The Center of the Compass

A Guide to the Power of Steady Leadership in an Age of Disruption

In a world defined by disruption, leadership requires a new direction.

The modern way of work is designed to scatter us: emails, alerts, performance dashboards, quarterly earnings, and AI-driven distractions of all kinds. Leaders try to absorb it all, hoping more information will mean more certainty and better decisions. Usually, the opposite happens. 

Drawing on more than three decades of experience as an executive advisor, entrepreneur, and board director, in The Center of the Compass, Eric Mahler distills a lifetime of leadership lessons into a practical, story-driven guide to the power of steadiness—navigating uncertainty and disruption without losing direction.

Through the lens of the Leadership Compass, with four essential directions—North (Clarity), South (Resilience), East (Trust), and West (Purpose)—and a centering principle of Coherence, Mahler reveals a powerful framework for:

  • Leading confidently through complexity
  • Strengthening and tapping into the power of culture
  • Building relationships and trust
  • Navigating the future of work and AI

Combining practical tools, real-world examples, and insights applicable at every career stage, The Center of the Compass is for leaders who want more than short-term momentum. It is for those determined to earn trust, sustain themselves and their teams, and build careers—and lives—that truly last.

Add to cart to preorder your copy today!
$27.00
Request a Bulk Quote
ISBN: 979-8-90026-136-2
Imprint: Amplify Publishing
SKU: 18-1598-01
Categories:Amplify Publishing, Leadership and Management

“At a time when leaders are pulled in every direction, Eric Mahler reminds us that the real work of leadership begins at the center. This book is a powerful call to steadiness—grounded, thoughtful, and deeply relevant. The Center of the Compass doesn’t just help you lead better; it helps you become the kind of leader others can rely on.”

—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

“In a world flooded with noise, The Center of the Compass is a rare signal. Timely, practical, and deeply relevant, this book helps leaders cut through complexity and navigate uncertainty with purpose and sustained focus.”

—Josh Linkner, New York Times bestselling author, five-time tech entrepreneur, and venture capital investor

“In an era when leadership advice often chases the latest disruption, Eric Mahler offers an enduring framework for staying grounded when everything else is shifting. The Leadership Compass is clear, practical, and deeply human—a guide for leaders who want to make better decisions, build trust, and lead with conviction.”

—Barb Betts, author of The Relationship Advantage

“When the stakes are high and the pressure is real, leaders need more than information—they need direction. The Center of the Compass provides a clear, actionable road map to leading with confidence, resilience, and purpose.”

—Paul Epstein, former NFL and NBA executive; two-time bestselling author; founder, WIN MONDAY® 

“I’ve seen firsthand the kind of leader Eric Mahler is. Grounded. Thoughtful. Steady when it counts. In The Center of the Compass, he shares a framework that every leader needs right now—one that brings clarity and anchors decisions in what matters most. This book will make you a better, more trusted leader.”

—Dr. David Horsager, bestselling author and CEO, Trust Edge Leadership Institute

“Leaders do not need more noise. They need a way to stay oriented when the world keeps shifting. The Center of the Compass offers a practical and thoughtful framework for leading with clarity, resilience, trust, and purpose.”

—Stephen Shapiro, author of Pivotal and Invisible Solutions

Eric Mahler

Executive Adviser, Entrepreneur, and Board Director

Eric Mahler is an executive advisor, board director, and entrepreneur whose career has been defined by one consistent challenge: helping leaders and organizations find their footing when the ground is shifting. Through Aretos Advisory, he works with boards and executive teams on strategic clarity, leadership alignment, governance, transformation, and the execution disciplines that turn strategy into results.

His career spans three decades across finance, aviation, consulting, and technology—including early roles at Merrill Lynch, Republic Bank, Southwest Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. He also led market turnarounds and growth initiatives across multiple geographies at Capgemini and spent nearly two decades building Fulcrum Consulting from a startup into a national firm before its eventual sale.

He has served as a board director, keynote speaker, and senior advisor to Fortune 500 companies, privately held firms, and boards across industries navigating growth, transition, and disruption. The Center of the Compass is his first book.

Related products