Alexa Young, CA
Wow! This book is captivating and hard to put down. Each page pulls you in, leaving you eager for more. A must!
Morgan James, NY
I loved the valuable leadership nuggets and the helpful toolkit. Definitely a 5-star resource for young non profit leaders like me.
mjohnsonceo.com
Lisa Driver, MI
The story about his wife, it captured emotions and brought me to tears. It made me ensure I keep balance with my family and work.
WELCOME
"The Audacity to Lead" is an essential read for anyone in leadership roles, whether in business or non-profits. My book encourages you to embrace boldness and creativity as you navigate your leadership journey. Within its pages, you'll uncover valuable strategies to inspire your team and effect change, with a leadership toolkit, reflective questions, and recent stories of philanthropy in action. Don't miss out on the chance to elevate your skills, grab a copy of the book, and let it be your guide to transformative success!
Michael Johnson
Leading During a Crisis:
More Stories on Media Page
In The Audacity to Lead, Michael Johnson demonstrates that authentic leadership is defined by courage and compassion, especially in moments of crisis. In 2020, amid nationwide division and heightened racial tension, Johnson exemplified leadership through empathy, connection, and decisive action. One notable moment came when he received a call from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry regarding a racially charged issue, reflecting a shared commitment to healing and humanity.
Johnson’s experiences show that authentic leadership is not about titles or power. It is about stepping forward in difficult moments, building bridges, and exercising discernment and integrity even when faced with criticism. For example, during a town hall, he coordinated with Ahmaud Arbery’s mother and actor Omari Hardwick, some community members in Brunswick, Georgia, expressed outrage over his involvement, given the charged emotions surrounding the young man’s killers. Similarly, after the Ferguson unrest, some criticized Johnson for raising funds to support youth in another state, questioning why resources were being moved outside of Wisconsin.
Even efforts to promote peace and rebuild communities sparked tension. Activists were upset when Johnson hired peacekeepers and raised funds to restore downtown areas affected by the George Floyd protests. Yet through each challenge, Johnson stayed committed to creating dialogue, justice, and healing, showing that leadership often requires courage, empathy, and integrity, navigating controversy.
Other examples include Johnson and comedian Dave Chappelle assisting families in need in Springfield, Ohio, and the scrutiny he faced after being invited by the Mayor of St. Louis and the Urban League CEO to help following Michael Brown's killing in Missouri. These experiences, highlighted throughout the book, illustrate how leaders can act decisively even amid criticism to bring about meaningful change.
_edited.jpg)
_edited_edited_edited.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
_edited.jpg)
Why this book is for women too...
"Approximately 20% of The Audacity to Lead is about love and managing priorities. I have been married to Michael for over 20 years, and together we have learned that successful leadership encompasses effective communication and a willingness to listen, which enables us to lead at work and at home in a faith-filled manner." - Toya W. Johnson
Under Pressure, I Listened and Led America’s First Statue of an African American Woman on State Capitol Grounds
Leading Through Adversity: Turning Protest into a Permanent Symbol of Hope
In the summer of 2020, as protests for racial justice swept the nation following the death of George Floyd, emotions ran high, and calls for accountability echoed across every sector of society. In Wisconsin, some activists, frustrated by the pace of change, even called for my removal and launched a Change.org petition demanding I step down.
​
Rather than reacting with anger or retreating, I chose to listen. I saw an opportunity to turn criticism into constructive action. Out of that moment of tension came an idea to channel the community’s energy into something lasting and unifying. I drafted an open letter proposing that Wisconsin honor Vel Phillips, a true civil rights pioneer whose courage and legacy embodied the fight for equality.
​
That idea caught fire. Through collaboration, perseverance, and collective purpose, we launched a campaign to build the first statue of an African American woman on state capitol grounds in the United States. Together, we raised more than $700,000 to make it happen.
​
Leadership is not about standing tall when things are easy but standing firm when the ground shakes beneath you. This experience reminded me that true leadership is forged in adversity, and that listening, especially when it is hardest, can transform division into progress and protest into purpose.
Turning Tragedy into Action: How Leadership Can Heal Communities
The Audacity to Lead offers a compelling framework for leadership rooted in courage, compassion, and resilience, qualities essential for healing communities in the aftermath of tragedy. Johnson and his team drove hundreds of miles to help strangers and through personal narratives and actionable insights, Johnson demonstrates how leaders can transform adversity into meaningful action.
From Pain to Purpose: How Crisis Shapes Leaders
Thirty years ago, as a student wrestler at the University of Minnesota Morris, I faced one of the most painful moments of my life: the 1993 Halloween Incident. That night, another Black student and I were targeted in a racially motivated assault involving a burning cross, a shotgun, and students dressed in Ku Klux Klan outfits. Initially dismissed by some as a prank, the attack was later recognized as a serious act of racial intimidation. The wrestlers and coaches were held accountable through jail time, probation, and diversity training.
​
I share this story in The Audacity to Lead because it illustrates a core leadership lesson: adversity shapes leaders. The experience left me deeply wounded and, at one point, feeling hopeless after I mismanaged my settlement money, yet it also taught me that authentic leadership is born from resilience. True leaders rise, rebuild, and continue moving forward in the face of pain, using their experiences not only to grow personally but also to guide, inspire, and uplift others.
I was honored that the university has stayed in touch over the years and recently invited me to speak privately with underrepresented students and hundreds of student athletes and staff on campus. I applaud UMN Morris for supporting me during one of the most difficult times in my life and for creating space decades later to acknowledge the past, foster dialogue, and inspire future leaders, which is a sign of real leadership. Watch the video of my return to campus on the university website.
Marching Toward Progress: How Obama’s Early Support Shaped Johnson’s Approach to Leadership and Fundraising highlighted in the book
In The Audacity to Lead, Johnson shares the story of meeting Barack Obama, then a state senator, who played a pivotal role in securing a sponsorship to empower young people navigating the dangers of one of the county’s most violence-stricken neighborhoods. This opportunity became an opportunity for Johnson's foundation on resource development.
My Circle of Influence
In The Audacity to Lead, I thank an extraordinary group of leaders, executive coaches, donors, and all friends who have guided and inspired me over the past decade. They are among my circle of influence: true game changers who shaped my leadership journey as I grew as a husband, father, and CEO. Who is in your circle of influence?
.jpg)
From Harvard to Hometown Impact: Johnson and team raise $35M for the Nation’s Largest Regional Workforce Center for National Organization
In his book, Johnson recounts the creation of the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. With Johnson’s leadership and the encouragement of John McKenzie, they launched a capital campaign that ultimately raised $35 million, the largest standalone endowed campaign for a center of its kind in the history of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Today, this model is being replicated in 22 cities nationwide. The funding enabled the development of a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to training youth in skilled trades, addressing labor shortages, and expanding economic opportunities in the region. Remarkably, the campaign began as a $1 million initiative while Johnson was participating in a leadership program at Harvard Business School. In his book, he highlights a pivotal moment in one of the classes that inspired him to think bigger, bolder, and reimagine what was possible for youth workforce development.
