Tamra Ryan is a nationally recognized speaker, multi-award-winning author, and leadership expert who is redefining what it means to lead with purpose and compassion.
From 2003 to 2025, she served as the CEO of Women's Bean Project, a social enterprise transforming lives through transitional employment. Today, she is dedicated to helping others feel empowered to become leaders worth following. As the Coors Economic Mobility Fellow for Common Sense Institute Colorado, she engages in critical policy discussions aimed at fostering economic opportunity and equity. She is also a sought-after speaker known for her ability to inspire audiences with actionable insights on leadership, social enterprise, and building organizations and people that thrive.
Her work has earned her recognition as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado, a Titan 100 CEO, Social Entrepreneur of the Year, one of the Ten Most Influential Women in Business, and one of the Most Influential CEOs in 2023.
Tamra is the author of two acclaimed books: The Third Law, an award-winning exploration of the societal and internal barriers marginalized women face in breaking cycles of poverty, and Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following.
A sought-after thought leader and media voice, Tamra’s journey, from corporate executive to nationally recognized changemaker, highlights the urgent need for leadership that empowers, uplifts, and creates lasting change. This one-on-one interview shares Tamra’s background and experience writing Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following.
Tell us about Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following.
Unlock the secrets to becoming the kind of leader people choose to follow.
For years, I watched leaders struggle with the same frustrations: unmotivated employees, lack of buy-in, and the sinking feeling that no one works as hard or cares as much as they do. During my tenure as the CEO of the Women’s Bean Project, I discovered firsthand that empathetic, collaborative leadership isn’t just effective, it’s essential for driving both social impact and organizational success. My approach to leadership earned recognition as one of the most influential women in business and shaped the framework I share in Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following.
The truth is, the old command-and-control leadership styles no longer work. Today’s most effective leaders succeed by showing vision, integrity, courage, and emotional intelligence, qualities that inspire people to willingly follow. Through 16 practical lessons, I show readers how to:
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Communicate a vision that excites, engages, and earns buy-in
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Build lasting trust through authenticity and integrity
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Lead with courage by showing vulnerability and humility
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Create a culture of belonging, empowerment, and shared success
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Inspire teams to achieve more than they ever thought possible
So, whether you’re an experienced executive, a first-time manager, or someone aspiring to lead, Followship offers actionable insights and practical strategies to navigate today’s challenges and elevate your leadership to the next level.
What inspired you to write Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following?
Most leadership books focus on the leader, but rarely on what makes people want to follow. With Followship, I wanted to introduce a leadership philosophy that creates meaningful relationships with followers through four key pillars for leaders to achieve results, transform workplace culture and succeed in a trust-deficient world.
These pillars are:
1. Vision: Leaders with vision create a sense of purpose that drives engagement, unity and motivation.
2. Integrity: Consistent, ethical behavior builds trust which is the foundation for authentic relationships and sustainable leadership.
3. Courage: Bold, confident decision-making inspires teams to embrace change and overcome obstacles.
4. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and responding to the emotional needs of your team fosters an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone feels valued.
By focusing on these pillars, Followship shows that leadership is about inspiring others to want to follow, collaborate, and achieve extraordinary results together.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
If there’s one message I hope readers take from Followship, it’s this: effective leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about inspiring others to want to follow. The book offers a compassionate, practical framework that equips both emerging and experienced leaders to build confidence, embody the behaviors that earn trust, and create teams that are motivated, empowered, and capable of achieving extraordinary results. Ultimately, it’s about transforming leaders into the kind of people others are inspired by and proud to follow.
Purchasing the Book
Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Book Excellence writes, “Followship is a masterclass in leading with authenticity, empowering readers to inspire loyalty, spark purpose, and create a team that thrives together.”
The book is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online and local bookstores. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS6FHXLN
To connect with Tamra and learn more about her work, visit: www.tamraryan.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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