The Big Black Book of Leadership by Matt Fitzsimmons is a comprehensive leadership development resource designed for supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders, with a particular focus on the hospitality industry (cafes, restaurants, and bars).
Structured across four courses, the book covers the essential leadership journey: Introduction to Leadership, Self Management, Managing Others, and Building a Team. It blends practical frameworks (like the difference between supervisors, managers and leaders, management styles, and business drivers) with inspiring stories of great leaders throughout history, from Alexander the Great to Nelson Mandela to Winston Churchill.
 
What sets this resource apart is its hands-on approach. It's not just theory; it includes exercises, reflection questions, and real-world scenarios that help readers develop their own leadership capabilities. Topics range from motivation vs inspiration, accountability vs responsibility, the "five + one" compliment ratio, to understanding the P&L and drivers of business performance.
Whether you're stepping into your first supervisory role or looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this book provides both the "why" and the "how" of effective leadership.