The Leader Who Had No Title- A review

Up until recently, if you had given me a self improvement book to read, I would have rolled my eyes because, what could those writers who probably always had a silver spoon in their mouths, possibly know about improving? Then I joined a book club at work and my opinion has since shifted. Everyone needs a little guidance, a little nudge, or sometimes to be called out by a stranger with words that help you see beyond your limiting beliefs and shake you out of your comfort zone.

Our first read was ‘The Leader Who Had No Title’. I think this was a wise choice for self-help book beginners, as wisdom is tucked into the characters’ stories, making it an easy read. The first chapter really grabbed my attention as it introduced the main character, Blake, and I hated that I resonated with the mediocrity of his life. After losing his parents as a young adult, Blake goes into self-destruction mode and joins the army to try and get away from his pain, only to come back home with more pain from the trauma of war and gets by working an average job that he hates. He does however like books and the fact that he works in a library makes it bearable.

Then there’s Tommy, an eccentric character who becomes Blake’s mentor, something about this character is reminiscent of a very chatty and scruffy version of Mr. Bean. Tommy acquaints him with four equally eccentric characters, who teach Blake that the fire he needs to excel in what he does is in him already waiting for him to step up and lead with no title. There is a scene in there where Tommy takes Blake to a cemetery that really got me. There’s something about addressing the elephant in the room that is our own mortality that snaps you out of your, ‘we try again tomorrow’ thinking very fast . I might have shed a tear or two when Tommy took Blake through the ten Human Regrets. ‘You reach your last day with the brilliant song that your life was meant to sing still silent within you.’ Imagine that! (breaks to cry).

Granted that there’s a lot of repetition that makes you feel like ‘unauziwa nyota’ with the ‘you don’t need a title to be a leader’ (I rolled my eyes a couple of times feeling very validated as a self-improvement books ‘hater’), I found the lessons to be relevant and easily applicable. The book delves into the importance of making meaningful connections with people, treating people with respect, appreciation and kindness. It also emphasizes that one cannot pour from an empty cup and so to lead others, you need to be able to lead yourself first. I like that the author addresses that trying to improve yourself is not easy. Good old self doubt will come to play, the fear that you will not be able to sustain the transition and of course people! We all want to be accepted and to belong. But maybe the community that you could really fit in is hiding in your improved version.

Blake adds a human touch to the book, making it more than just a set of instructions. Through him, readers can see their own doubts, fears, determination, and hope reflected, making the experience more relatable and impactful. There’s an almost tangible burst of energy that prompts you to start your transition to a better you, that engulfs you as you journey with Tommy, Blake and his four teachers in unravelling the ‘Leader Without a title’ philosophy. You’ll be reminded to bring a little joy to your work, to expand your comfort zone by stepping out of it every now and then, to value people and most importantly, to put yourself first and not to lose yourself in the ho-hum of life.

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