Anyone that ever met Walt Rakowich knew right away that they were dealing with someone who was genuine. In Transfluence, Walt has distilled his transparent approach to leadership into fundamental principles that anyone can benefit by embracing. Written from the vantage point of a corporate leader, the three pillars described in the book of Humility, Honesty, & Heart can apply to all of us whether you are a corporate titan, rising leader, or coach of your kid’s little league team. Transfluence should be required reading in every business school, athletic department, and workplace in the country.

This book is superbly well written and thoroughly researched. It is definitely written by the solid man who I reported to and came to admire during the time we worked together. This book is written from the heart. I found it to be very inspirational and motivational and I hope it will be read widely by a new crop of managers who will benefit from Walt’s insights to manage their companies and lead their people during these extraordinary turbulent, difficult times. So well done. May it be as successful as it deserves to be.

I was Walt’s CFO at Prologis and experienced first-hand his practice of Transfluence. I believe anyone in, or seeking to be in, a leadership position should read this book. It provides tremendous food for thought and substantial insight into the qualities and perspectives that help form great Leaders.

I read a lot of business books in my line of work, and few have assembled the winning combination of storytelling and proven practices in the way Transfluence does. I found myself engaged in every chapter with a new story that follows Walt’s life and the hard-won lessons I could draw from each of his experiences. I particularly liked the chapter on fear and the specific anxieties that wreak havoc on leaders. Walt’s humble discoveries about what it takes to lead in a crisis were eye-opening, and his convictions about vulnerability are inspiring. I hope that others who read this book discover that the future of leadership is about humanizing your approach rather than remaining at a comfortable distance. A must-read for new and seasoned leaders alike.

I was again reminded of Roosevelt’s assertion as I began to read this book in which Walt Rakowich shares what he has learned from his efforts to “influence others to great things.” Leaders must earn the trust and respect of those entrusted to their care. Those who fail to do that cannot attract, much less retain followers. Rakowich correctly stresses the importance of what he characterizes as the “3-H Core” of humility, honesty, and heart. All organizations need leadership at all levels and in all areas of the given enterprise. Without developing this core, it is almost impossible to earn the trust and respect of others…

Books by former CEOs often are heavy on personal experience and light on practical approaches leaders can implement. Transfluence has a clear framework and applicable insights about leadership, especially leadership during uncertain times. The timing of this book couldn’t be better, in fact. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who live out what Rakowich calls his 3H-Core — humility, heart, and honesty. The author goes deep into how to develop those qualities by addressing prides and fears and then how to live them out in the current leadership climates.