Lead Last

Twenty-One Counterintuitive Principles for Becoming an Effective Leader

Most leadership books tell you to take charge and command the room. But what if the most effective leaders do the exact opposite?

In Lead Last, Marine Corps officer and award-winning author Olaolu Ogunyemi reveals twenty-one counterintuitive principles that challenge traditional wisdom and spur real, measurable results. Drawing from over a decade of experience leading high-performing teams, he provides a refreshing blueprint rooted in servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and long-term vision.

You’ll learn how to create resilient teams, make bold decisions without sacrificing trust, and master the “Who’s Next?” principle for establishing a legacy of mentorship that ensures your leadership outlasts you.

Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, educator, or emerging leader, this concise, actionable guide will encourage you to lead with influence, not just authority.

Add to cart to preorder your copy today!
$28.00
ISBN: 979-8-89138-971-7
Imprint: Amplify Publishing
SKU: 18-1539-01
Categories:Amplify Publishing, Leadership and Management, Thought Leadership

“Olaolu Ogunyemi flips the script on leadership. Lead Last shows us that real leaders don’t chase the spotlight—they lift others, build trust, and lead with purpose. This book won’t just sit on your shelf—it will change how you show up every day as a leader.”

—Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 executive coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“Olaolu challenges leaders to look inward and understand themselves and those they lead to become the kind of leader who empowers and inspires others. Through insightful, practical principles, Olaolu offers a no-nonsense road map to navigating today’s ever-changing landscape of technology and evolving workplace norms while fostering a positive, productive work environment free from toxic culture and negativity.”

—Tommy Spaulding, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart-Led Leader and The Gift of Influence

“Lead Last is a great read chock-full of leadership gems just waiting to be mined!”

—James C. Hunter, author of the international bestseller The Servant

“Lead Last is a refreshing and essential guide for anyone aspiring to make a genuine, lasting impact in their leadership journey. It moves beyond quick fixes, offering a practical road map for profound self-discovery and people-first leadership. It’s like a self-help book, a leadership conference, and a pep rally all rolled into one!”

—Todd Henry, author of The Brave Habit

“Brilliantly organized, straight to the point, and easy to comprehend . . . I recommend Lead Last to all leaders in business and other organizations. Anyone passionate about leadership will definitely appreciate this book.”

—Readers’ Favorite

Olaolu Ogunyemi

U.S. Marine Officer, Founder, Award-Winning Writer

Olaolu Ogunyemi is a loving husband, father, mentor, award-winning writer, and US Marine officer with a deep passion for working with children and developing leaders. Known for his infectious energy and creativity, Olaolu channels his personality into every aspect of his work. As the fifth of six children, he learned the value of storytelling early, inspiring him to write books that foster meaningful family connections and teach invaluable life lessons.

He is the author of the award-winning and Amazon bestselling children’s book Crow From the Shadow, along with Horace the Horsefly and Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine. His professional insights and creative work have been featured in numerous publications and platforms, including Military Families Magazine (where he published “Lessons from a Deployed Father” and was separately highlighted for his work), the YouVersion Bible App, the Marine Corps Gazette, the Parenting Decolonized podcast, and many more publications, podcasts, and media outlets.

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