Book Recommendation – The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain

by: Dan Beaulieu In Business book reviews

Dan 8A book recommendation from Dan Beaulieu.

The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain

By Victor Prince

Copyright 2017 Amacom

Price $21.95

Pages: 199 with Index

What a story! I didn’t even know about the Camino Way until I read this book.

Then I had to find out how reading about this book and what a pleasant surprise that was. Author Victor Prince uses the backdrop of his own pilgrimage along the Camino Way to give leadership lessons.

All along his thirty-day journey he received like every other pilgrim who takes this journey he stopped to have his Pilgrim’s “Passport” which formally documented and officially marked every step of his journey. He notices that on the back of the passport titled, “Spirit of the Camino” he found seven guideposts for not only the journey but also for all aspects of a life being well-lived. It was on these guideposts that he constructed his very useful and inspiring book.

Here they are:

  1. Welcome each day, its pleasures, and its challenges
  2. Make others feel welcome
  3. Live in the moment
  4. Share
  5. Feel the spirit if those who have come before you
  6. Appreciate those who walk with you today
  7. Imagine those who will follow you

Mr. Prince took these very valuable guideposts and turned them into chapters of the book. Relating first where he was on the pilgrimage in each chapter, talking about his own journey through life as well as the people he meets along the way.

Then as a special treat each chapter ends with what he calls a Camino Leadership Lesson here he applies the guideline to business and yes to life. Here is discusses lessons like, “Identify Hidden Pockets of Value” or “Maximize Recognition” where he demonstrates the value of recognizing people for their contributions.

And finally, he wraps up the book with a summary of lessons learned from Camino Way. The very fact that he ties in a religious experience with a personal experience with a business lesson was surprisingly appealing to me as I hope it will be for other readers.

This book is a true and unique pleasure to read and ponder.Dan 8