A Personal Appraisal Workbook: Open Your Eyes and See Who You Are by J. Njoki Njuguna

The subject of leadership has been written all the years by both big and small names, in large and small prints. Why, then, would I bother to write another book on this subject? Why would one need to read this book? Perhaps in the following few paragraphs I will be able to make a case for this inspired cause and thus gain your most precious audience. "Running away from a problem does not solve it," one of my teachers said. "You must confront the problem in order to solve it." In my childhood, I learnt the value of taking responsibility whenever there was something that needed to be addressed. These were my first leadership lessons. In that case, therefore, in my study and practice, I still felt a sense of responsibility to add my little voice to this very important subject, even if doing so could only help a single individual to be inspired into becoming the person The Creator intended in him or her. This book, over and above learning leadership, helps people to identify their purpose in life and unify it with their leadership agenda with a view of leaving a timeless legacy. Life therefore becomes one adventurous journey of leadership to all who study this book. Of course, the very first person that you ought to lead is yourself and by being able to appropriately do so, you earn the right to lead others too. They, themselves, shall be willing to be led by you. In this book, I share personal life experiences in leadership in the simplest possible language for leaders at all levels to draw maximum benefit from. My innate drive to keenly and reflectively study situations from every facet of life I get involved in and my love for music found an opportunity to converge. Thus, this book uses the metaphor of orchestral music to share salient leadership lessons that would hitherto stay hidden from some people. This is not a music book. It is a leadership book. You do not have to know music in order to appreciate it. All you have to do is contemplatively tap your right foot to its beats as you drink from its priceless pot of knowledge. As life would have it, the universe is full of music. All around us is music in the sense of harmony. The Creator did not intend any chaos, but harmony in all we see and do. That is what makes music; many parts, many instruments, many participants but one beautiful piece of art that is pleasing to the ear. The same applies in all our leadership positions. We have to bring all pieces together in order to achieve the envisioned results. That is the language of life. Whoever makes the best symphony becomes the greatest leader;- the greatest director for the orchestra. It is my belief that you will enjoy the musicality in this leadership book as you dutifully mine the nuggets of wisdom that lurk within the pages into your life. The lessons you are going to learn by studying it shall forever remain imprinted in your heart and positively contribute to your immortality. I wish you all the best in your leadership endeavors and look forward to receiving feedback from you about how this book impacted your life.