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Introducing

Leader
By Accident

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An unthinkable tragedy.
A leadership baptism by fire.
The journey it inspired.

Leader By Accident is a conversation offering invaluable lessons of character, perseverance, and hope. It leaves one transformed and inspired. Timely and timeless, it’s a necessary read.”

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, U.S. House of Representatives, Maryland, 2nd District

A very rare book that packs so much wisdom (and wit) about leadership and life into so few pages. I couldn’t put it down.”

Robert M. Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense 2006-2011, National President of the Boy Scouts of America 2014-2016.

Available now!

Carol Komorowski
Carol Komorowski
January 20, 2024
Leadership through Faith, Hope & Love Jim does a great job taking you through the extraordinary difficulties that he encountered. A response to crisis and tragedy that at varying degrees non of us escape and much we are unprepared but through Faith, Hope and Love can navigate. I highly recommend you read this book or as I did listened to in Jim's own passionate voice (Audible). A story of Hope!
Evan's mom
Evan's mom
August 22, 2023
Great Inspiring Book This book was gifted to my son when he Earned his Eagle Scout with troop 328. After he read this book, I read it as well and it i such an encouraging and inspiring read. Tragedy can break us or make us stronger. This book shows a true leader in the making. An encouraging read for my boys who are trying to figure out who they are.
Wayne
Wayne
July 31, 2023
Leader by accident Great read!
Denise Griffitts
Denise Griffitts
March 16, 2023
Leadership, personal growth, and resilience "Leader by Accident - Lessons in Leadership, Loss, and Life" by Jim Rafferty is a powerful and inspiring book that offers invaluable lessons in character, perseverance, and hope. Rafferty's leadership journey is a compelling one, and his experiences leading a Boy Scout troop after a shooting tragedy in his community are particularly moving.The lessons he offers in the book are not just applicable to leadership in a professional context but are also relevant to personal growth and development. His emphasis on self-reflection, self-awareness, and a growth mindset are valuable insights for anyone seeking to improve themselves and their leadership skills.
JonSRennie
JonSRennie
January 19, 2023
A powerful story How do you lead after a tragedy, especially if you've never done it before? This is a powerful story of life lessons learned by stepping out of your comfort zone and stepping into the unknown. This book will impact how you think of leadership and life.
Jason Bory
Jason Bory
November 11, 2022
Wit & Wisdom Wit & Wisdom - I couldn’t put the book down. Jim is a phenomenal writer.
George A. Huttlin
George A. Huttlin
July 23, 2022
Words to live by A horrific event thrust the author into a position of leadership outside his comfort zone. He presents the lessons learned in this well-written, easy read. Get the book: you'll be all the better for it. These are indeed words to live by.
Tammy Gray
Tammy Gray
April 21, 2022
Life defining moments This is an inspiring book about how a tragedy caused Jim to step out of his comfort zone and become the new leader of a Boy Scout troop. We can all relate to many of the life lessons that he shared with the boys. He describes how much he learned and how it became a life defining experience. His honest and humorous approach is entertaining while thought provoking. Quick read that I couldn’t put down!
Jocelyn
Jocelyn
March 4, 2022
Remarkable and insightful! We can all draw something valuable and useful from his humorous stories, sage Scout minutes and leadership experiences. These beautiful insights are not just for leaders but for our current times and societal challenges.

Praise for Leader by Accident

"The adage that good things come in small packages is proven yet again by Jim Rafferty's book 'Leader by Accident.' It is a terrific book about how to be a leader but what makes it so special is that it is also about how to live a life with meaning for oneself and for others ... It is a very rare book that packs so much wisdom (and wit) about leadership and life into so few pages. I couldn't put it down."
Robert M. Gates
U.S. Secretary of Defense 2006-2011, National President of the Boy Scouts of America 2014-2016.
“The unimaginable tragedy that upturned our community inspired Jim Rafferty’s journey through the perils and rewards of leadership. Leader by Accident is a conversation offering invaluable lessons of character, perseverance, and hope. It leaves one transformed and inspired. Timely and timeless, it's a necessary read.”
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
United States House of Representatives, Maryland, 2nd District and Life Scout
"With profound leadership lessons and far-reaching ramifications about the value of going beyond one's comfort zone, Leader By Accident is highly recommended.”
Midwest Book Review
"Jim’s book will make you realize we all can be leaders by accident. His personal journey is very relatable, with inspiring anecdotes that helped shape his life. His candid thoughts will make you think about taking that first step and having no regrets."
Neil Hartman
Award-winning television sportscaster and current Director for the Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact at Rowan University
The Author

Jim Rafferty

The story of how an unexpected volunteer leadership role fueled an even more unexpected journey into entrepreneurship forms the basis of Leader by Accident. I learned so many lessons along the way, and in the book I share those lessons and what I think they can mean to you. Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoy it.

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