Reader Review
Dianne Tanner
Can a lost sheep really become a leader? Why, yes! Of course! We all can!
At first, I thought the book was going to be just another tired lesson plan for finding your way in the world: but Debra J. Slover's book, U.N.I.Q.U.E.: Growing the Leader Within, goes beyond the traditional self help doctrines to actively explain the ideas behind cultivating an individual leadership spirit.
Funny as it may seem, I followed Hugh the wayward sheep through the book's incredible Leadership Farm Fable where we learned the essential principles and behaviors needed to cultivate our leader spirit through a tour of the metaphorical Leadership Garden.
The first time I read the book I glossed over the actual exercises provided at the end of Hugh's stops on the Leadership Farm tour. But I was drawn by the author's honesty and compassion and by the intricate, beautiful illustrations that adorn the Fable. I reached for the book again and again. Each time I sat down to examine the Fable I found new depth in the story as well as in the author's commentary and soon found myself sitting at the kitchen table carefully completing each lesson. There I was, enthusiastically weeding out my negative tendencies and planting the positive behaviors needed to lead a more fulfilling life.
My absolute favorite concept presented by Debra J. Slover is that Hugh and I, and anyone else, can develop into a leader who does not require commanding a following. Good leadership, the type taught in the lessons, allows everyone to become a great leader of their own lives with a unique purpose, aim and love: a type of leadership that means a workable, imaginative co-existence where everyone is a leader.
After reading the book, I imagined all sorts of people using the book to replace counter productive, self-victimization with new direction. I especially could visualize people in positions of authority using the book to understand how their role could be more empowering than overpowering.
I recommend the book to individuals looking for a private experience for self emancipation and to all types of groups looking for common instruction on developing a thriving, cooperative mission.
