Larry Armstrong and the Rise of Leadership Coaching: Why Layered Leadership Deserves a Spot on Your Shelf

Leadership coaching has grown beyond buzzwords and boardrooms. In today’s world, where emotional intelligence matters as much as business strategy, the best leaders aren’t just managing — they’re learning, evolving, and coaching others to do the same.

Few voices have brought this idea to life more clearly than Larry Armstrong, whose book Layered Leadership bridges the gap between strategic direction and personal growth. While not your typical “leadership coaching” manual, Armstrong’s book provides an incredibly powerful framework for those looking to develop as leaders — not just in title, but in mindset and impact.

If you're exploring leadership coaching books that go beyond the theoretical and speak directly to the human experience of leading, Layered Leadership is a must-read. Let’s explore why.

Who Is Larry Armstrong?

Larry Armstrong is more than just a business executive — he’s a former CEO, strategic visionary, mentor, and artist. Under his leadership, the architecture and design firm Ware Malcomb grew significantly, not just in size but in culture, people development, and purpose.

His background gives him a unique lens: part analytical, part creative, and deeply people-focused. Layered Leadership is the product of years spent not just in meetings and metrics, but in the real, personal side of leadership — where trust, emotion, and growth intersect.

Why Layered Leadership Stands Out in the Coaching Space

In a market filled with leadership books that lean heavily on systems, structure, or abstract principles, Armstrong offers something much more grounded — and refreshingly human.

Here’s how his approach aligns beautifully with modern leadership coaching principles:

???? Self-Awareness as a Core Pillar

Armstrong emphasizes that leadership isn’t just what you do — it’s who you are. In leadership coaching, this is often step one: helping leaders understand their own blind spots, values, strengths, and fears. Layered Leadership dives straight into this inner work, making self-awareness a foundation, not an afterthought.

???? Growth Through Reflection and Action

The book doesn’t push quick fixes or one-size-fits-all techniques. Instead, Armstrong guides readers to reflect deeply, identify areas of strength and growth, and build from there — layer by layer. This mirrors how executive coaching works in practice: slow, intentional, and sustainable development.

????????‍???????? Mentorship and Legacy-Building

In many leadership books, the focus ends at personal success. Armstrong takes it further — he talks about mentoring others, lifting people up, and building something that outlasts your own tenure. Leadership coaching at its best always includes legacy thinking, and Armstrong integrates it naturally into his framework.

???? Creative Leadership, Not Just Tactical Thinking

With his creative background, Armstrong champions creativity in leadership — not just in innovation, but in how you solve problems, inspire others, and shape culture. In coaching, helping leaders tap into their own creativity often unlocks transformational breakthroughs, and this book supports that journey beautifully.

Key Coaching-Style Takeaways from the Book

If you’re a coach, a leader, or someone being coached, here are some real gems you’ll take away from Layered Leadership:

• “Leadership is built, not granted.”
  The idea that leadership must be developed intentionally resonates with every coaching client. It’s not a title — it’s a discipline.

• “Balance drives clarity.”
  Armstrong emphasizes the need for leaders to maintain personal well-being — a huge coaching topic. When you’re balanced, you make better decisions and show up better for your team.

• “Build people before you build strategy.”
  Leadership is about people, period. This perspective reminds us that teams don’t just execute vision — they embody it.

• “Know when to step back.”
  Armstrong talks openly about the importance of letting others rise, which aligns perfectly with coaching’s goal: empowering others to lead themselves.

Is Layered Leadership for Coaches or Leaders? Both.

This isn’t just a book for leaders — it’s a book about becoming the kind of leader people want to follow. Coaches will find in it a treasure trove of insights and prompts to use with their clients. Leaders will find it reflective, practical, and deeply personal.

If you're looking to:

• Develop emotional intelligence as a leader

• Build a mentoring culture in your organization

• Strengthen your leadership voice

• Lead with authenticity, creativity, and integrity

• Guide others through growth and transition

…then this book belongs on your desk, not just your bookshelf.

How to Use the Book in a Coaching Context

Whether you’re a coach or working with one, here’s how Layered Leadership can become a practical tool in your coaching process:

1. Book Club with Your Team
   Use it as a leadership development resource. Each chapter offers natural stopping points for group discussion and action planning.

2. Self-Coaching Journal Prompts
   The themes in this book pair well with reflection. Pick a theme per week — vision, self-awareness, resilience — and explore how it applies to your leadership journey.

3. Mentorship Framework
   Armstrong gives insight into how leaders can become effective mentors. Coaches can use this to help clients create mentorship programs or become better mentors themselves.

4. Leadership Transition Support
   For those stepping into or out of leadership roles, this book helps structure the emotional and strategic layers of transition — a powerful coaching companion.

Final Thoughts

Leadership coaching books often fall into two camps — hyper-structured systems or abstract theory. Layered Leadership sits in a sweet spot between them. It’s honest, grounded, and written by someone who has not only led but also invested deeply in growing others.

Larry Armstrong’s insights are a gift to anyone who sees leadership as more than a role — but as a responsibility, a relationship, and a reflection of who you are.

If you’re serious about leadership coaching — whether for yourself, your team, or your clients — Layered Leadership is more than a read. It’s a guide you’ll return to, again and again.