Personal Leadership: Taking Control of Your Work Life
By John Baldoni
Reviewed by Sarah Fenson, Ivy Sea Guide to Client Services
Despite how common the word is in business lexicon, ‘leadership’ can be perceived and defined in many ways — from an executive title to behavior that influences others. What’s not in question is that many of us aspire to become leaders, and aren’t sure where to start.
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Communication
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In Personal Leadership: Taking Control of Your Work Life, author John Baldoni cuts through the intellectual theory of leadership, and shares with readers the inspirational essays, stimulating questions and practical tips that can help anyone cultivate valuable skills on his or her journey towards leadership. His blending of down-to-earth wisdom and powerful anecdotes (all presented in bite-sized pieces) make for an easy-to-read book that’s a good addition to the reference libraries of businesses large and small.
Rather than falling into the traditional trap of citing only corporate executives as leaders, Baldoni provides examples from the spectrum of life — including Swiss watchmakers, educators, film directors and U.S. presidents — allowing readers to notice the leadership skills within, rather than see leadership as simply a title assigned by a corporation to a select few. Each chapter of Baldoni's book also includes exercises and action planners that transition concepts into action, which is the foundation of any successful personal-development practice. (As Baldoni writes, "Leadership begins with the individual!")
The "stories from the front lines" make a lasting impression, serving as windows into the world of leadership that showcase the challenges and triumphs, and the required mindset and mettle. Curiously, all but one of the featured leaders is based in the Detroit, Michigan-area, making one wonder if there’s something extra-special in the water supply out there, or if Baldoni’s reach extended only so far. This is not to diminish the information that he generously offers in the book, but an element that stands out as unusual in a book that otherwise features a nice depth. Some prospective or actual readers of Baldoni's book might see this as credibility-busting, but that would be a self-limiting mistake!
Any current or aspiring leader — regardless of organizational title — will find gems of new information or poignant reminders in this book, and will return to its pages for inspiration and fine-tuning.
Bottom Line — Personal Leadership is Recommended Reading. Order it from Booksense.com or Amazon.com (the former supports your local independently owned bookseller — a great thing to do!)
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