Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (The Undefended Leader Trilogy Book 1)

Great book, well worth the read, excellent author

very good

An easy read, thoroughly recommended for everyone in leadership. Simon Walker introduces a novel way of visualizing the leadership journey, helps leaders to understand the dynamics of front- and backstage forces, which if not handled may well derail their leadership, and explains the formation of leadership egos in childhood which are at the root of individual leadership behaviour. Challenging stuff! Finally, Simon points leaders towards undefendedness as a bold and courageous leadership and lifestyle option, which will set them free to achieve richer meaning out of adversity and grow in moral authority. With review questions, diagrams and pen drawings.

Having done a number of different personality profiles i have come to find the concept of fitting 7 Billion people into 16 different little boxes a little too simple to be accurate. The real strength of this book is that rather than simply asking you to fill out a questionnaire and assigning you four letter code it takes you through the theory constantly asking the reader to self evaluate and self assess. This approach was in itself a very "undefended" way of communicating the material as the reader is allowed to step behind the curtain and see the inner workings of the theory not just the end result- a great example of the means being as important as the message. The book has helped me towards not just greater levels of self awareness but also greater appreciation for the behaviour of my friends and colleagues as I am able to see why they do the things they do.Similarly having read a number of different leadership books i found this trilogy to be far more flexible and adaptable to all walks of life. Where other books might only be written from the point of view of a businessman or military leader, these books are applicable to ever form of leadership- from mum to C.E.O as the emphasis is on character development and honesty rather than technic and showmanship.A great and helpful book, definitely worth a read.

This is the freshest, most powerful book on authentic leadership I have ever read. The paradox of strong leadership from an acceptance of vulnerability and weakness is so insightful, that as other reviewers have commented, it really will change the way you lead... Having experienced a number of leadership models in different arenas ranging from the military to the corporate world, I can honestly say this is not only refreshingly different, but also radically powerful. If you accept Simon Walker's premise that you lead out of who you are, you'd better take a long hard look at the 'you' that you've been made, and rejoice in the privilege of leadership. Can't wait for no. 2 in the Trilogy...

This is a very readable book that manages to be deep and challenging at the same time as being very accessible. It looks at aspects of our personality such as our experience of trust and how we manage our "front stage" and "back stage", and the effect who we are has on how we lead. Since reading it, I've been thinking about it a lot and applying it to situations I've met. It's a very challenging and humbling book, not comfortable to read but it has the potential to be life changing.

This book suggests that, paradoxically, the path to being a great leader lies not through making ourselves stronger but by accepting our weaknesses - and that in being willing to be defenceless we become powerful! This is an extraordinary and radical book which should be read by anyone with an interest in leadership development