overwhelmed by the support she had received. The experience transformed their relationship and ultimately made her one of his strongest supporters.
For Dr. DePaoli, the lesson was clear: when leaders genuinely care about their people, loyalty and trust naturally follow.
The book’s message has resonated with readers because it offers a practical alternative to traditional command-and-control management. Rather than focusing on hierarchy, DePaoli encourages leaders to become resources for their teams by removing obstacles, improving systems, and helping employees succeed.
He believes one of the biggest mistakes leaders make is becoming disconnected from the realities of the workplace.
“You can’t lead effectively from an ivory tower,” he says. “You need to understand how the work is actually done.”
As organizations continue to navigate changing workplace expectations, DePaoli hopes his book will inspire the next generation of leaders to embrace servant leadership. His goal is simple: help leaders create environments where people feel valued, respected and empowered to do their best work.
At its core, his message remains remarkably straightforward.
“Take care of your people, understand their work and help them succeed,” says DePaoli. “When you do that, everyone wins.”
For leaders seeking practical guidance rather than abstract theory, Dr. Tom DePaoli’s latest bestseller serves as a timely reminder that great leadership begins with service, trust and a genuine commitment to helping others grow.
