Take the Wheel
A Practical Leadership
Guide by Vlad Sopov
After years of leading where responsibility exceeded authority,
I found that leadership breaks down when ownership and influence are separated.
I wrote Take the Wheel to capture the framework I built through experience, not theory, for leading in complex environments where expectations are high, clarity is limited, and permission is rarely given.
This book is for managers, team leads, and emerging leaders who want to take responsibility for outcomes and learn how to influence decisions, direction, and execution without relying on title or hierarchy.
The Problem This Book Solves
In my experience, most leadership problems don’t come from lack of effort or intelligence. They come from drift.
I’ve seen capable people take on responsibility without real influence, and others master influence while avoiding ownership. Both approaches fail in different ways.
The patterns are consistent:
- People wait for direction instead of creating clarity
- Teams stay busy while outcomes stall
- Motion is confused with progress
Over time, I realized the issue wasn’t motivation or skill. It was a disconnect between what people owned and what they could influence.
Take the Wheel exists to close that gap.
What Take the Wheel Means
Taking the wheel doesn’t mean control or authority. It means ownership paired with influence.
This framework is built on a conclusion I reached through practice: ownership without influence stalls, and influence without ownership collapses.
Ownership as a Decision
Leadership starts when you stop outsourcing responsibility, for clarity, outcomes, and direction, regardless of title.
Influence Without Authority
In real organizations, authority is often limited. Influence is earned through consistency, trust, and the willingness to take responsibility when others hesitate.
Execution Over Intention
Good intentions don’t move work forward. Clear decisions, structure, and follow-through do.
This framework reflects real leadership conditions, not ideal ones.
What You’ll Learn
Take the Wheel is structured in two parts, because leadership develops in two directions at once.
Part I: Personal Ownership
This section focuses on the internal shift required to lead:
- Taking responsibility without waiting for permission
- Reframing setbacks as ownership moments
- Building confidence through action, not motivation
Part II: Professional Influence
This section translates ownership into impact:
- Influencing decisions without formal authority
- Aligning teams through clarity instead of control
- Turning complexity into executable direction
Each chapter combines:
- My own experiences and lessons
- Case studies of well-known leaders facing similar constraints
- Practical takeaways designed for immediate application
The book is roughly 40% motivational and 60% practical: grounded in real situations, not abstractions.
Read Chapter 1: Free Access
Before asking for commitment, I prefer to show the work.
You can read Chapter 1 and decide whether this approach resonates.
You’ll get:
- Immediate access to the opening chapter
- A clear introduction to the ownership + influence model
- Ongoing insights shared only with subscribers
(No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.)
Leadership Perspectives on Take the Wheel
Feedback from senior leaders on ownership, influence, and execution.
“An unusual and original approach to leadership, built on ownership and influence as the two core pillars. A really practical book, full of strategies and ideas for overcoming resistance to doing the work.”
“This book clearly shows that leadership grows from mindset and action, not hierarchy. It delivers a message I can apply directly in my work to help clients build confidence, influence, and clarity in their careers.”
“Take the Wheel challenges readers to take full responsibility for their success and failures, turning self-reflection into decisive action. It’s a hands-on guide you can open at any moment to regain focus, ownership, and forward momentum.”
“This book offers practical advice for getting past the instinct to wait for the perfect moment and taking steps to improve your career and your life today. You’re in control of your success, and this book will help you take advantage of that fact.”
“Great primer for aspiring leaders or new managers. Vlad distills key leadership theories into practical, digestible examples that make complex concepts accessible. If you're transitioning from IC to leadership, this is a solid foundation.”
“The book reads like a conversation rather than a lecture, making big ideas feel approachable and energizing. Its tools, reflections, and real-world stories make it easy to open at any point and instantly regain motivation and direction.”