Business leaders navigating an increasingly unpredictable workplace have no shortage of books, podcasts, courses and technology tools promising to improve their leadership skills. But Don Gregori believes many professionals are still missing something more practical: a comprehensive guide that addresses both the challenges of running a business and the personal growth required to lead effectively.
Gregori, chief operating officer of First Factory, has released The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery, a new book designed to give founders, managers and executives actionable strategies without the usual management jargon.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in operational transformation across startups and Fortune 500 companies, Gregori organizes the book into 61 concise chapters covering six areas of modern leadership. The categories include brand building, leadership, self-mastery and other challenges facing professionals as they attempt to build organizations and manage teams in a rapidly changing business environment.
Each chapter is structured around practical takeaways. Readers receive a one-sentence lesson, followed by a specific action they can immediately put into practice. The format is designed to allow readers to work through the book from beginning to end or skip directly to a topic relevant to a current workplace challenge.
Gregori’s approach is also shaped by his background outside the corporate world. In addition to his role at First Factory, he has worked in theater and film and is a SAG-AFTRA member. He draws parallels between performing arts and business leadership, including understanding character motivations, developing narratives and building effective creative teams.
The book is intended for professionals at various stages of their careers, from first-time managers and startup founders to experienced executives and aspiring CEOs.
“The Leadership Challenge” author Barry Z. Posner, Ph.D., has given the book advance praise, calling it “the starting point for anyone serious about leveling up their leadership.”
Gregori also emphasizes that the book is designed to stand on its own rather than function as an introduction to consulting services or additional programs.
The Emergent Leader was published by Torchflame Books on June 16, 2026. It is available in paperback, large print, ebook and audiobook editions.
Gregori currently serves as COO of First Factory, a nearshore software solutions provider headquartered in New York with its primary service office in Costa Rica. The company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for five consecutive years and has also been recognized as an Inc. Magazine Power Partner.
With technology, workplace expectations and business models continuing to evolve, Gregori’s book focuses on a fundamental challenge that remains unchanged: how leaders can build successful organizations while developing the skills and self-awareness needed to navigate disruption.