This book is a COMPASS to help new and experienced leaders alike understand what’s expected from leaders today, grasp what it means to lead, and discover how to lead well. This clear and practical leadership excellence operating manual provides:
—Actionable insights for getting things done effectively and proactively.
—How to use “soft skills” to navigate thought-provoking conversations.
—Defining the roles, responsibilities, and scope of an effective leader.
—Helpful tips, tools, templates and worksheets that can be readily leveraged to streamline tasks, and gain confidence.
—Inspiring words of wisdom to keep you focused, organized, and on target!
Common Sense Leadership: A Practical Guide to Making Leading and Managing Teams Simple is the book you’ve been waiting for!

About the author
Joan M. Clark is a seasoned human resources executive, leadership expert, certified coach, and consultant with over 30 years of experience helping teams and executives navigate the complexities of leadership and achieve exceptional results. Throughout her career, she has honed her ability to distill complex leadership challenges into practical, actionable strategies that can be applied by anyone, from new leaders to seasoned executives. Joan is known for her straightforward, no-nonsense approach and passion for helping emerging leaders find their footing, while guiding experienced leaders in sharpening their skills and building high-performing teams.
As the Founder and CEO of JM Clark & Company, a strategic coaching and consulting firm, Joan specializes in partnering with executives and organizations to drive extraordinary results through innovative leadership, inclusion, and organizational alignment. Her expertise spans coaching, organization design and development, and crafting customized solutions that foster engagement and growth.
An award-winning HR executive and certified coach, Joan’s leadership program, Catch the W.A.V.E. (Women Adding Value Everywhere), empowers women to become the best versions of themselves, both professionally and personally.
Joan recognized the need for a practical, leadership guide to help leaders at all stages of their journey—whether they are aspiring leaders—or experienced professionals looking to improve their leadership skills. Common Sense Leadership: A Practical Guide to Making Leading and Managing Teams Simple was created for individuals across all sectors, including corporate, nonprofit, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and civic organizations. Joan envisions this book being used by leaders, managers, and talent developers to guide discussions and develop high-potential talent, ultimately leading to stronger teams and more effective leadership.
With a talent for synthesizing complex information into clear, actionable guidance, Joan is a sought-after speaker and consultant. She has worked globally across diverse industries, offering valuable insights into what makes organizations and leaders successful. This book is the culmination of her decades of experience, aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders.
When she’s not coaching or writing, Joan enjoys time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and discovering new culinary delights. She is passionate about connecting with leaders from all walks of life to understand their challenges, development needs, and successes.
Joan invites readers to connect with her for feedback, questions, or to learn more about her coaching, consulting, and speaking engagements. You can reach her at visit jmclark. com. You can also find her on Facebook and LinkedIn.