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Anchored, Aligned, Accountable

A Framework for Transcending Bullsh*t and Transforming Our Lives and Work

Foreword by Brené Brown
Paperback
$21.50 US
6-1/8"W x 9-1/4"H (15.6 x 23.5 cm) | 12 oz (347 g) | 24 per carton
On sale Apr 21, 2026 | 288 Pages | 9780593978481
Grades 6-12
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
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From one of our most visionary leadership coaches comes a bold new framework for successfully navigating complicated interactions at work, at home, and in all our relationships—featuring a foreword by Brené Brown.

“Drawing on her years of coaching experience, Bethea names what is often left unspoken in our workplaces: the dynamics of power, identity, and accountability that shape our relationships.”—Prentis Hemphill, bestselling author of What It Takes to Heal

We’ve all had them—awkward interactions at work that could have gone differently, misunderstandings at home that led to avoidable blowups. But what if those uncomfortable moments could become opportunities for personal transformation?

Renowned leadership coach Aiko Bethea gives us an innovative and road-tested framework for learning to show up in any situation authentically and not as the people-pleasing or conflict-avoidant versions of ourselves that have become second nature to so many of us.

The framework lays out how to successfully navigate moments of conflict: first we must be anchored in our values and purpose, then our actions and principles must be aligned, and finally we must be accountable for our impact. With these three steps, we can remake ourselves and our connections with others, fostering constructive dialogue and creating opportunities for growth.

Throughout the book, Bethea draws on decades of real-life experience to show us the many forms that these scenarios can take, offering practical advice to help us lead from our most genuine selves and deepen relationships in every part of our lives. In doing so, she shows us how to transcend the bullshit we constantly encounter and meet each new day grounded in truth, connected to our values, and in control of not just what we do but who we become.
“What if the moments you dread most become your greatest growth accelerators? Aiko Bethea’s practical framework empowers leaders to transcend fear, cut through chaos, and create meaningful connections.”—Kate Johnson, CEO, Lumen Technologies

“Clear and compassionate . . . Drawing on her years of coaching experience, Bethea names what is often left unspoken in our workplaces: the dynamics of power, identity, and accountability that shape our relationships. This book asks the question, ‘How can we each be living our values more often than not?’”—Prentis Hemphill, bestselling author of What It Takes to Heal

“Aiko Bethea addresses what many leadership frameworks leave unspoken: how power, identity, and accountability shape our ability to lead well. She helps us shift toward cultures defined by clarity, integrity, and meaningful change.”—Dr. Cindy Pace, global culture and leadership advisor and host of the Shift Forward podcast

“Aiko Bethea has spent years helping people see what they’ve been avoiding—both within themselves and in their relationships. If you’re ready to examine the patterns running your life, start here.”—Bobbi Silten, chief of people & culture, Foundation Strategy Group

“I’ve seen firsthand how Aiko Bethea helps leaders move from intention to action. Anchored, Aligned, Accountable makes that framework accessible to everyone. It’s clear, grounded, and built for the moments when leading well is hardest. This is the kind of book every leader should read.”—Chanel Fanaberia, SVP, Center for Daring Leadership

“This book is a generous, practical guide for leaders ready to move from aspiration to action—with courage, care, and integrity.”—Erica Lee, VP of human resources, Compass Group

Anchored, Aligned, Accountable turns self-awareness and accountability into concrete practices that leaders can rely on when the stakes are high. Bethea offers guidance that is usable, disciplined, and grounded in lived experience.”—Michael Hudson, CEO, the Hudson Institute for Coaching

“Aiko Bethea is not here for the bullsh*t. Not mine. Or yours. Or anybody’s! Her book reads like an intimate chat with your most practical and insightful girlfriend who just happens to be a genius leadership coach. It’s filled with straightforward real talk coupled with a warmth and generosity that inspire you to do the necessary work to become the best leader, partner, and human that you can be.”—Kerry Washington
Aiko Bethea is the founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, a leadership development firm that guides leaders to successfully navigate today's workplace, with more impactful approaches to leadership. She supports leaders and teams of Fortune 100 companies, research and academic institutes, and global nonprofit organizations. After practicing law at a global firm, she led legal teams at the City of Atlanta under the leadership of Stacey Abrams. She then served as Director of Compliance for the City of Atlanta and as a Deputy Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bethea has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top seven anti-racism educators for companies and named multiple times by CultureAmp as an influencer to follow. She contributed to the New York Times best-selling anthology, You Are Your Best Thing, and her writing has also been published by Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and several other outlets. She is a senior leadership consultant for the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and a faculty member of the Hudson Institute of Coaching in Santa Barbara. Bethea holds a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Available for sale exclusive:
•     Guam
•     Minor Outl.Ins.
•     North Mariana
•     Philippines
•     Puerto Rico
•     Samoa,American
•     US Virgin Is.

Available for sale non-exclusive:
•     Afghanistan
•     Aland Islands
•     Albania
•     Algeria
•     Andorra
•     Angola
•     Antarctica
•     Argentina
•     Armenia
•     Aruba
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•     Azerbaijan
•     Bahrain
•     Belarus
•     Belgium
•     Benin
•     Bhutan
•     Bolivia
•     Bonaire, Saba
•     Bosnia Herzeg.
•     Bouvet Island
•     Brazil
•     Bulgaria
•     Burkina Faso
•     Burundi
•     Cambodia
•     Cape Verde
•     Centr.Afr.Rep.
•     Chad
•     Chile
•     China
•     Colombia
•     Comoro Is.
•     Congo
•     Cook Islands
•     Costa Rica
•     Croatia
•     Cuba
•     Curacao
•     Czech Republic
•     Dem. Rep. Congo
•     Denmark
•     Djibouti
•     Dominican Rep.
•     Ecuador
•     Egypt
•     El Salvador
•     Equatorial Gui.
•     Eritrea
•     Estonia
•     Ethiopia
•     Faroe Islands
•     Finland
•     France
•     Fren.Polynesia
•     French Guinea
•     Gabon
•     Georgia
•     Germany
•     Greece
•     Greenland
•     Guadeloupe
•     Guatemala
•     Guinea Republic
•     Guinea-Bissau
•     Haiti
•     Heard/McDon.Isl
•     Honduras
•     Hong Kong
•     Hungary
•     Iceland
•     Indonesia
•     Iran
•     Israel
•     Italy
•     Ivory Coast
•     Japan
•     Kazakhstan
•     Kyrgyzstan
•     Laos
•     Latvia
•     Lebanon
•     Liberia
•     Libya
•     Liechtenstein
•     Lithuania
•     Luxembourg
•     Macau
•     Macedonia
•     Madagascar
•     Maldives
•     Mali
•     Marshall island
•     Martinique
•     Mauritania
•     Mayotte
•     Mexico
•     Micronesia
•     Moldavia
•     Monaco
•     Mongolia
•     Montenegro
•     Morocco
•     Myanmar
•     Nepal
•     Netherlands
•     New Caledonia
•     Nicaragua
•     Niger
•     Niue
•     Norfolk Island
•     North Korea
•     Norway
•     Oman
•     Palau
•     Palestinian Ter
•     Panama
•     Paraguay
•     Peru
•     Poland
•     Portugal
•     Qatar
•     Reunion Island
•     Romania
•     Russian Fed.
•     Saint Martin
•     San Marino
•     SaoTome Princip
•     Saudi Arabia
•     Senegal
•     Serbia
•     Singapore
•     Sint Maarten
•     Slovakia
•     Slovenia
•     South Korea
•     South Sudan
•     Spain
•     St Barthelemy
•     St.Pier,Miquel.
•     Sth Terr. Franc
•     Suriname
•     Svalbard
•     Sweden
•     Switzerland
•     Syria
•     Tadschikistan
•     Taiwan
•     Thailand
•     Timor-Leste
•     Togo
•     Tokelau Islands
•     Tunisia
•     Turkey
•     Turkmenistan
•     Ukraine
•     Unit.Arab Emir.
•     Uruguay
•     Uzbekistan
•     Vatican City
•     Venezuela
•     Vietnam
•     Wallis,Futuna
•     West Saharan
•     Yemen

Not available for sale:
•     Anguilla
•     Antigua/Barbuda
•     Australia
•     Bahamas
•     Bangladesh
•     Barbados
•     Belize
•     Bermuda
•     Botswana
•     Brit.Ind.Oc.Ter
•     Brit.Virgin Is.
•     Brunei
•     Cameroon
•     Canada
•     Cayman Islands
•     Christmas Islnd
•     Cocos Islands
•     Cyprus
•     Dominica
•     Falkland Islnds
•     Fiji
•     Gambia
•     Ghana
•     Gibraltar
•     Grenada
•     Guernsey
•     Guyana
•     India
•     Iraq
•     Ireland
•     Isle of Man
•     Jamaica
•     Jersey
•     Jordan
•     Kenya
•     Kiribati
•     Kuwait
•     Lesotho
•     Malawi
•     Malaysia
•     Malta
•     Mauritius
•     Montserrat
•     Mozambique
•     Namibia
•     Nauru
•     New Zealand
•     Nigeria
•     Pakistan
•     PapuaNewGuinea
•     Pitcairn Islnds
•     Rwanda
•     S. Sandwich Ins
•     Seychelles
•     Sierra Leone
•     Solomon Islands
•     Somalia
•     South Africa
•     Sri Lanka
•     St. Helena
•     St. Lucia
•     St. Vincent
•     St.Chr.,Nevis
•     Sudan
•     Swaziland
•     Tanzania
•     Tonga
•     Trinidad,Tobago
•     Turks&Caicos Is
•     Tuvalu
•     USA
•     Uganda
•     United Kingdom
•     Vanuatu
•     Western Samoa
•     Zambia
•     Zimbabwe

About

From one of our most visionary leadership coaches comes a bold new framework for successfully navigating complicated interactions at work, at home, and in all our relationships—featuring a foreword by Brené Brown.

“Drawing on her years of coaching experience, Bethea names what is often left unspoken in our workplaces: the dynamics of power, identity, and accountability that shape our relationships.”—Prentis Hemphill, bestselling author of What It Takes to Heal

We’ve all had them—awkward interactions at work that could have gone differently, misunderstandings at home that led to avoidable blowups. But what if those uncomfortable moments could become opportunities for personal transformation?

Renowned leadership coach Aiko Bethea gives us an innovative and road-tested framework for learning to show up in any situation authentically and not as the people-pleasing or conflict-avoidant versions of ourselves that have become second nature to so many of us.

The framework lays out how to successfully navigate moments of conflict: first we must be anchored in our values and purpose, then our actions and principles must be aligned, and finally we must be accountable for our impact. With these three steps, we can remake ourselves and our connections with others, fostering constructive dialogue and creating opportunities for growth.

Throughout the book, Bethea draws on decades of real-life experience to show us the many forms that these scenarios can take, offering practical advice to help us lead from our most genuine selves and deepen relationships in every part of our lives. In doing so, she shows us how to transcend the bullshit we constantly encounter and meet each new day grounded in truth, connected to our values, and in control of not just what we do but who we become.

Praise

“What if the moments you dread most become your greatest growth accelerators? Aiko Bethea’s practical framework empowers leaders to transcend fear, cut through chaos, and create meaningful connections.”—Kate Johnson, CEO, Lumen Technologies

“Clear and compassionate . . . Drawing on her years of coaching experience, Bethea names what is often left unspoken in our workplaces: the dynamics of power, identity, and accountability that shape our relationships. This book asks the question, ‘How can we each be living our values more often than not?’”—Prentis Hemphill, bestselling author of What It Takes to Heal

“Aiko Bethea addresses what many leadership frameworks leave unspoken: how power, identity, and accountability shape our ability to lead well. She helps us shift toward cultures defined by clarity, integrity, and meaningful change.”—Dr. Cindy Pace, global culture and leadership advisor and host of the Shift Forward podcast

“Aiko Bethea has spent years helping people see what they’ve been avoiding—both within themselves and in their relationships. If you’re ready to examine the patterns running your life, start here.”—Bobbi Silten, chief of people & culture, Foundation Strategy Group

“I’ve seen firsthand how Aiko Bethea helps leaders move from intention to action. Anchored, Aligned, Accountable makes that framework accessible to everyone. It’s clear, grounded, and built for the moments when leading well is hardest. This is the kind of book every leader should read.”—Chanel Fanaberia, SVP, Center for Daring Leadership

“This book is a generous, practical guide for leaders ready to move from aspiration to action—with courage, care, and integrity.”—Erica Lee, VP of human resources, Compass Group

Anchored, Aligned, Accountable turns self-awareness and accountability into concrete practices that leaders can rely on when the stakes are high. Bethea offers guidance that is usable, disciplined, and grounded in lived experience.”—Michael Hudson, CEO, the Hudson Institute for Coaching

“Aiko Bethea is not here for the bullsh*t. Not mine. Or yours. Or anybody’s! Her book reads like an intimate chat with your most practical and insightful girlfriend who just happens to be a genius leadership coach. It’s filled with straightforward real talk coupled with a warmth and generosity that inspire you to do the necessary work to become the best leader, partner, and human that you can be.”—Kerry Washington

Author

Aiko Bethea is the founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, a leadership development firm that guides leaders to successfully navigate today's workplace, with more impactful approaches to leadership. She supports leaders and teams of Fortune 100 companies, research and academic institutes, and global nonprofit organizations. After practicing law at a global firm, she led legal teams at the City of Atlanta under the leadership of Stacey Abrams. She then served as Director of Compliance for the City of Atlanta and as a Deputy Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bethea has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top seven anti-racism educators for companies and named multiple times by CultureAmp as an influencer to follow. She contributed to the New York Times best-selling anthology, You Are Your Best Thing, and her writing has also been published by Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and several other outlets. She is a senior leadership consultant for the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and a faculty member of the Hudson Institute of Coaching in Santa Barbara. Bethea holds a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rights

Available for sale exclusive:
•     Guam
•     Minor Outl.Ins.
•     North Mariana
•     Philippines
•     Puerto Rico
•     Samoa,American
•     US Virgin Is.

Available for sale non-exclusive:
•     Afghanistan
•     Aland Islands
•     Albania
•     Algeria
•     Andorra
•     Angola
•     Antarctica
•     Argentina
•     Armenia
•     Aruba
•     Austria
•     Azerbaijan
•     Bahrain
•     Belarus
•     Belgium
•     Benin
•     Bhutan
•     Bolivia
•     Bonaire, Saba
•     Bosnia Herzeg.
•     Bouvet Island
•     Brazil
•     Bulgaria
•     Burkina Faso
•     Burundi
•     Cambodia
•     Cape Verde
•     Centr.Afr.Rep.
•     Chad
•     Chile
•     China
•     Colombia
•     Comoro Is.
•     Congo
•     Cook Islands
•     Costa Rica
•     Croatia
•     Cuba
•     Curacao
•     Czech Republic
•     Dem. Rep. Congo
•     Denmark
•     Djibouti
•     Dominican Rep.
•     Ecuador
•     Egypt
•     El Salvador
•     Equatorial Gui.
•     Eritrea
•     Estonia
•     Ethiopia
•     Faroe Islands
•     Finland
•     France
•     Fren.Polynesia
•     French Guinea
•     Gabon
•     Georgia
•     Germany
•     Greece
•     Greenland
•     Guadeloupe
•     Guatemala
•     Guinea Republic
•     Guinea-Bissau
•     Haiti
•     Heard/McDon.Isl
•     Honduras
•     Hong Kong
•     Hungary
•     Iceland
•     Indonesia
•     Iran
•     Israel
•     Italy
•     Ivory Coast
•     Japan
•     Kazakhstan
•     Kyrgyzstan
•     Laos
•     Latvia
•     Lebanon
•     Liberia
•     Libya
•     Liechtenstein
•     Lithuania
•     Luxembourg
•     Macau
•     Macedonia
•     Madagascar
•     Maldives
•     Mali
•     Marshall island
•     Martinique
•     Mauritania
•     Mayotte
•     Mexico
•     Micronesia
•     Moldavia
•     Monaco
•     Mongolia
•     Montenegro
•     Morocco
•     Myanmar
•     Nepal
•     Netherlands
•     New Caledonia
•     Nicaragua
•     Niger
•     Niue
•     Norfolk Island
•     North Korea
•     Norway
•     Oman
•     Palau
•     Palestinian Ter
•     Panama
•     Paraguay
•     Peru
•     Poland
•     Portugal
•     Qatar
•     Reunion Island
•     Romania
•     Russian Fed.
•     Saint Martin
•     San Marino
•     SaoTome Princip
•     Saudi Arabia
•     Senegal
•     Serbia
•     Singapore
•     Sint Maarten
•     Slovakia
•     Slovenia
•     South Korea
•     South Sudan
•     Spain
•     St Barthelemy
•     St.Pier,Miquel.
•     Sth Terr. Franc
•     Suriname
•     Svalbard
•     Sweden
•     Switzerland
•     Syria
•     Tadschikistan
•     Taiwan
•     Thailand
•     Timor-Leste
•     Togo
•     Tokelau Islands
•     Tunisia
•     Turkey
•     Turkmenistan
•     Ukraine
•     Unit.Arab Emir.
•     Uruguay
•     Uzbekistan
•     Vatican City
•     Venezuela
•     Vietnam
•     Wallis,Futuna
•     West Saharan
•     Yemen

Not available for sale:
•     Anguilla
•     Antigua/Barbuda
•     Australia
•     Bahamas
•     Bangladesh
•     Barbados
•     Belize
•     Bermuda
•     Botswana
•     Brit.Ind.Oc.Ter
•     Brit.Virgin Is.
•     Brunei
•     Cameroon
•     Canada
•     Cayman Islands
•     Christmas Islnd
•     Cocos Islands
•     Cyprus
•     Dominica
•     Falkland Islnds
•     Fiji
•     Gambia
•     Ghana
•     Gibraltar
•     Grenada
•     Guernsey
•     Guyana
•     India
•     Iraq
•     Ireland
•     Isle of Man
•     Jamaica
•     Jersey
•     Jordan
•     Kenya
•     Kiribati
•     Kuwait
•     Lesotho
•     Malawi
•     Malaysia
•     Malta
•     Mauritius
•     Montserrat
•     Mozambique
•     Namibia
•     Nauru
•     New Zealand
•     Nigeria
•     Pakistan
•     PapuaNewGuinea
•     Pitcairn Islnds
•     Rwanda
•     S. Sandwich Ins
•     Seychelles
•     Sierra Leone
•     Solomon Islands
•     Somalia
•     South Africa
•     Sri Lanka
•     St. Helena
•     St. Lucia
•     St. Vincent
•     St.Chr.,Nevis
•     Sudan
•     Swaziland
•     Tanzania
•     Tonga
•     Trinidad,Tobago
•     Turks&Caicos Is
•     Tuvalu
•     USA
•     Uganda
•     United Kingdom
•     Vanuatu
•     Western Samoa
•     Zambia
•     Zimbabwe