The Book
From BAD to BADASS
Forging the Unstoppable Leader
Real leadership lessons. Hard-won experience. A little humor. A lot to think about.
Leadership development does not have to be dry, overly polished, or buried in corporate jargon. From BAD to BADASS is Michelle Reines' candid, practical, and often funny look at the leadership lessons that only come from doing the work for real.
Available in print and on Audible.
Leadership lessons are easier to remember when they make you think — and occasionally make you laugh.
Michelle shares the wins, mistakes, uncomfortable moments, and occasional leadership faceplants that shaped her own leadership journey. The stories are honest, the lessons are practical, and the goal is simple: help leaders become more confident, intentional, and effective with the people they lead.
Simple. Memorable. Human.
What readers will find inside
Real Leadership Stories
Candid, unfiltered accounts of what leadership actually looks like — the wins, the mistakes, and the moments that did not go according to plan.
Practical Lessons You Can Apply Immediately
Ideas and frameworks that work in the real world, not just on paper.
Honest Reflection
A no-nonsense look at what it takes to lead people well — including the parts most leadership books skip.
Humor Without the Corporate Polish
Leadership lessons delivered with the kind of candor and humor that makes them stick.
Leadership Mistakes Worth Learning From
Michelle does not hesitate to tell on herself — and the lessons from her own missteps are some of the most valuable in the book.
#FindTheLesson Treasure Hunts
Reflection exercises at the end of each chapter that help readers connect the stories to their own leadership experience.
Who this book is for
From BAD to BADASS is written for emerging leaders, experienced managers, owners, executives, and anyone who has ever found themselves responsible for people and thought, 'There has to be a better way to do this.'
Whether you are stepping into leadership for the first time or have been doing it for years, the lessons are designed to be practical, relatable, and immediately useful.
What readers are saying
"I've never read a leadership book that was actually a fun read and one I found hard to put down. She has a no-nonsense approach to leadership and doesn't hesitate to tell on herself and share what she learned in the process of her own mistakes. I highly recommend it for anyone who is having challenges with their teams."
Debbie Daniel
Verified Purchase
"I was recently promoted — this book came in handy and not a moment too soon. I'm truly grateful for making this book fun, fast, and easy to understand and immediately apply. I like that she is sugar-free."
Kim Campbell
Verified Purchase
"It is rare to say this about a leadership book but it was fun, interesting, and easy to follow and immediately apply her lessons. I especially think this book would be a must read for up and coming leaders. The Treasure Hunts are really helpful too!"
Davidsons Electric
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From the Page to the Stage
The stories and lessons behind From BAD to BADASS also come to life through Michelle's speaking experiences. Her keynotes and interactive sessions bring the same candid storytelling, humor, and practical leadership perspective to audiences in a way that is designed to stick.
Explore Speaking
Michelle D. Reines
Michelle is a leadership and business advisor, executive coach, consultant, speaker, and founder of MDR Coaching & Consulting, Inc. She brings more than 40 years of real-world leadership and operational experience to her work with leaders and organizations.
She wrote From BAD to BADASS to share the lessons that came from getting leadership right, getting it wrong, and learning from both.
Meet MichelleBring the lessons into the real world.
Read it. Listen to it. Share it with your team. Or bring the lessons to life through a leadership program or speaking experience.
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