Becoming the Compass
Is Available Now on Amazon!
A powerful leadership fable by Ryan Crittenden, PhD
#1 New Release in Leadership Training!
Lead from within. Inspire lasting change.
A powerful leadership fable for emerging and evolving leaders navigating complexity, burnout, or a lack of clarity.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions—and becoming the kind of person others want to follow.
In Becoming the Compass, Ryan Crittenden, Ph.D., invites you into the fictional world of Horizon Valley—where a group of relatable, imperfect characters wrestle with the heart of leadership. At its core is Alex, a rising leader navigating chaos, mentorship, and self-discovery.
Through their stories, you'll uncover four transformative principles—each one grounded in trust, clarity, and resilience—that will forever reshape how you lead others, and how you lead yourself.
The Four Principles of Leadership Maturity
Relational Strength
Build meaningful trust by putting people before performance.
Authentic Presence
Lead with integrity by staying true to your values.
Purposeful Resilience
Stay grounded and hopeful even in uncertainty
Growth Through Challenges
Use adversity as a catalyst for reflection, learning, and transformation
Step into Horizon Valley
Alex
A rising leader ready for more, but unsure how to grow.
Casey
A wise mentor who leads through presence, not power.
Howard
A toxic leader driven by fear, control, and ego.
Jordan
A quiet contributor paralyzed by indecision and doubt.
Their stories will challenge you to reflect, shift, and rise—and they’re just the beginning.
As the journey unfolds, you'll meet other characters whose experiences deepen the leadership lessons.
Becoming the Compass is for you if you are:
An emerging leader craving clarity and confidence.
A team lead trying to move from burnout to balance.
A coach. trainer, or HR leader building stronger leadership pipelines.
Someone who believes leadership should start with connection, not control.
Meet the Author
Ryan Crittenden, Ph.D., is a leadership coach, Army veteran, and founder of XL Coaching and Development. With a doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and certifications in Gallup CliftonStrengths, Working Genius, and the John Maxwell Team, Ryan helps leaders discover the power of leading authentically—from who they are, not who they’re told to be.
Blending strengths-based development with emotional intelligence, Ryan guides emerging and experienced leaders alike to build trust, navigate uncertainty, and grow with purpose. His coaching philosophy is deeply personal: leadership starts with connection and grows through clarity and courage.
Becoming the Compass is Ryan’s first leadership fable, written for those ready to break free from toxic leadership and rediscover what truly matters. When he’s not coaching or writing, Ryan enjoys life in Colorado with his wife and two sons—where faith, family, and hard-earned lessons shape his approach to leadership and life.
Becoming the Compass is out now. Don't miss out.
Available for purchase through Amazon!
Want to go beyond the book?
XL Coaching and Development equips leaders and organizations to grow through strengths-based coaching, team development, and custom leadership experiences.
Whether you're looking to bring Becoming the Compass to your team or deepen your leadership journey, XL Coaching offers workshops, training programs, and 1:1 coaching designed to help you lead from who you are.
