Build Kickass Teams: Lead Boldly. Hire Intentionally. Forge a Team That Actually Gives a Damn.
by Pete Srodoski
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Build Kickass Teams is a battle-tested guide for leaders ready to stop babysitting dysfunction and start building teams that perform, grow, and last. Written by bestselling author and leadership coach Pete Srodoski, this no-fluff business book delivers a tactical playbook for building high-performing, purpose-driven teams in the real world.
If you're a small business owner, startup founder, or executive tired of doing everything yourself, this book will challenge how you lead-and who you surround yourself with. It's a guide for entrepreneurs who want more than theory. You want results. And you're ready to do the work.
Through real-world examples, hard-won leadership lessons, and practical frameworks, you'll learn how to:
- Attract and hire assets (not liabilities)
- Onboard with intention, not confusion
- Build a culture people actually want to be part of
- Coach and grow your team without micromanaging
- Handle underperformance and toxicity head-on
- Create systems of accountability that drive results
Each chapter ends with a "Monday Morning Playbook" - giving you tools you can implement immediately.
No jargon. No silver bullets. Just a gritty, honest look at what it takes to lead people well.
Whether you're running a small business or leading a growing team, Build Kickass Teams is your field guide for building a resilient, aligned, high-trust culture - and a team you're proud to lead.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781968056032
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Pete Srodoski
- Publisher
- Pathways Press
- Published Date
- July 3, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 272
- Physical Info
- 9 in L x 6 in W (1.46 lb)
As I’m getting ready to graduate in June and step into the real world, I’ve been thinking a lot about the kind of leader I want to be. It's not just about a title, but more so, how I will work with people. Build Kickass Teams hit me like a reality check and a pep talk rolled into one. The book is sharp, direct, and asks us to face the harsh reality that a team’s success often comes down to the standards you set, as well as the ones you let slide. Instead of theories written like a bunch of bullet points, the book hands us clear, actionable steps that we can start using before our first day on the job.What I loved most is how it makes leadership feel doable without watering it down. The actual examples form the real world and the practical tools it gives us, especially the action plans at the end of chapters, made me see how I could apply this even as a new grad starting in an entry-level role. What I learned, hopefully, is that it’s not just about managing people. What it's mostly about is working with others to create a workplace where everyone shows up ready to give their very best. If you want an actionable guide to building a team that’s engaged, accountable, and invested, this book is the kind of game book you keep with you and will no doubt use a lot.
A great motivating guide for small business owners who want to lead by creating engaged teams. The book stands out for its clear and actionable strategies on hiring intentionally, fostering accountability, and cultivating a culture where people care about their work. Reminds me of another great book, The Hard Thing about Hard Things.
This is a proactive and a very helpful guide for directors to recruit leading skills, foster ownership, and encourage change. I love that it shares these actionable devices and very simple models, it’s a blueprint for creating successful, high-performing groups.
This isn't just theoretical advice; it's a practical guide for leaders who genuinely want results. The emphasis on clarity, expressed in the idea that "Clarity is kindness", resonated with me. Many team issues arise from unclear expectations. I’ve read numerous leadership books, and most feel like recycled TED Talks stretched into 300 pages. "Build Kickass Teams" cuts through that noise.The author’s no-nonsense approach is refreshing, especially the "Monday Morning Playbook" sections that compel you to apply the ideas immediately. The scripts for having difficult conversations are invaluable.The principles outlined in the book, such as "hire slow, fire fast" and "onboarding equals momentum," are universal. If your team feels stuck, this book will be a great jumpstart.
Pete Srodoski doesn’t waste time with fluff, he dives right into real talk on how to hire smarter, lead with guts, and actually build a team that gives a damn. Whether you're juggling startup chaos or scaling a small business, his frameworks are clear, his advice is battle-tested, and his one-liners stick with you. It’s bold, practical, and genuinely energizing, perfect if you’re ready to lead on purpose and get results that last.
