Robert Naylor Jr. publishes leadership book rooted in reflection and purpose
JANS – Mississippi native and Jackson State University graduate Robert Naylor Jr. has published his first book, The Soul of a Leader: Reflections and Meditations on Leadership, a work that offers a distinctive and deeply personal approach to leadership development.
Naylor, who was raised in Meridian, Mississippi, maintains strong ties to the state that shaped both his early life and professional path. He earned his undergraduate degree from Jackson State University before beginning a journalism career that included significant time in Mississippi. Among his roles, he served as Associated Press bureau chief in Jackson, where he led coverage of major statewide issues and helped shape news reporting across the region.
His Associated Press career also included serving as a Washington reporter and later as a senior news executive at AP’s New York headquarters.
Now a leadership coach and consultant, Naylor brings decades of experience into a book that challenges conventional ideas about leadership. Rather than offering formulas or quick fixes, The Soul of a Leader is structured as a yearlong journey of reflection and practice, guiding readers to examine how they lead themselves, which serves as the foundation for how they lead others.
“Leadership is often treated as something external — about authority, decisions, and outcomes,” Naylor said. “This book focuses on the internal work of leadership, the awareness, discipline, and intentionality that shape how we show up in every space we lead.”
Each weekly entry includes a short essay, reflection questions, and practical exercises designed to help readers integrate leadership principles into their daily lives. The book is intended for use by individuals and groups, including workplace teams, community organizations, and leadership cohorts.
Naylor said the book may be particularly meaningful within faith communities, which have long served as cornerstones of leadership development in African American communities.
“For many of us, the church is where we first learn to lead, whether through ministry, service, or community engagement,” he said. “The structure of this book naturally lends itself to group reflection, making it well-suited for use in those settings.”
The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. For more information, visit www.naylorcoaching.coach.
