Customer Reviews

The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a random jamble of oddly-assembled cliches without direction or application. The writing style is comprised mainly of four to five word sentences, run together with little regard to flow or building a point. References are often cited with no explanation, and often as many as six references are made to other chapters within a single paragraph. The most useful advice in this book is "read articles or books about..." the topic at hand. At least the author admitted in this instance that he has no idea what he's talking about and had the decency to refer the reader elesewhere for advice. It's no surprise that no real publisher picked up this horrible book. It's easy to see this isn't as much a book as it is a collection of old-school powerpoint slides smashed together into a "book".

Starting with a description of the basic categories of leadership skills (foundational, direction, and influence), the book provides a self-assessment instrument showing your match with an ideal profile, pointing up areas of strength and weakness. The remaining chapters describe the various skills, clustered by the basic categories. The reader should pick from the array of skills, and focus on those most important or which they want to stress in their repertoire. This is a highly useful self-development work. The book's value is entirely based on the seriousness of the reader in using it as a learning tool. Strongly recommended.

The Nine Natural Laws of Leadership is interesting and valuable but The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders rises above and beyond. The message to me is that with attention to these laws and ideas, we all are (or can become) natural born leaders.

This newest Warren Blank book benefited me in many pratical and useful ways. I plan on buying one for my assistant and deputy and one for each of my division managers.

Gave this book to folks in our leadership training at work. Good practical tips for folks trying to understand how to enhance their leadership skills.

I'm an avid reader of business, management, leadership books and 108 Skills is one of the best I've ever read! It provides literally hundreds of practical suggestions on "how-to" improve Leadership skills. I was able to apply many of the ideas immediately to my own work environment, with great results. I then made sure all of my management and staff got a copy -- which has definitely increased our ability to work efficiently as a team. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is seriously interested in improving their ability to Take Charge and lead oneself and others. In fact, I'm planning to use 108 Skills as a guide in our new training programs, and have great confidence that my employees will learn important skills for both their personal and professional lives.