Book Review- The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and Life by Robin S. Sharma

Disclaimer- This book review is majorly a self-contemplation. The personalized meaning derived from the book vis-à-vis life experiences. The quotes are used directly from the book. 

This particular read by the famous motivational writer and speaker Robin S. Sharma is, in my view, a decent (yet a little cheesy!!) book on leadership and personal mastery. The author of Monk Who Sold His Ferrari in this particular book uses a set of acronyms (in fact, a lot of acronyms) to explain the importance of leadership and processes to implement leadership in Business and Life. 

The Leader Who Had No Title (LWHNT) is a story of a man, Blake Davis who has relinquished all interest in the job and striving every day to maintain his life and relationships. His fate takes a roll when he meets Tommy Flinn, an old friend of his father’s and also the top salesman where Blake works. He introduces Blake to 4 persons with varied backgrounds and work. As the story unfolds, life-changing lessons get revealed. 

Overall LWHNT does share valuable aspects, although the narrative became repetitive (though intended) and at times sounded rather naïve and clichéd. 

My swotting of the book has acquainted me to learn the LWT philosophy which has four pillars; each one can be achieved by four principles/rules. (Spoiler alert!!)

Pillar no. 1 - You Need No Title to Be a Leader 

Rule no. 1- IMAGE (Innovation, Mastery, Authenticity, Guts, Ethics) 

Pillar no. 2 - Turbulent Times Build Great Leaders 

Rule no. 2- SPARK (Speak with candor, Prioritize, Adversity breeds opportunity, Respond vs react, Kudos for everyone) 

Pillar no. 3 - The Deeper Your Relationships, the Stronger Your Leadership 

Rule no. 3- HUMAN (Helpfulness, Understanding, Mingle, Amuse, Nurture) 

Pillar no. 4 - To Become a Great Leader, First Become a Great Person 

Rule no. 4- SHINE (See clearly, Health is wealth, Inspiration matters, Neglect not your family, Elevate your lifestyle) 

This book encompasses several great advices and tips. Here is my personalized take on two quotes from the book.

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“Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end.” 

“Change” is the most frequently used term in 2020. Credit goes to the infamous Covid-19. Abruptly all our lives took a different spin especially during lock down. This foreign virus thrust an ab-normal change not only into our lifestyle but also in our learning and thinking patterns. Leadership (without title) in personal lives played its utmost role. 

For example, as for me, waking at 5 am during lockdown was a forced schedule.. but an essential one... due to the absence of maid/help. The house chores required additional time along with the continuing responsibility of home, office, and kids. In the beginning, it was difficult to get up from bed, but in middle, it got worse because for "early to rise" I had to prepare for "early to bed". My whole family had to undergo this changed time- pattern. Be it eating food, watching television, playing or sleeping. 

Now, although the maid has returned but waking up at 5-o’clock-habit has stick along to my daily life flawlessly. 

And add on benefit- My mother’s dream has come true (of me…waking up…at 5 am!!). 

I have amazed myself. 

My conclusion - What are we if not mounting a different cliff every day to see the sunrise and discovering another peak waiting for us. Correct?? Starting anything is very easy but to continue it for long… requires perseverance and loads of guts. 

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“What society thinks is of no interest to me. All that's important is how I see myself. I know who I am. I know the value of my work.” 

"I am contributing to my joy. I am also a part of this huge thing that Sri Rama is doing, and I am so proud of it"- said the squirrel. 

The story of the squirrel’s contribution to the building of the Setu Bridge illustrates self-satisfaction and defines the level of self-worth. According to me, this is one of the best examples of self-leadership. 

Each of us serves according to our labeled strengths and capacities. However, the extraordinary thing to remind ourselves is … There is NO limit on ‘age’ or on the ‘amount’ for developing inner strength and capabilities. 

A squirrel has the potential to become the Ram.