One book that you have to read before the end of this year – “A Leader’s Legacy”

By Rajesh Setty on Mon 13 Nov 2006, 10:20 PM - 6 Comments

I read between 50-80 books every year. Add another 100 books that I start reading but won’t complete reading it – just because the book runs out of steam by the time I reach the middle of the book. Rarely does a book come across that I want to read, re-read and re-read again. Rarely does a book comes across that is simple and profound. Rarely does a book come across that will remind me of the Niagara Factor.

I met with Dr. Posner recently and heard that their (Jim and Barry) new book was out and I had no option but to rush to the bookstore right after that meeting. I think I DID a good thing by doing that. The book is called “A Leader’s Legacy” and it is a fascinating read.

I won’t reveal much from the book but if the following snippets peek your interest, then you know what is in store

1. Success in leadership is not measured only in numbers. Being a leader brings with it a responsibility to do something of significance that makes families, communities, work organizations, nations, the environment, and the world better places than they are today. Not all things can be quantified
[from Leaders serve and sacrifice]

2. Our teachers continue to teach us as we go on to tell their stories
[from The Best Leaders Are Teachers]

3. The question for each of us, then, is not Do I matter? but How do I matter?
[from You Are The Most Important Leader In Your Organization]

4. There are very few things in life that we can claim to have accomplished without the help of others. In leadership, nothing that we achieve is singular. Nothing.
[from No One Likes To Be An Assumption]

You know I can go on and on. I am sure this will be on my desk for some time to come. If you are a leader or want to be one, don’t miss this one.

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Anonymous on November 16th, 2006

Hi RS,
I am not sure whether my opinion has any meaning, I have read about many people are writting good books but repeating the same fundamental thing of life in a new manner. There is one thing which I think is missing is the process to improve a human being to that level.I think the reason we are having so many self-development book is because the core book for development not there. I feel the human being need to improve only one aspect not sure of which one.

Anonymous on November 17th, 2006

Hi Praveen,
My $.02 -
You are treading in a territory where it is hard to win an argument for either party. I don’t have an answer for your question and even if I did, your next question would be “How do you know?”
You say that you feel the human being need to improve only one aspect. My question is “How do you know?”
These are things that you can debate upon for a long long time without arriving at satisfactory answers.
The real question is “Do you have the luxury of time to engage in trying to find out answers for such questions or would you rather pick up some good things from one or more books very quickly and make a difference?”
Have a great friday?
Best,
Raj

Anonymous on November 17th, 2006

Oops! The question mark at the end of Friday was a mistake. Sorry!
Best,
Raj

Anonymous on November 17th, 2006

Hi Raj,
Thanks for your reply. To be honest this was not an argument it was just a thought which was in my mind. I somtime feels this way.
Thanks,
Praveen