Leadership strategist Gilmore has published his second book, "Competent Leaders Know How to Succeed," which argues that genuine leadership competence stems from integrity, careful planning, and challenging complacency. Drawing on decades of public-sector experience, the book positions leadership as a function of strategic foresight and ethical discipline rather than charisma or positional authority.
The central thesis maintains that leadership without planning constitutes management by chance. Gilmore outlines essential tools for competent leaders, including personal planning agendas, third-party evaluations, and data-driven decision-making. He emphasizes that budgets and policies serve as moral documents reflecting institutional values, writing that "integrity is the bedrock that holds everything together." The book asserts that when leaders embrace transparency and strategic planning, real reform becomes not only possible but inevitable.
Practical chapters address the realities of public governance, covering council and board management, complacency elimination, staff alignment through training and communication, and building proactive cultures resistant to political manipulation. Real-world case studies provide instruction on the resilience needed to lead under political pressure, including examples from uncovering local corruption to modernizing utility governance. These cases demonstrate how leaders can alter organizational trajectories by combining deliberate planning with moral courage.
Available in print and digital formats through Parker Publishers, the book serves as both manual and memoir, inviting readers into the author's experiences confronting entrenched systems while championing ethical governance. Whether for city managers, board members, executives, or emerging leaders, the publication offers a roadmap for planning boldly, acting ethically, and driving lasting organizational renewal. The work builds on a two-decade-old philosophy that leadership requires more than authority—it demands foresight, discipline, and transparency to achieve meaningful reform.
For HR vendors and talent management professionals, this publication arrives at a critical juncture. Organizations across sectors face increasing pressure to demonstrate ethical leadership, transparent governance, and strategic workforce planning. Gilmore's emphasis on integrity as foundational and planning as non-negotiable directly addresses growing stakeholder demands for accountability. The book's practical frameworks for staff alignment, training, and culture building offer vendors concrete methodologies to discuss with clients seeking to develop leadership pipelines and resilient organizations.
The focus on data-driven decision-making and third-party evaluations aligns with current HR technology trends toward analytics and objective assessment tools. Vendors specializing in leadership development, assessment platforms, or governance consulting may find the book's principles supportive of their solutions. Furthermore, the case studies on overcoming political pressure and complacency provide real-world context that resonates with HR leaders navigating complex organizational dynamics and change management initiatives.
By framing budgets and policies as moral documents, the book elevates discussions beyond compliance to core values—a perspective increasingly relevant as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria gain prominence in organizational evaluation. This shift creates opportunities for vendors whose offerings help clients align operations with stated values. Ultimately, Gilmore's work reinforces that competent leadership is a deliberate practice requiring structured tools and ethical commitment, providing a substantive resource for vendors engaged in developing human capital and organizational effectiveness.
