Katie Goar releases leadership book aimed at women seeking influence

Katie Goar’s new book, Audacity: Go From Wannabe Leader to the Leader Others Wannabe, is out now through Forbes Books and available on Amazon and major booksellers. The book frames self-trust, resilience and decisive action as the real path to leadership for women who are waiting for permission to move up.

Why it matters: - Katie Goar’s book targets women who feel stuck waiting for a title, credential or outside validation before leading. - The message has practical stakes for career advancement, self-doubt and transitions, especially for women carrying responsibility for others. - The book argues that influence can be built through action, judgment and ownership, not perfection.

What happened: - “Audacity: Go From Wannabe Leader to the Leader Others Wannabe” by Katie Goar is now available on Amazon and at major booksellers. - Forbes Books published the title. - The release was posted on behalf of Forbes Books, operated by Advantage Media Group under license.

The details: - Goar is president of Quadel, a nationwide affordable housing consulting and training organization. - The book draws on Goar’s path from childhood homelessness to executive leadership. - Goar argues that leadership starts with trusting yourself, taking ownership of your choices and solving the problems in front of you. - The book encourages readers to separate temporary circumstances from identity. - Goar also pushes readers to reconsider internal narratives that can limit growth. - The book says resilience can be strengthened through everyday choices. - The book presents asking for help as a sign of strength. - The book encourages professionals to act before they feel fully ready. - Goar combines personal stories with accessible concepts aimed at helping readers build leadership momentum. - Goar describes influence as an ongoing practice of solving problems, using sound judgment, empowering others and accepting responsibility for impact.

Between the lines: - The book positions self-trust as a leadership skill, not a personality trait. - That framing challenges a common assumption that leadership depends on formal permission or being fully prepared. - Tanya S. Dempsey, co-CEO of CSG Advisors, said Goar turned her experience with housing scarcity into a career with broad reach across organizations, communities and future leaders. - Dempsey said the book is a road map and a reminder that resilience can become influence.

What's next: - The book is likely to be used as a guide for women navigating advancement, responsibility and career changes. - Forbes Books continues promoting authors through its selective, invitation-only imprint. - Goar also hosts the podcast ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, a Forbes collaboration, where she discusses leadership, innovation and affordable housing.

The bottom line: - “Audacity” argues that women do not need to wait to be chosen. They can build leadership by trusting themselves and acting now.