The Naked Leader

David Taylor

This book has been out for some time and has been a very big success. David follows the Naked Chef in simplifying leadership and management skills into a comprehensive book. David has spent years as a project manager and a leader. He has read a lot and attended a lot of seminars and workshops. He has distilled into this book the essence of all his experience and learning.

The book is arranged into 51 chapters and there are a number of different ways of working your way through the chapters depending upon what sort of journey you want to undertake. Dip into the book and follow the various signposts at the end of each chapter. Or be boring and just read the book from cover to cover. The choice is yours. Start taking charge of your life now!

What has David to say? Well firstly the book is an easy read with a sense of humour. Having heard him speak I can see that the book follows his conversational style. There is a lot in here that has been said elsewhere and David is not claiming to be original just summarising, criticising or praising as he sees it in the hope that you can benefit from all the hard work he has done for you. Use the book as a pointer for weightier volumes that are out there in abundance.

The book reminds us of many things we know already and inspires us to think through the benefits of making choices, taking action and accepting responsibility for those choices and actions. As David says, not taking action or making decisions is also a choice we make! We can choose to do nothing, we can choose to do the opposite - but the choice is ours.

David informs on personal as well as business issues and indicates the path towards spiritual realisation. The fact that some of the business press slammed this book because of the spiritual element is a good indicator that the book is worth reading. Ultimately the book is about bringing out the best in you, realising the true leader that exists in all of us. David reminds us there is no failure, only infinite possibilities.

The book is peppered with personal incidents and anecdotes that are often funny, sometimes sad but always thought provoking. David is pushing us to take the brave path and put us out there where we are at once exposed but where we can prove ourselves, yes to others, but mainly to ourselves.

This is an exceptional and inspiring book. Each rereading brings out new ideas. Anecdotes and examples linger on in the deeper recesses of the brain and yes I do notice a difference. It has helped me and it has helped and inspired many that I have recommended the book to.

Read the book; go hear the man and even sign up to his web site the man has a lot to give.

This is a great book on leadership, management, personal development and just becoming a better person.

Publisher: Capstone Publishing Ltd

ISBN: 1841124230

Reviewer: Uday Thakkar