What's the best book you've ever read? Hmmm .... ask me an easy one why don't you! That's up there with 'what's the meaning of life'. There are so many to choose from .... Barefoot Doctor's Urban Warrior .... Quiet Leadership by David Rock .... Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching ... Mind Power by John Kehoe ...

Let me side step-the term 'best' and instead, choose one that's been truly profound, the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith. It's a book about paradox in life and choosing to go against the grain ... here are some examples from the book. (http://www.paradoxicalcommandments.com/)

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

What was the key message you took from the book?

In summary, life grants us the ability to make personal choices, sometimes we lead, sometimes we follow. Going with what 'feels right' is not always going to be a smooth path, but the choices we make is a testament to our own leadership.

As a Coach I recall many clients making choices based on what was right, not what's easy to do. I think this is real leadership and it's authentic. These clients grow internally and however BIG the decisions are, in a way they feel good about themselves.

Why did it mean so much to you?

I think most us in life often face such dilemmas, 'tuning-in' internally accesses a quiet voice that's a guiding voice - it can take courage to listen to at times, but it builds self-relience and personal integrity.

Who should read this book?

People who are stepping out of the 'norms', want to challenge the status quo, develop the confidence to express different thinking and people who want to make a stand for what's important to them. Doing some or all of this can be thankless .... but do it anyway!

About the author

David Savage is a Coach based in Wellington New Zealand. He uses a brain based methodology that fast-tracks learning and development that gives his clients the tools and templates to increase their potential and meet their ambitions.