How to be Second
Being Second is a Destination, not a Stepping Stone

Chief Operating Officer. Chief of Staff. General Manager. Second in Command. The job title can vary. But there is something that unifies these roles when you see them performed well. It’s a particular kind of person with a particular kind of wiring, and a particular kind of person whose strengths are amplified when working in a leadership duo. Who is this person, you might ask? They’re called Seconds. And this book is dedicated to them. In How to be Second, Nathan Young and David Hartman explore all sorts of questions about Seconds: Who is a Second? How do you know if you’re a Second? What are some strengths and challenges of Seconds? Why does my organization need a Second (or multiple Seconds)? How do I best work with or for a Second? How do I hire a great Second? Seconds, at their core, are valuable leaders. But their leadership shows up best and is activated by working for another leader. If you are a Second, a person who might need a Second, or if you're neither... leadership won't look the same to you after reading this book.