What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding the Gaps
A stellar career in umpiring, coaching, training and administration has taught Simon Taufel what it takes to get to number one and stay there. This book is a way of sharing those lessons and transferable soft skills that can be applied to anyone or any vocation.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
17 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 8, 2019
Simon Taufel has been adjudged the Umpire of the Year from 2004 to 2008. The Award was introduced only in 2004. Winning it 5 times in a row is no joke. We may not be knowing the nuances of what goes into umpiring and probably might be of the opinion that they do not have any work other than standing on the field and adjudging the game. If you had that notion on your mind, it is time to change since they do more than what we could ever imagine.
Through this book, Simon Taufel brought out the best characteristics of an umpire. It was written in such a way that it is applicable beyond the boundaries of umpiring. I was lucky to be at the book signing section which happened in Odyssey, Adyar yesterday(7/11/19) and I must say that I was fascinated and surprised by his fitness. We must note here that he has retired from cricket, long ago but the fitness he maintains till date is something one should be envy of. It happened because he was into sport coupled with his own interest which saw him approaching a fitness coach on his own who agreed to share the fitness regime(which was shared only to the players)on the condition that he relayed back his feedback and reports.
His thought process on Interpretation is amazing. He says that "There is no disputing the event was the same, but the interpretation based on how we think and our experiences means that we can see it differently. That just means we need to be respectful of the views of others because they are not right or wrong - they are just different".
I never knew that he was on the bus that was attacked in Pakistan during the Pakistan-Srilanka match and missed the bullet by a whisker. Man, that would have been an horrific day/incident, for sure.
When he talks about Planning, he asks us to make a note so that you do not forget things or conceive it in a different notion, if it was memorized. I do this, all the time.
Talking about Feedback, he wants us to consider or ask ourselves these three questions:
1. Was the source of Feedback credible?
2. Was the feedback valid and relevant?
3. Did the person giving the feedback have my best interests at heart?
How valid and true these points are.
He also goes about saying as to what he asks himself when it comes to the game "I can umpire well, I will umpire well, I am going to umpire well". It is these kind of notion which has kept him on top of his business. I was also stunned when I read about his knowledge of counting up to number 6 in Seven languages. As we know, the maximum runs one can score in the game of cricket is 6 and so as the number of deliveries in an over. He wanted to make the players feel well by conversing in their local language. It is to be noted here that when he came for book signing, he said "Vanakkam" and "Namaste".
By mentioning that "it's important to not forget where you came from, nor to forget those who have helped you along your journey", my admiration over him has grown manifold. It was stunning to know that the New South Wales Cricket Association has produced 12 Australian Test and 84 First-Class Umpires over the past 105 years. Simon also spoke about his personal life as to how he depended on his neighbors especially when he was touring abroad which showed his humble side.
His worst ever Test match was the match between England and Newzealand in 2004 where he made 6 incorrect decisions. He was gracious enough to accept his fault and man, he went on to become the greatest umpire for 5 years since then. He says that after spending 23 years in the cricket field, I am not the perfect umpire. How many have said this before?
He also spoke about how he made the Local Umpires understand that they are no different from the ICC Panel of Umpires and there is no "Senior" or "Junior" as they all wear the same logo an represent the same team.
The ICC PCT Code for Umpires on HONESTY was something new to me.
He has talked about few players in his book which includes Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara & Bevan, Mark Taylor, McGrath, Mahela Jayawardane and Inzamam. There is also a reference of Mahatma Gandhi.
His reference to Mark Taylor's score of 334 and declaring the game as he considered the game's end result on priority rather than his own personal record showed how some of the great players sacrificed for the sake of the game.
There are Key Summary Points at the end of each chapter. All I would say is author through his rich experience has brought out a book which would hold good not only for the game but also for the general principles in Life.....
Through this book, Simon Taufel brought out the best characteristics of an umpire. It was written in such a way that it is applicable beyond the boundaries of umpiring. I was lucky to be at the book signing section which happened in Odyssey, Adyar yesterday(7/11/19) and I must say that I was fascinated and surprised by his fitness. We must note here that he has retired from cricket, long ago but the fitness he maintains till date is something one should be envy of. It happened because he was into sport coupled with his own interest which saw him approaching a fitness coach on his own who agreed to share the fitness regime(which was shared only to the players)on the condition that he relayed back his feedback and reports.
His thought process on Interpretation is amazing. He says that "There is no disputing the event was the same, but the interpretation based on how we think and our experiences means that we can see it differently. That just means we need to be respectful of the views of others because they are not right or wrong - they are just different".
I never knew that he was on the bus that was attacked in Pakistan during the Pakistan-Srilanka match and missed the bullet by a whisker. Man, that would have been an horrific day/incident, for sure.
When he talks about Planning, he asks us to make a note so that you do not forget things or conceive it in a different notion, if it was memorized. I do this, all the time.
Talking about Feedback, he wants us to consider or ask ourselves these three questions:
1. Was the source of Feedback credible?
2. Was the feedback valid and relevant?
3. Did the person giving the feedback have my best interests at heart?
How valid and true these points are.
He also goes about saying as to what he asks himself when it comes to the game "I can umpire well, I will umpire well, I am going to umpire well". It is these kind of notion which has kept him on top of his business. I was also stunned when I read about his knowledge of counting up to number 6 in Seven languages. As we know, the maximum runs one can score in the game of cricket is 6 and so as the number of deliveries in an over. He wanted to make the players feel well by conversing in their local language. It is to be noted here that when he came for book signing, he said "Vanakkam" and "Namaste".
By mentioning that "it's important to not forget where you came from, nor to forget those who have helped you along your journey", my admiration over him has grown manifold. It was stunning to know that the New South Wales Cricket Association has produced 12 Australian Test and 84 First-Class Umpires over the past 105 years. Simon also spoke about his personal life as to how he depended on his neighbors especially when he was touring abroad which showed his humble side.
His worst ever Test match was the match between England and Newzealand in 2004 where he made 6 incorrect decisions. He was gracious enough to accept his fault and man, he went on to become the greatest umpire for 5 years since then. He says that after spending 23 years in the cricket field, I am not the perfect umpire. How many have said this before?
He also spoke about how he made the Local Umpires understand that they are no different from the ICC Panel of Umpires and there is no "Senior" or "Junior" as they all wear the same logo an represent the same team.
The ICC PCT Code for Umpires on HONESTY was something new to me.
He has talked about few players in his book which includes Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara & Bevan, Mark Taylor, McGrath, Mahela Jayawardane and Inzamam. There is also a reference of Mahatma Gandhi.
His reference to Mark Taylor's score of 334 and declaring the game as he considered the game's end result on priority rather than his own personal record showed how some of the great players sacrificed for the sake of the game.
There are Key Summary Points at the end of each chapter. All I would say is author through his rich experience has brought out a book which would hold good not only for the game but also for the general principles in Life.....
February 7, 2020
Simon Taufel is recognized as one of the best umpires in the history of Cricket. He's famous for his skills both on and off-field. Finding the Gaps is the book that contains Simon's secrets to success where he shares nuggets of wisdom.
I was thrilled to read his work which though focusses a bit too much on umpiring, also makes it a point that the content addresses the common challenges. The author has divided the information into chapters and focusses on one key aspect, at a time. He drives the conversation with his readers through sharing moments from his life. That keeps a reader engaged with the book. The writing is simple, comprehensible, and perfectly applicable in all the domains of our life. At the end of each chapter, you'd find the key points summarised concisely which keeps the process of learning smooth.
I specifically loved the part where the author talks about scenario-based planning and goes on to explain the six key areas involved in world-class preparation. His prime objective of talking about improving our lives turns out to be significantly fruitful.
If you are looking forward to a good non-fiction read, you should definitely pick this one!
I was thrilled to read his work which though focusses a bit too much on umpiring, also makes it a point that the content addresses the common challenges. The author has divided the information into chapters and focusses on one key aspect, at a time. He drives the conversation with his readers through sharing moments from his life. That keeps a reader engaged with the book. The writing is simple, comprehensible, and perfectly applicable in all the domains of our life. At the end of each chapter, you'd find the key points summarised concisely which keeps the process of learning smooth.
I specifically loved the part where the author talks about scenario-based planning and goes on to explain the six key areas involved in world-class preparation. His prime objective of talking about improving our lives turns out to be significantly fruitful.
If you are looking forward to a good non-fiction read, you should definitely pick this one!
February 29, 2020
Picked this book randomly from the book stall. Was expecting it to be about Taufel’s interesting episodes in cricket. However the book was more on life goals and improving one’s performance . I did like a few chapters on team mentoring and improving the team’s performance . The summary at the end of every chapter was somewhat unnecessary. There were pages on Taufel’s umpiring career and his interactions with players but were very few . Wish there were more ! An average read !
May 20, 2023
Finding the Gaps is more of a self-help book. It is a good read and some of the lessons one can easily implement in life to become better. Got to know how Umpires also prepare for the match day, their hierarchy, practice sessions which I never thought of.
March 30, 2020
74 test matches, 174 ODIs, 5 time ICC umpire of the year awardee, an elite panel of umpires by ICC - does not come with ease. Simon is a clear example of how he embraced the world of cricket and love from players so gracefully to be one of the most loved umpires in the world after David Shepherd.
I have always been a fan of cricket but more to understand the process that goes behind cricketing minds. This is my third book in the field of cricket but it was amazing to read from the umpire's perspective. Several elements to umpiring such as pre preparations, on-field preparations, post-match preparations and practice off the fields were amazingly covered in this book. It’s never easy to be an umpire because not just your reputation is at stake but your decisions can really impact the course of the match.
Something exciting about this book was the shoot out an incident that he escaped in Lahore during the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2009, March 1st, which he terms to be one of the hardest days of this life.
Cricket umpires nearly spend over 80% of annual days either office travel or matches and he does tall in this book about the family importance and support one needs to have in the longevity of achievements. The sacrifices and compromises the family makes is undoubtedly the most critical subject of success.
Read this book, if you wanna know about
1. Umpiring mental and physical training assembly
2. Decision making Control over speech and the right speak-up time
3. Being coachable
4. team building and peer relations
For more blog posts from me, visit: http://prajyot.com
I have always been a fan of cricket but more to understand the process that goes behind cricketing minds. This is my third book in the field of cricket but it was amazing to read from the umpire's perspective. Several elements to umpiring such as pre preparations, on-field preparations, post-match preparations and practice off the fields were amazingly covered in this book. It’s never easy to be an umpire because not just your reputation is at stake but your decisions can really impact the course of the match.
Something exciting about this book was the shoot out an incident that he escaped in Lahore during the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2009, March 1st, which he terms to be one of the hardest days of this life.
Cricket umpires nearly spend over 80% of annual days either office travel or matches and he does tall in this book about the family importance and support one needs to have in the longevity of achievements. The sacrifices and compromises the family makes is undoubtedly the most critical subject of success.
Read this book, if you wanna know about
1. Umpiring mental and physical training assembly
2. Decision making Control over speech and the right speak-up time
3. Being coachable
4. team building and peer relations
For more blog posts from me, visit: http://prajyot.com
March 2, 2022
- Book Review: "Finding the Gaps" by Simon Taufel - 📚🏏🇦🇺
In "Finding the Gaps", Simon Taufel shares life lessons from his career as an international cricket umpire.
Taufel's career is a stellar one, having been voted ICC Umpire of the Year a record five consecutive times from 2004 to 2008.
In the book - a fraction of which is an autobiography but most of which acts as a self-help book - Taufel systematically breaks down the formula for his professional mantra.
With every word and every stroke of the pen, the reader cannot help but feel impressed by Taufel's supreme professionalism and dedication to his craft. Even something as seemingly benign an activity as umpiring a cricket match is shown to be anything but. Rather, it is clear from Taufel's experiences that umpiring a cricket match on a global stage is arguably every bit a challenge as playing one.
The highlight of the book is without doubt in it's opening act. In an emotionally charged first chapter, Taufel shares the traumatic and life changing experience of being part of the 2009 Sri Lankan cricket team's entourage that came under a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan. This chapter and the experiences felt therein is in itself worth a separate book all to it's own.
If there's any negative I have about the book, it is the fact that personal stories such as these are few and far between.
But overall, the book is solid and unpretentious and well worth a read for both sports and non-sports fans alike.
My rating: 4.5/ 5 stars ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️🌙
In "Finding the Gaps", Simon Taufel shares life lessons from his career as an international cricket umpire.
Taufel's career is a stellar one, having been voted ICC Umpire of the Year a record five consecutive times from 2004 to 2008.
In the book - a fraction of which is an autobiography but most of which acts as a self-help book - Taufel systematically breaks down the formula for his professional mantra.
With every word and every stroke of the pen, the reader cannot help but feel impressed by Taufel's supreme professionalism and dedication to his craft. Even something as seemingly benign an activity as umpiring a cricket match is shown to be anything but. Rather, it is clear from Taufel's experiences that umpiring a cricket match on a global stage is arguably every bit a challenge as playing one.
The highlight of the book is without doubt in it's opening act. In an emotionally charged first chapter, Taufel shares the traumatic and life changing experience of being part of the 2009 Sri Lankan cricket team's entourage that came under a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan. This chapter and the experiences felt therein is in itself worth a separate book all to it's own.
If there's any negative I have about the book, it is the fact that personal stories such as these are few and far between.
But overall, the book is solid and unpretentious and well worth a read for both sports and non-sports fans alike.
My rating: 4.5/ 5 stars ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️🌙
April 11, 2020
I managed to get a signed copy of this book after I met Simon Taufel at the Banglore lit fest. I only knew him as a world class umpire and did not know what to expect from the book. So here is what it is not- it is not a cricketing memoir full of juicy anecdotes. There are some anecdotes sprinkled here and there, like his brush with mortality duirng the Lahore attack on the Lankan cricket team.
But the focus of this book is on self improvement. You could loosely call it a self help book. Simon is the right person to be talking of how to cope and perform in a demanding job with low margin for error. I found a lot of it useful to my life too particularly his emphasis on building up a routine, the difference between concentrating and focussing and the emphasis on the process rather than the outcome. There are some good insights into what makes a good leader. The acronyms sounded a little silly sometimes but overall a good read if you know what to expect.
But the focus of this book is on self improvement. You could loosely call it a self help book. Simon is the right person to be talking of how to cope and perform in a demanding job with low margin for error. I found a lot of it useful to my life too particularly his emphasis on building up a routine, the difference between concentrating and focussing and the emphasis on the process rather than the outcome. There are some good insights into what makes a good leader. The acronyms sounded a little silly sometimes but overall a good read if you know what to expect.
November 9, 2021
NOT WHAT I EXPECTED
I expected to read about Simon's interactions with players,board members fellow umpires spectators both on and off the field.I also wanted to read about his good/bad/uglymoments on and off the field including his tough matches/decisions.I instead got much less of that and more how he prepared himself mentally and physically for his job.I was quite disappointed that i didn't get to read what i was really looking for.However if one's focus is on how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the job of an international umpire(and not what i was looking for)then it's an excellent book to read.
I expected to read about Simon's interactions with players,board members fellow umpires spectators both on and off the field.I also wanted to read about his good/bad/uglymoments on and off the field including his tough matches/decisions.I instead got much less of that and more how he prepared himself mentally and physically for his job.I was quite disappointed that i didn't get to read what i was really looking for.However if one's focus is on how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the job of an international umpire(and not what i was looking for)then it's an excellent book to read.
August 15, 2022
Finding the Gaps had been on my bucket list ever since I completed a Personality Development course by Simon Taufel in September 2020.
The book covers various lessons and experiences of Simon Taufel as an umpire. For a cricket lover, the book has many incidents and anecdotes from cricket matches that the author has officiated in.
Overall, Finding the Gaps provides great insights into self development that one can learn from and follow in their own lives.
The book covers various lessons and experiences of Simon Taufel as an umpire. For a cricket lover, the book has many incidents and anecdotes from cricket matches that the author has officiated in.
Overall, Finding the Gaps provides great insights into self development that one can learn from and follow in their own lives.
January 29, 2020
Excellent book where Simon shares his life experiences , beautifully described how to get moving with life, how to tackle the bad how to groom the good.
July 13, 2020
Good book on leadership and organisational skills.....be it in sports or any aspects of life......
November 19, 2020
Very good book to read. Highly recommended for those wanted to be a successful person in life or organisation at the highest level.
May 2, 2022
‘Finding The Gaps’ by Simon Taufel is a self-improvement book aiming to help you unlock your full potential.
The book is lucidly written and will instantly connect to you at a personal level. The perspectives have been shared from the point of the match officials or the ‘third team’, as Simon calls it. The five time ICC Umpire of the year lists his struggles and challenges of being a part of the third team for almost 23 years.
He shares his experience of umpiring in different countries, adapting to diverse cultures, being well versed with laws of the game and dealing with umpire-player conflicts - all of which makes for a compelling read. The book shall make you appreciate his journey to the pinnacle of umpiring.
The book is neatly organized in seventeen chapters, each chapter providing insights on a key life-skill. Even though the references used in the book are mostly related to cricket, the life-lessons discussed shall benefit everyone including aspiring coaches, entrepreneurs and leaders.
It does get theoretical at times but the presence of real life incidents and anecdotes help you sail through.
If you are looking for a sports non-fiction that is not too focused on the intricacies of cricket, you can go for this book.
The book is lucidly written and will instantly connect to you at a personal level. The perspectives have been shared from the point of the match officials or the ‘third team’, as Simon calls it. The five time ICC Umpire of the year lists his struggles and challenges of being a part of the third team for almost 23 years.
He shares his experience of umpiring in different countries, adapting to diverse cultures, being well versed with laws of the game and dealing with umpire-player conflicts - all of which makes for a compelling read. The book shall make you appreciate his journey to the pinnacle of umpiring.
The book is neatly organized in seventeen chapters, each chapter providing insights on a key life-skill. Even though the references used in the book are mostly related to cricket, the life-lessons discussed shall benefit everyone including aspiring coaches, entrepreneurs and leaders.
It does get theoretical at times but the presence of real life incidents and anecdotes help you sail through.
If you are looking for a sports non-fiction that is not too focused on the intricacies of cricket, you can go for this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews