Reading a variety of self-help books, attending technical, or, non-technical, management and self-productivity & improvement courses and networking with like-minded individuals are a couple of “must do” things for someone who wishes to progress in life. Otherwise, you stagnate and die. As simple as that.
In my personal collection of over 3,000+ books (yes, I love buying and reading boat load of books – especially order from Flipkart) and especially 
when traveling, love carrying one with myself as well (or purchase from the Airport bookstore always at the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL); one of my personal favorites is “Leadership Wisdom” by Robin Sharma. Get it here if you’re in India, or from Amazon.com here.
What’s so special about this book? Well, you have to read it to understand why its a simply written, but an excellent gem of a book. Covers every aspect of Leadership and Management Skills, yet told in a very simple manner. Can be understood by a student, or CEO of a Fortune company; whether you’re a housewife or a CSR leader. Not a single technical jargon is used anywhere in the book. A must read for all wishing to grow Leadership skills in themselves, and to lead without a title.
The entire book is scattered with precious pearls of Leadership Wisdom. Full of examples and quotes from ancient Indian, Chinese, Greek, Roman and also modern Western philosophers, writers, thinkers, and poets. Aptly examined in detail and exemplified – but in a simple story-telling manner which is quite exquisite. In fact, its an absolute delight to read this book and then sit back and think – how you can use all these “pearls” in your daily lives – whether it be improving personal relationships at home, or at work.
Here’s my favorite 30 Pearls of Wisdom from the book.
PEARL 1:
Of all of the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this – that you are the master of your thought, the molder of your character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment and destiny. ~ James Allen
PEARL 2:
Inner leadership precedes outer leadership.
PEARL 3:
Great organizations begin with great leaders. And every great leader has bold dreams.
PEARL 4:
Leadership is not about managing things but about developing people.
PEARL 5:
The visionary leader is one who has learned how to focus on the summit while clearing the path.
PEARL 6:
The job of every leader is to define reality for his people. He shows his people a better, brighter, more enlightened way to see the world. He takes the challenges they face and reframes them as opportunities for growth, improvement and success. He does more than show people how to do things right – that is the job of a manager. The enlightened leader constantly reaffirms that the purpose everyone is striving toward is a good one and a just one and an honorable one. He understands that the best motivator for innovative and exceptional performance is meaningful work.
PEARL 7:
Visionary leaders care more about doing what’s right than appearing intelligent.
PEARL 8:
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. ~ Seneca
PEARL 9:
Visionary leaders capture the hearts of their people by deeply listening to them.
PEARL 10:
Visionary leaders are consistently compassionate. The blend humanity with courage. They are fanatically honest, and by being so, they earn everyone’s trust.
PEARL 11:
Great leaders are great teachers.
PEARL 12:
Watch and see the courses of the stars as if you ran with them, and continually dwell in mind upon the changes of the elements into one another; for these imaginations wash away the foulness of life on the ground. ~ Marcus Aurelius
PEARL 13:
Visionary leaders embrace change. Doing the same things every day will not deliver new results. To change the results you are getting, you must change the things you are doing.
PEARL 14:
The best antidote for fear is knowledge.
PEARL 15:
The growth of your company is directly proportional to the growth of your people.
PEARL 16:
Knowledge that remains unapplied is worthless. Success is not determined by what you know. Lasting success comes only through acting on what you know, putting it into practice.
PEARL 17:
In this new era of business you are privileged to live in, ideas are the true commodity of success. How far you will go will be determined by how well you think.
PEARL 18:
Stop worrying. The funeral pyre burns the dead while worry burns the living.
PEARL 19:
Visionary leaders have a clear sense of their destination and exactly what things they need to accomplish to reach it.
PEARL 20:
The real secret of personal effectiveness is concentration of purpose.
PEARL 21:
Most people try to become more clever every day, whereas I attempt to become more simple and uncomplicated every day. ~ Zen saying.
PEARL 22:
The person who tries to do everything achieves nothing. So the real secret to getting things done is knowing what things need to remain undone.
PEARL 23:
Visionary leaders have the wisdom to understand that if you don’t lead your time, it will lead you. Focus on the best and delegate the rest.
PEARL 24:
If you don’t act on life, life will act on you.
PEARL 25:
The real secret of personal effectiveness is concentration of purpose.
PEARL 26:
If your priorities don’t get put into your planner, other peoples’ priorities will get put into your planner. The golden key to time leadership is really doing what you planned to do, when you planned to do.
PEARL 27:
Self-discipline is the DNA of visionary leadership. Self-discipline is what allows a leader to go beyond knowing to doing.
PEARL 28:
The tougher you are on yourself, the easier life will be on you.
PEARL 29:
There’s no point in strategic planning, if you never carry out a plan.
PEARL 30:
Reflection is the mother of wisdom.
Frankly speaking, I can go on and on and on. The entire book is full of thousands of such amazing pearls, strewn around. Takes patience to read through, understand and of course absorb them. Most of them sounds like commonsense, right? Well, that’s the fact that the author mentions. Great leaderships skills are hidden in commonsense, but unfortunately, we are so caught up in our daily struggles, and daily rat race, we kinda forget about them. Taking a step back sometimes help – this book is an amazing self-help in that respect.
I would strongly suggest you to purchase this book and treasure it. Not just browse through it, but mark the correct sections with a marker in hand, underline the important sections you feel you need to develop, and of course, read it (or sections) from time to time. Overall, an amazing book.
Reading, Books & More 