
"This Is Day One" redefines leadership as daily choices, not titles. Debuting at #6 on Wall Street Journal's bestseller list, Drew Dudley's approach has sparked 8 million views on his TEDx talk. What "lollipop moment" might transform your understanding of influence forever?
Drew Dudley, bestselling author of This is Day One: A Practical Guide to Leadership That Matters, is a globally recognized leadership educator and keynote speaker specializing in values-driven organizational culture.
Blending personal experiences with bipolar disorder and weight struggles into his work, Dudley’s book distills leadership into daily intentional actions, informed by his 15+ years designing leadership programs like the University of Toronto’s acclaimed initiative and advising Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, American Express, and the United Nations.
His viral TEDx Talk “Everyday Leadership,” named among TIME’s “7 Speeches That Will Make You a Better Leader,” has surpassed 8 million views, reinforcing his philosophy that leadership begins with small, consistent choices. A Wall Street Journal bestseller, This is Day One has been embraced by executives, educators, and teams worldwide.
Dudley further shares insights through his Day One Leadership newsletter and workshops, empowering readers to build self-respect alongside professional success.
This Is Day One by Drew Dudley is a practical guide to leadership centered on daily actions and personal values. It introduces the "Day One" concept—repeating foundational leadership behaviors daily—and emphasizes that leadership isn’t about titles but small, impactful choices. The book includes frameworks to identify core values, stories from diverse leaders, and insights from Dudley’s TEDx talk on "lollipop moments" (small actions with life-changing impacts).
This book is ideal for anyone seeking to lead authentically, whether in corporate roles, education, or daily life. It’s particularly valuable for those intimidated by traditional leadership models, as Dudley simplifies the process into daily, actionable steps. Executives, teachers, and individuals navigating personal growth will find tools to align behavior with values and inspire others.
Yes, This Is Day One is praised for its relatable storytelling and actionable advice. It’s a Wall Street Journal and Toronto Star bestseller, blending personal anecdotes (like Dudley’s battles with obesity and alcohol) with universally applicable strategies. Readers call it "life-changing" for its focus on incremental progress over grand gestures.
"Day One" refers to continuously recommitting to your core leadership values, treating each day as a fresh start. Dudley provides a roadmap to discover these values (e.g., accountability, empathy) and embed them into daily habits. This approach aims to build consistency, productivity, and fulfillment by focusing on small, repeatable actions rather than long-term goals.
Dudley redefines leadership as everyday actions that empower others, regardless of position. He argues most leadership comes from people who don’t see themselves as leaders—like a student whose joke kept a peer from dropping out. Leadership is framed as a series of choices to live your values and create "lollipop moments" for others.
A "lollipop moment" is a small, unintentional act that significantly impacts someone’s life. The term comes from Dudley’s TEDx talk: as a college advisor, he jokingly gave a lollipop to a student, who then credited this gesture with convincing her to stay in school. These moments highlight how everyday kindness can catalyze profound change.
Dudley openly discusses overcoming alcohol dependence, obesity, and personal tragedies. He ties these struggles to his leadership philosophy, showing how daily commitments to health and resilience shaped his understanding of impactful, value-driven living.
The book outlines a three-step process:
This framework helps readers build habits that increase commitment, pride, and influence.
Unlike leadership books focused on CEOs or theory, This Is Day One prioritizes accessibility. It shares insights from cab drivers, custodians, and athletes, offering a grassroots perspective. While books like Atomic Habits target behavior change broadly, Dudley specifically links habits to leadership identity.
Notable quotes include:
These lines underscore the book’s themes of agency and incremental impact.
While widely praised, some may find its focus on small actions lacks scale for organizational change. However, critics acknowledge its strength lies in democratizing leadership, making it ideal for individuals seeking personal growth over systemic strategies.
In an era of remote work and rapid change, the book’s emphasis on adaptability and daily resilience resonates. It addresses modern challenges like burnout by advocating for sustainable, value-driven habits—making it a timely resource for leaders navigating uncertainty or cultural shifts.
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Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
NEVER have a second day of work.
What if you treated every single day as Day One of your leadership journey?
Our character is revealed not in extraordinary days but in ordinary ones.
We hope to matter rather than plan to matter.
Leadership isn't about achieving impressive goals but about how we behave.
Break down key ideas from This Is Day One into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
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What if the most profound leadership moments of your life weren't the ones you planned? Drew Dudley's "This Is Day One" challenges our conventional understanding of leadership. It's not about titles or commanding armies-it's about consistent daily behaviors aligned with your core values. The book has captivated Silicon Valley executives and university programs alike, with Dudley's TED Talk on "everyday leadership" garnering over 5 million views. At its heart lies a revolutionary question: What if you treated every single day as Day One of your leadership journey? This approach provides a fresh start each morning to choose leadership behaviors that reflect who you truly want to be, rather than accumulating the cynicism that comes from years of routine. When we embrace this mindset, we can approach our responsibilities with renewed commitment, forgive yesterday's failures, and focus on today's opportunities.