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Grit, Grace and Growth: Unfiltered Leadership Lessons
Grit, Grace and Growth - Unfiltered Leadership Lessons Written by Abdul Nasir Shaikh
Illustrated by Abhijit Kothawale
In Grit, Grace and Growth – Unfiltered Leadership Lessons, Abdul Nasir Shaikh draws upon a
lifetime of experiences shaped by humility, heritage, and hard-earned wisdom to deliver 51
deeply personal yet universally resonant leadership lessons. Woven with insights from his
journey across continents, from hospitality boardrooms to entrepreneurial boardrooms...
this book is not just a guide to leading others, but a call to lead oneself with authenticity,
courage, and purpose.
Rooted in values passed down by his mother and inspired by moments of resilience,
compassion, and reflection, each chapter offers actionable takeaways and introspective
prompts for today’s leaders, aspiring changemakers, and those seeking meaning beyond
metrics. A blend of storytelling and strategy, Grit, Grace and Growth invites readers to
embrace the unfiltered truth behind leadership, that it is as much about strength as it is
about softness.
Elevating the narrative further, the book features stunning, thought-provoking illustrations
by the gifted Abhijit Kothawale, each artwork a visual echo of the emotions and lessons
captured in its pages.
Illustrated by Abhijit Kothawale
In Grit, Grace and Growth – Unfiltered Leadership Lessons, Abdul Nasir Shaikh draws upon a
lifetime of experiences shaped by humility, heritage, and hard-earned wisdom to deliver 51
deeply personal yet universally resonant leadership lessons. Woven with insights from his
journey across continents, from hospitality boardrooms to entrepreneurial boardrooms...
this book is not just a guide to leading others, but a call to lead oneself with authenticity,
courage, and purpose.
Rooted in values passed down by his mother and inspired by moments of resilience,
compassion, and reflection, each chapter offers actionable takeaways and introspective
prompts for today’s leaders, aspiring changemakers, and those seeking meaning beyond
metrics. A blend of storytelling and strategy, Grit, Grace and Growth invites readers to
embrace the unfiltered truth behind leadership, that it is as much about strength as it is
about softness.
Elevating the narrative further, the book features stunning, thought-provoking illustrations
by the gifted Abhijit Kothawale, each artwork a visual echo of the emotions and lessons
captured in its pages.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published November 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 13, 2026
I recently finished "Grit, Grace and Growth" by Abdul Nasir Shaikh, and I have to say it’s not what I expected from a "leadership" book. In a world full of corporate jargon and heavy textbooks, this felt like a breath of fresh air.
From the very first page, it didn't feel like I was being lectured. Instead, it felt like I was sitting across from a seasoned mentor, sharing coffee and real stories. The tone is so gentle and sincere that I found myself trusting the voice behind the words almost immediately. It’s "lived-in" advice, earned through years of experience rather than just theoretical study.
What really touched me were the "Three Pillars":
Grit: The resilience to face the hard days.
Grace: The reminder that humility and compassion are actually leadership "superpowers."
Growth: The idea that we are always evolving, both at work and in our personal lives.
One of my favorite parts of the experience was the illustrations. They aren't just decorations; they act as "breathing spaces." Between the short, bite-sized lessons, the artwork gave me a moment to pause, look away from the text, and actually reflect.
The book includes a dedicated reflection space at the end of each chapter, which changed everything for me. It transformed the book from a passive read into an interactive journey. I found myself pausing to connect his lessons on courage and accountability to my own journey, making the insights feel deeply personal.
If you’re a new manager, a busy professional, or just someone trying to lead your own life with more intention, this book is for you. It’s a beautiful reminder that humane leadership is just as important as being effective. It’s practical, it’s kind, and it’s deeply grounding.
From the very first page, it didn't feel like I was being lectured. Instead, it felt like I was sitting across from a seasoned mentor, sharing coffee and real stories. The tone is so gentle and sincere that I found myself trusting the voice behind the words almost immediately. It’s "lived-in" advice, earned through years of experience rather than just theoretical study.
What really touched me were the "Three Pillars":
Grit: The resilience to face the hard days.
Grace: The reminder that humility and compassion are actually leadership "superpowers."
Growth: The idea that we are always evolving, both at work and in our personal lives.
One of my favorite parts of the experience was the illustrations. They aren't just decorations; they act as "breathing spaces." Between the short, bite-sized lessons, the artwork gave me a moment to pause, look away from the text, and actually reflect.
The book includes a dedicated reflection space at the end of each chapter, which changed everything for me. It transformed the book from a passive read into an interactive journey. I found myself pausing to connect his lessons on courage and accountability to my own journey, making the insights feel deeply personal.
If you’re a new manager, a busy professional, or just someone trying to lead your own life with more intention, this book is for you. It’s a beautiful reminder that humane leadership is just as important as being effective. It’s practical, it’s kind, and it’s deeply grounding.
January 13, 2026
When I picked up Grit, Grace and Growth, I was looking for something honest and useful, not a heavy leadership textbook. What I found was a warm, straight-talking book filled with short, real lessons drawn from the author’s life. It felt like someone experienced was sitting across from me, sharing what actually matters, and reminding me that humane leadership is just as important as effective leadership.
The book is built around bite-sized leadership lessons shaped by the author’s career and personal experiences. Each chapter focuses on a single idea — courage, listening, accountability, compassion, and self-awareness. What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t stay limited to business success. It keeps coming back to the inner work that makes leadership stable, trustworthy, and human.
The structure works really well. Chapters are short and easy to read, which makes the book perfect for slow, reflective reading. The mix of personal stories and practical takeaways keeps things grounded and relatable.
The tone is gentle and sincere. There’s no attempt to impress with big words or corporate jargon. The writing feels lived-in, like advice earned through experience rather than theory. That made it easy for me to trust the voice behind the words.
I also liked the illustrations scattered through the book. They add emotional depth and give the reader small breathing spaces between lessons, making the reading experience calmer and more reflective.
What stayed with me most were the reminders about authenticity and balance. The book shows that strength and compassion can exist together, and that everyday actions shape trust more than grand leadership speeches.
My only small critique is that a few lessons felt like they could have gone slightly deeper with longer examples. The short format works well overall, but I occasionally wanted more detail in certain places.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is sincere, practical, and kind. A good fit for new managers, busy professionals, or anyone who wants to lead with more intention, clarity, and humanity.
The book is built around bite-sized leadership lessons shaped by the author’s career and personal experiences. Each chapter focuses on a single idea — courage, listening, accountability, compassion, and self-awareness. What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t stay limited to business success. It keeps coming back to the inner work that makes leadership stable, trustworthy, and human.
The structure works really well. Chapters are short and easy to read, which makes the book perfect for slow, reflective reading. The mix of personal stories and practical takeaways keeps things grounded and relatable.
The tone is gentle and sincere. There’s no attempt to impress with big words or corporate jargon. The writing feels lived-in, like advice earned through experience rather than theory. That made it easy for me to trust the voice behind the words.
I also liked the illustrations scattered through the book. They add emotional depth and give the reader small breathing spaces between lessons, making the reading experience calmer and more reflective.
What stayed with me most were the reminders about authenticity and balance. The book shows that strength and compassion can exist together, and that everyday actions shape trust more than grand leadership speeches.
My only small critique is that a few lessons felt like they could have gone slightly deeper with longer examples. The short format works well overall, but I occasionally wanted more detail in certain places.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is sincere, practical, and kind. A good fit for new managers, busy professionals, or anyone who wants to lead with more intention, clarity, and humanity.
January 7, 2026
Grit, Grace and Growth delves into the essence of authentic leadership, blending personal narrative with practical wisdom. The author, Abdul Nasir Shaikh, draws from lived experience to craft a book that is both reflective and action-oriented, making it relevant for seasoned executives, emerging leaders, and anyone seeking to lead with purpose in today’s complex professional landscape.
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on three foundational pillars — grit, grace, and growth. “Grit” speaks to the resilience required to face adversity; “Grace” underscores the importance of empathy and humility in leadership; and “Growth” highlights continuous development both personally and within teams. Through a series of unfiltered leadership lessons, Shaikh challenges conventional leadership paradigms, urging readers to cultivate inner strength while remaining grounded in compassion.
The narrative is accessible yet profound, anchored in real-world insights rather than abstract theory. Illustrations by Abhijit Kothawale add visual clarity to key concepts, reinforcing the book’s message with engaging and memorable imagery. Readers have praised the book for being easy to read while offering practical, in-depth strategies for effective leadership and management.
Importantly, Grit, Grace and Growth does more than teach how to lead others — it encourages leaders to lead themselves first, fostering authenticity, courage, and purpose. By interweaving personal values with professional competencies, the book positions leadership as a holistic journey rather than a set of skills to be mastered.
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on three foundational pillars — grit, grace, and growth. “Grit” speaks to the resilience required to face adversity; “Grace” underscores the importance of empathy and humility in leadership; and “Growth” highlights continuous development both personally and within teams. Through a series of unfiltered leadership lessons, Shaikh challenges conventional leadership paradigms, urging readers to cultivate inner strength while remaining grounded in compassion.
The narrative is accessible yet profound, anchored in real-world insights rather than abstract theory. Illustrations by Abhijit Kothawale add visual clarity to key concepts, reinforcing the book’s message with engaging and memorable imagery. Readers have praised the book for being easy to read while offering practical, in-depth strategies for effective leadership and management.
Importantly, Grit, Grace and Growth does more than teach how to lead others — it encourages leaders to lead themselves first, fostering authenticity, courage, and purpose. By interweaving personal values with professional competencies, the book positions leadership as a holistic journey rather than a set of skills to be mastered.
January 12, 2026
Grit, Grace and Growth is a thoughtful and grounding read on what leadership truly means. The author shares lessons drawn from real life and experience s. The tone feels honest, calm, and deeply personal. It reminded me that leadership begins within, long before it shows outwardly.
Each chapter is short, clear, and easy to absorb. The lessons focus on values like humility, resilience, compassion, and courage. What I appreciated most is how practical the insights are. These are lessons you can reflect on daily, whether you are a leader at work or in your own life.
One of the book’s highlights is its stunning illustrations. Every chapter is paired with artwork that beautifully captures the emotion of the lesson. The visuals add depth and make the reading experience more engaging and memorable.
Another thoughtful touch is the reflection space at the end of each chapter. It invites you to pause, think, and connect the lesson to your own journey. This makes the book feel interactive rather than passive.
Overall, this book is about steady growth, inner strength, and leading with grace. A meaningful read for anyone seeking purpose-driven leadership and personal growth.
Each chapter is short, clear, and easy to absorb. The lessons focus on values like humility, resilience, compassion, and courage. What I appreciated most is how practical the insights are. These are lessons you can reflect on daily, whether you are a leader at work or in your own life.
One of the book’s highlights is its stunning illustrations. Every chapter is paired with artwork that beautifully captures the emotion of the lesson. The visuals add depth and make the reading experience more engaging and memorable.
Another thoughtful touch is the reflection space at the end of each chapter. It invites you to pause, think, and connect the lesson to your own journey. This makes the book feel interactive rather than passive.
Overall, this book is about steady growth, inner strength, and leading with grace. A meaningful read for anyone seeking purpose-driven leadership and personal growth.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews