THE CALL TO LEADERSHIP: Unlocking the Leader Within In Times of Crisis focuses on the personal leadership journey when facing a time of crisis. But not purely the technical aspects of leadership in crisis. It goes deeper than that, deep into the hearts and minds of global leaders of the highest levels, and how they dealt with leading in one the hardest times in all our lives: the COVID pandemic.

Through up-close-and-personal interviews, 20 C-Suite leaders from across the global Travel, Tourism & Aviation ecosystem share their unique, intimate perspectives on stepping forward to lead through a time when the world was literally grounded - a time we can all relate to as we were all kept away from loved ones and livelihoods for a length of time never seen before in our lifetimes.

Their never heard before stories, reflections and revelations enable us all to learn how we can understand, control, and even navigate our own ability to face a crisis - be it personal or professional - and come through safer, stronger, and even stronger for others. The findings are remarkable, emotionally raw, and rigorous as a study of exceptional leadership.

No book has examined so deeply and closely the impact of major crisis (in this case COVID-19) on:

The travel & tourism industry which the global population relies on

Leaders - having to lead through a serious, never seen before, 2+yr sustained crisis

Followers – staff / stakeholders / families / communities having to remain hopeful while being isolated

Ways of using a crisis as a way of strengthening one’s own personal strength as well as that of the people around them
And no author has been given such:

Direct access to some of the highest level, highest profile, yet extremely private leaders across the globe, including

Willie Walsh - Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Julia Simpson - President and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Paul Griffiths - CEO, Dubai Airports Authority (DAA)

Puneet Chhatwal - CEO, India Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)

Exposure to the most intimate thoughts, struggles, hopes and past challenges of these leaders
Uniquely, the book captures lessons learnt from COVID-19, making it a valuable tool in:

Understanding of the imperatives of effective crisis leadership,

Identifying specific behaviours key to getting oneself, and others, through a crisis,

understanding and aiding mental health impacts of crisis in the workplace, at every level right from the top down.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to Anita for ensuring that lessons learned are not lost. This book will inspire and empower leaders around the world to answer their call to leadership, while at the same time inspiring global youth, enabling a stronger and more resilient future not just for tourism but for humanity.”
ZURAB POLOLIKASHVILI, SECRETARY GENERAL, WORLD TOURISM