Tim Roberts’ new book puts workplace behaviour under the spotlight, asking managers to focus less on authority and more on the example they set.
WARRINGTON, UK. October 5th, 2026 – Leadership is often associated with job titles, strategic decisions and big moments, but author and leadership coach Tim Roberts believes the real test happens in much smaller interactions. His new book, How to Lead by Example NOT by Job Title: Break the Mould – Volume 3, examines the everyday choices and behaviours that can determine whether people genuinely trust and respect the person leading them.
The book starts with a simple premise: people do not follow a job title, they follow the example a leader sets. It is the third book released by the writer.
Roberts discusses situations that happen in the reality of working life: the meeting where patience disappears, the difficult conversation that gets avoided, the reaction under pressure and the everyday behaviours that determine whether people trust their leader. The author argues that these are the moments where leadership can really be seen by colleagues.
The book challenges readers to recognise that leadership is built through repeated everyday interactions, rather than occasional grand gestures. It encourages leaders to consider the reputation they have when they are not in the room.
Speaking of his latest book, Tim Roberts, 48, said: “This book is different to anything I’ve written before because it has been based on a lot of real-life experiences and includes coaching tools that work.
“I wanted to ensure that this isn’t a book that is only read once, it is something that can be kept close by as a reference point and guide throughout a career. It can be used to help with everyday situations such as preparing a manager for a difficult conversation or helping to improve morale in a team meeting.
“I spent more than 20 years working in various senior leadership and learning and development roles inside fast-moving organisations. So, most importantly, this book is based on tales of the real world. I know that it works.”
Using real-world stories, coaching questions and practical exercises, Roberts uses his latest book to invite readers to hold a mirror up to their own leadership instead of concentrating on what everybody else needs to change.
One of the book’s examples shares Roberts’ encounter with “Karen”, a Vice President whose behaviour during a leadership workshop provides a strong case study in what happens when status replaces self-awareness.
Her story introduces wider questions about trust, culture, accountability and the organisational consequences of leaders failing to recognise the impact they have on the people around them.
Roberts makes clear that the book is not designed to be read once and forgotten. Readers are encouraged to pause, reflect, challenge their own behaviour and put what they learn into practice in real workplace conversations.
The book has already attracted praise from leadership, HR and organisational-development professionals.
The book is written for people who are frustrated with leadership advice that sounds impressive but changes very little, people who care about how they show up as leaders and those prepared to recognise that sometimes the biggest barrier to improving their leadership may be themselves.
Ultimately, Roberts argues that better leadership doesn’t require people to become somebody else. It requires them to become more intentional about the person they already are, because their teams are already taking their lead from the example they set.
One quote best sums up the book: ‘People don’t follow your job title, they follow YOU’.
The two previous books published by Tim Roberts are titled “Break the Mould” and “How To Shut Down Your BS Factory.”
His latest book has been published by Rosewater Publishing, and is available to purchase now from Amazon.
