Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky

We are living in a troubling and fascinating time. President Zelensky has risen to our attention quite unexpectedly and with a profound sense of commitment to his people. This book offers lessons for all of us that we can draw upon from what we have witnessed in these past 18 months.

I’ve been fascinated with “Ze” for awhile now, since he entered the world stage when his country was invaded by Russia.
I like that this book had short, easy to digest chapters.
It felt part self help, part biography. It contained a lot of interesting facts about Zelenskyy.
A lot of the material was restated in different ways throughout the book, which got repetitive.
Overall an enjoyable and enlightening read.

This is an informative book about Volodymyr Zelensky, President of the Ukraine, a man who wanted to be (and was) a comedian until he was thrust on a much larger stage. The lessons he teaches by being humbly himself are quite valuable:

- How to be a person of integrity, humility, authenticity and truth, strong enough in your own sense of self and your inner moral compass to do the next right thing no matter the situation.

- How to garner support for your position by being open, vulnerable, and identifying common values and goals.

- How to communicate with others openly, honestly, and without regard to your own ego. The goal is what matters, not your ego.

- How to inspire others to unite for a common goal, believe in the impossible, and to each take an active role in making the impossible, possible.

We live in very interesting, challenging, and troubling times. In my humble opinion, we all have a responsibility to do our part in making them better, making the world better. I didn't know much about Volodymyr Zelensky before Russia attacked Ukraine. The author, Ms. Kanzer, a fervent (and sometimes fawning) fan of Zelensky, does. I'm glad she wrote this book.

My thanks to St. Martins Essentials for permitting me to read a DRC of this book via NetGalley. The book will be published October 24, 2023. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Who among us isn't interested in Mr. Zelensky? This book is sure to make an admirer out of anyone. Well written. I wonder if he would be interested in running for President? He would be better than what we have.

"Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky" by Jessie Asya Kanzer is a compelling exploration of the philosophies and life lessons inspired by the impactful statements of Volodymyr Zelensky during the critical events of the 2022 Russian invasion. Kanzer, a native Russian speaker like Zelensky, brings a deep understanding of the profound implications behind his words, making this book a rich and accessible guide for personal growth.

The book's emphasis on simplicity and relatability sets it apart, presenting a refreshing perspective on navigating life's challenges with grace and authenticity. Kanzer's "Tips from Ze" at the end of each chapter serve as practical and insightful tools, drawing from Zelensky's journey as a comedian turned political figure. These tips encourage readers to embrace empathy, humility, and understanding, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive approach to life.

Kanzer's personal connection to Zelensky's story adds a unique layer of intimacy to the narrative, creating a genuine and heartfelt portrayal of the man behind the leadership. Her portrayal of Zelensky as an advocate for the power of ordinary individuals to instigate extraordinary change is both inspiring and thought-provoking, urging readers to recognize the potential within themselves.

Overall, "Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky" is a thoughtfully crafted tribute to the enduring spirit of human resilience and the transformative impact of humility and authenticity. Kanzer's thoughtful analysis and personal insights make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky Lessons We Can All Learn from an Unexpected Leader by Jessie Asya Kanzer

240 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Essentials
Release Date: October 24, 2023

Nonfiction (Adult), Business, Leadership, Finance, Self-Help, Self-Motivation, Self-Empowerment

This is an uplifting book showing the reader that things in life could be different if looking at them from different perspective. Using Zelenskyy as an example, the author shows us positivity in all areas. She talks about hope, freedom, and truth.

The author has a unique writing style. She had me captivated and I could not put down the book until I was finished. She made so many good points throughout the book. If you like motivational stories, you will enjoy reading this one.

As a great admirer of the Ukrainian president, I was intrigued when I discovered the book, "Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky: Lessons We Can All Learn from an Unexpected Leader". I didn’t know what to expect but I am happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed.

Author Jessie Asya Kanzer immigrated to the United States from Soviet Latvia and has crossed paths with Zelenskyy*. She shares her personal experiences and how they relate to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She believes that he is a “profound philosophical leader of our generation”.

However, it is her analysis of his personality and how we can harness his strengths in our own lives that is the focus of the book. She goes into detail how Zelenskyy reveals authenticity, truth and honesty, and acts according to his core values. He is clear on his objectives and has overcome indecisiveness. Kanzer then details how we can do the same. She also explains his effective methods of communication and how we can develop these skills.

Even though Kanzer maintains that individuals must develop a particular strength or characteristic in their own lives in order to be able to project it to the world, I believe that some analogies are a stretch, relating the global to the individual. One example is comparing the act of choosing your own identity, (not the one predetermined for you) to that of how Zelenskyy is seeking to do that for Ukraine.

I also feel that the structure of the book could have been more consistent. Kanzer jumps around multiple topics. However, I found her study of different aspects of the Ukrainian war quite interesting.

Still, there’s a lot one can get out of "Unlocking Your Inner Zelensky". As we look deep into ourselves, there’s much we can learn from the Ukrainian president and former comedian.

*The author uses the Ukrainian spelling of Zelenskyy with the double ”yy”, instead of the Russian spelling using the single” y”, in deference to what she says the Ukrainian president prefers.

(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on Nov.7, 2023)

While for many years, I did not know who Zelensky was, he is a man whose name is now a household word. In this book, readers have a chance to learn more about him and his thinking.

Zelensky did not start out as a political aspirant. In fact, he was a comedian. Nonetheless, he became the president of his country and was called on to act during an incredibly difficult time.

In this book, the author shares a lot about herself as well as Zelensky. She gives readers a good insight into how Zelensky thinks and acts in the world, as well as what he values. In doing this, there are lessons for the reader to think about.

This book will encourage the reader to think about their own actions. Dip into the chapters; a few of them are titled How May I Serve?; Speak Truth to Everything; From Fear to Love; Create Faith and there are many more.

Note that the author once had contact with Zelensky before he was in politics. She clearly thinks very highly of him. Know this if that is bothersome this may not be the read for some.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-St. Martin’s Essentials for this title. All opinions are my own.