Book Review - The Leader who had no title

Robin Sharma, one of the most widely read authors on leadership and personal success has been touching human hearts and igniting minds with his numerous books like “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” that have crawled out of his experience as a successful leadership advisor. He strikes yet another note in the minds of his readers through the latest to add his collection of books – “The leader who had no title”.

“A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and Life”, the book takes the form a story visualized through the eyes of an Iraq vet Blake Davis, who has landed himself in a job that he finds dull and boring. His chance meet with an eccentric stranger Tommy, who claims to be a friend of his father alters his life forever. From then on, he is put on the learning path and so are the readers. This inspirational leadership fable introduces the philosophy of “Leading without Title (LWT)”. The Book revolves round this philosophy that in an organization, it not the CEO alone who is the leader. But, every employee, in his/her own position is a leader. In order to reach this igniting message, the author takes us for a trip amidst a new cadre of leaders – Ordinary people who strives for an excellence in their field. He introduces us to Anna, the self-actualized housekeeper, Jackson Chan, the CEO-turned-gardener and Jet Brisley, Superstar massager who exemplifies how we do not require a title to be a leader. It is the attitude that requires a change. All throughout the book, the author leaves a trail of illumination for the MBA students who would soon cling on to the misconception of “dead end jobs” – There is no dead end job, there is only dead end thinking. It is this thinking that the author wants his readers to come out from. And through this change in attitude, he promises “a career to fly, happiness to soar and the absolute best to fully express itself”. The book leaves powerful messages to the parents, teachers, bosses and workers to make their homes, classes, workplace and self leadership oriented.

The book can in fact claim an ideal place in your library and in your hearts for the message is expressed too vividly and passionately to leave it on the shelves. An inspiring read suggested to those who aspire for the transition from victims to leaders, for students who dream of a career that they love and for leaders and managers who wish to make a great team of leaders.