By: Connie Etemadi

Over her 30-year career in leadership and talent development, Susan Hall has worked with thousands of people across five continents. Amid the growing stress and fast pace of the world, she noticed a common theme emerging: “Is this it? Is this all there is?”

“As leaders, we’re expected to be visionary, resilient, and in control—no matter what challenges we face. There’s often an unspoken pressure to always have the answers, to always be ‘on.’ This can be difficult to maintain, and it can take a toll,” Hall explains.

She notes that this relentless demand can leave even high-achieving leaders trapped in a cycle of second-guessing themselves and settling for the status quo when they feel capable of so much more.

“The real enemy of extraordinary isn’t failure—it’s ‘fine,’” says Hall. “You know, work is fine. Life is fine. You’re fine. But underneath, you’re disengaged, checking the boxes, stuck.”

“It’s okay to feel fine,” she adds. “But if we stay in what I call the ‘Fine Zone’ too long—hesitating, settling, or doubting ourselves—we eventually realize that we’re not as fine as we thought.”

This book helps you move beyond ‘fine’ and into a more meaningful life—one manageable action at a time. It’s not about drastic changes but about identifying small, intentional shifts that can have a significant impact on both your leadership and your life.

Real Tools for Real-Life Leadership

What sets Real-Life Extraordinary apart is its practicality. It’s filled with real-life examples and easy-to-apply tools that you can use right away, even on the busiest of days.

One standout technique is the 2-Minute Success Credo—a quick, powerful mindset tool that helps you define what success looks like for you in any given situation.

“In leadership as in life, we often compare ourselves to the achievements of others,” Hall says. “But we can’t let others define what success looks like for us. True clarity and confidence come when we stop and ask: What does success look like to me, right here, right now?”

For example:

Navigating a major transition? Your Success Credo might be: “Success means staying open to possibilities and leading with curiosity and empathy.”

About to speak to your organization or board? Your Success Credo might be: “Success isn’t about remembering every word you want to say. It’s about connecting and leaving people with something valuable.”

Faced with a high-stakes decision? Your Success Credo could be: “Success doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from asking the right questions, leaning on trusted voices, and letting your values guide the way.”

Leadership Without the Pressure to Be Perfect

Hall’s approach is refreshingly human. She reminds readers that you don’t need to be fearless, famous, or flawless to lead an extraordinary life.

“You just need to be a little more intentional and consistent,” she says. “Great leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.”

And if that sounds like something you don’t have time for, that’s exactly why this book could be helpful.

With her signature warmth, humor, and real-world insight, Hall helps leaders give themselves a break, reconnect with their values, and step into the next version of their already-successful selves—with more clarity and less stress.

For You, Your Team, and Your Work Culture

Hall offers engaging virtual and in-person workshops, along with customized keynotes, that help leaders apply practical tools, lead with integrity and courage, and set themselves—and their teams—up for success.

Whether you’re navigating big change, facing burnout, or simply seeking a more purpose-driven life and leadership, Real-Life Extraordinary offers a personal and professional reset—one that doesn’t require you to overhaul your whole life.

Extraordinary doesn’t always look like a corner office or a standing ovation. More often, it looks like ending the day proud of how you showed up and made a difference for someone else.

Discover how Real-Life Extraordinary can support your leadership journey through engaging workshops and inspiring keynotes. Visit DecideHappy.com to learn more.