Know Can Do!

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Know Can Do!Know Can Do!: Put Your Know-How Into Action
by Ken Blanchard, Paul J. Meyer, and Dick Ruhe

Here’s another of the marvelous “mini-books” (112 pages) on the shelves today aimed at inspiring readers to greater achievement via a business fable offering wisdom, strategies, and tools. This one comes to us from a trio of well-known authors who have each made a name for himself in his own right … Ken Blanchard (author or co-author of more than 40 books), Paul Meyer (founder of Success Motivation Institute), and Dick Ruhe (popular motivational speaker, consultant and trainer).

This book addresses an issue that seems to be getting a lot of attention in this day of economic crisis, global competition, and the dire need for enhanced performance. We’ve focused on this very concern a great deal in our blog as well as our seminars and keynotes. The co-authors focus on the often obvious “knowing-doing gap” and how it can affect your staff and organization.

The co-authors use the fable format to focus on the gap between what people know: all the good advice they’ve digested intellectually from books, seminars, and training courses and what they actually do.

The story focuses on a well-known author who is troubled by this “knowing-doing gap” and searches for a solution to this growing challenge. During his journey he meets a legendary businessman who has discovered the secrets of putting knowledge into action. The businessman teaches the author the three reasons people don’t make the leap from knowing to doing and the key to overcoming these roadblocks.

You’ll immediately recognize the roadblocks:

  • Information overload … which increases annually. Learn the “Less-More Philosophy.”
  • Negative Filtering … solved by Listening with a Positive Mindset and utilizing Green Light Thinking.
  • Lack of Follow-Up … the toughest hurdle of all. The solution here, while simplistic, will amaze you.

This book lays out a straightforward method for learning more, learning better, and making sure you actually use what you learn. As simplistic as that may sound, closing the “knowing-doing gap” is an endless source of frustration for individuals and organizations as well. At last, here’s an answer to the question, “Why don’t I do what I know I should do?”

Know Can Do! teaches people at all levels how to apply life-changing techniques to reach their fullest potential.

I’m giving serious consideration to making Know Can Do! required reading for all of our future seminars in the hope that we can close that challenging and ever-growing “knowing-doing gap.”

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading

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Leadership GoldLeadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading
by John C. Maxwell

If you’ve been following our book reviews over the years, you probably know how I feel about this particular author. Of his 42 best sellers, this is the sixth book that I’ve reviewed here. To me, reading one of his books provides me with the content of four books by any other author. It takes me two full liquid hi-liters to finish each of his books as he packs each with great applicable material from cover to cover.

This internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author has sold over 13-million books, and his organizations have trained more than two million leaders worldwide. He was named the World’s Top Leadership Guru by Leadershipgurus.net. I don’t share these facts to praise Maxwell … he doesn’t need my support. I do so in hopes you’ll realize how valuable his books can be to your leadership growth potential!

Let me explain why you may want to approach this book with an additional hi-liter:

  1. As usual, you can expect to find a tremendous number of relevant quotes by some of the greatest minds in history dispersed throughout this book.
  2. At the end of each of the 26 chapters, you’ll find what John calls a Mentoring Moment. Each is a short, thought-provoking gem which transforms that particular chapter into a one-on-one mentoring session with the author.
  3. There’s still another bonus at the conclusion of each chapter in the form of application exercises which underscore the importance of closing the knowing-doing gap by applying what you learn rather than just reading it.
  4. You’ll also discover a link that will transport you to a video clip of John teaching more of his leadership philosophy along with access to additional helpful tools and information.

This book is filled with stories of Maxwell’s leadership failures and successes and the nuggets of wisdom he gained as a result of both. The author has compiled the hardest-won leadership lessons of his life into a book that can be used to mentor future leaders … something that’s seldom done in today’s chaotic world. He’s sifted through a lot of dirt in order to deliver the gold!

More often than not, I learn more browsing the contents page of a Maxwell book than I do from reading the entire text of so many other authors. Let me show you what I mean. Consider these random chapter titles:

  • The Toughest Person to Lead Is Always Yourself
  • Never Work a Day in Your Life
  • The Best Leaders Are Listeners
  • A Leader’s First Responsibility Is to Define Reality
  • To See How a Leader Is Doing, Look at the People
  • Don’t Send Your Ducks to Eagle School
  • Your Biggest Mistake Is Not Asking What Mistake You’re Making
  • Keep Learning to Keep Leading
  • People Quit People, Not Companies
  • The Secret to a Good Meeting Is the Meeting before the Meeting
  • The Choices You Make, Make You
  • You Only Get Answers to the Questions You Ask
  • People Will Summarize Your Life in One Sentence—Pick It Now

Now tell me you haven’t been enticed to learn what may lie within each of those chapters. And if you don’t think the author is on target with his content, pause a moment to visualize a CEO, president, vice president, manager, supervisor, or even a team leader you’ve worked with over the years. Don’t you agree that this person would have benefited from a little more focus in some of the above areas? So will you! Do it now and prosper. Don’t wait and wonder what might have been.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade

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2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade
by Richard Laermer

This may take a bit of a stretch, but try to remember what your life looked like ten years ago. When you think about it, the last decade has produced a multitude of changes we never would have imagined.

Ten years ago the cost of a gallon of gas was $1.15, the average cost of a new car was $17,200, a U.S. postage stamp was 32 cents, a movie ticket was $4.50, a loaf of bread was $1.26, and a dozen eggs was 88 cents.

Prior to 1998 there was no FaceBook, no MySpace, no YouTube, no PayPal, no iPod, no Xbox, no Wii and no Google.

In 1998, the Twin Towers were still standing in New York City, airport security was a breeze and there was no $9 trillion deficit.

If you consider the enormous changes that have taken place in the past ten years, can you even begin to imagine what may occur in the next decade?

If you had that ability, you’d be what is known as a trendspotter. In this book by Richard Laermer, the author reveals the most functional forecasting secrets of professional trendspotters. The book is divided into nine categories, with more than 72 “short-short” chapters with dozens of outrageous sidebars. Each of the chapters is only two to five pages long, and each starts out with a particular trend. This structure certainly contributes to a fast, comprehensive read that other authors should consider.

Laermer, CEO of veteran trendspotting public relations firm RLM PR, foresees a fabulous future regardless of what today’s headlines may indicate. However, he asserts that planning for that future must begin immediately, and he proceeds to share his knowledge of how to:

  • Read the signs.
  • Influence the trends.
  • Embrace new and reject stodgy.
  • Anticipate change.
  • Ask experts the right questions.
  • Seek out visionaries and snub fakers.
  • Separate the trends from fads.
  • Use technology for everything.
  • Cash in on being ahead of the competition!

This book is packed with eye-popping predictions (and realities) on how you’ll live, work, play, buy, sell, talk, text, laugh, and more. Learn how to participate in change instead of trailing it.

Learn why GUMBY will be the mascot of 2011 and get familiar with the terminology that will one day be commonplace in our society, Terms such as TechnoStalgia, Caboodle, Disruptitude, Practactics, SpontaNoEity, Chapterization, Paper Battery, Footnotoooriety, Discordianism, and Prosumerism.

If you’re looking for surprising observations, shocking statistics, sublime insights, and wholesome food for thought, you’ll find it all within these pages. But most importantly, the author will give you the tools, skills and techniques to not only see but profitably predict the future for yourself and your business.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Death to All Sacred Cows

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Death to All Sacred CowsDeath to All Sacred Cows: How Successful Business People Put the Old Rules Out to Pasture
by David Bernstein, Beau Fraser, and Bill Schwab

This book has received mixed reviews … everything from “totally worthless” to “memorable business book full of wisdom delivered with a wink.” Personally, I find any text generated on the subject of sacred cows is worth a glance, especially in today’s chaotic business environment when so many of those sacred cows are being eliminated by technology, competition, government regulations, budget, and customer demands.

A few years ago I wrote a review on another best seller, Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers, which can be found on our website. Both books deal with a crucial subject we can no longer neglect and both publications used humor to drive home their messages. The authors of this book, however, may have gone a little overboard in their attempt to interject humor in every paragraph of every chapter introduction.

However, I learned many years ago that it’s near impossible to find an author who is capable of meeting your every need and requirement in their offering. Dealing with three authors makes it even more difficult. On the other hand, I will never pass up the opportunity to gain new knowledge simply because I’m not totally in agreement with something to do with the author … political affiliations, religious beliefs, sense of humor, business coalitions, etc. I’ve learned to overlook what I’m not comfortable with as I search for what may be beneficial for me in the future.

The three authors of this book, David Bernstein, Beau Fraser, and Bill Schwab, combine their talent and experience at their cutting-edge advertising agency, The Gate Worldwide, which has offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai. They know of what they speak.

Their book is based on the assumption that most middle managers today are intellectually lazy, making decisions based on the comfort of long-established rules, formulas, actions … something they refer to as sacred cows. They go on to explain how to identify a sacred cow, why these plodding beasts hinder creativity and innovative thinking and ultimately the growth of your organization.

While there are obviously many sacred cows, the authors identify 19 of the most obvious (and a number of lesser indiscretions which they humorously refer to as sacred veal) and in detail, explain how each may negatively impact the organization and needs to die.

Here are just a few that you’ll learn about:

  • “It’s okay to put up with jerks, if they’re talented.”
  • “Teams create the best solutions.”
  • “The customer is always right.”
  • “Always trust your research.” Don’t forget Henry Ford’s famous quote, “If I asked my customers what they wanted, they would’ve said a faster horse.”
  • “Don’t screw up.”
  • “Everyone deserves a second chance.”
  • “E-mail saves time.”
  • “Learn to multitask.”
  • “The sales force makes the sale.”

If you take just a moment to focus on your own work environment, I’m sure you’ll quickly acknowledge the existence of a good many sacred cows grazing lazily in the halls of corporate America.

The authors will reveal how to not only identify sacred cows but how to kill them … and they don’t stop there. They’ll also reveal brilliant alternatives that will help make your business more profitable, productive and innovative.

This bovine-bashing book will put a smile on your face one minute and then cause you to pause to ponder the existence of sacred cows in your own herd the next minute. The key, of course, is your own decision to take action on what you learn.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Education of an Accidental CEO

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The Education of an Accidental CEOThe Education of an Accidental CEO: Lessons Learned from the Trailer Park to the Corner Office
by David Novak and John Boswell

I’ve often mentioned that I admire any author and/or publisher who can create a cover or title that can grab a potential reader in the fraction of a second those browsing eyes scan the shelves. In this case, the cover has it all.

First of all, the title and subtitle tweaked my curiosity … “Accidental CEO?” That’s got to make you wonder. “Trailer Park to Corner Office?” Sounds like rags to riches and those stories are always inspiring. The big guy on the cover in the open-collared blue shirt grinning like he’s heading into the weekend with a blank check looks friendly enough but certainly nothing like your typical CEO. Liner notes by the richest man in the world, Warren Buffet, obviously adds credibility. The finishing touch for me came when I recognized the author’s name. David Novak is chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc., home to KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, and A&W All American Food. This was interesting to me because YUM! Brands was the first company we chose to kick off our blog feature “Who’s Yer Daddy?” Check it out to learn more about this very unusual organization and the man behind it. True to the title, this book focuses not on the five familiar fast-food brand names we see regularly from coast to coast. It spotlights, instead, David Novak—one of the most engaging, unconventional, and successful business leaders in today’s chaotic global marketplace.

As indicated by the subtitle, Novak actually did live in 32 trailer parks in 23 states by the time he reached the seventh grade. He went on to sell encyclopedias door to door, worked as a hotel night clerk, and took a job as a $7,200-a-year advertising copywriter with the hopes of maybe one day becoming a creative director. Instead, he became head of the world’s largest restaurant company at the ripe old age of 47.

As a result of that track record, Novak truly believes that people from ordinary and modest beginnings can accomplish great success in the business world. He learned how to be successful in a fiercely competitive world through his life lessons, and in this book, he shares a great deal of the street-smart wisdom he accumulated on that journey.

Several of his personal beliefs really jumped out at me as being very unpretentious but indeed lucrative and time-tested:

  • “You never know what you’re capable of.” (I’ve experienced this myself.)
  • “The best leaders are the best learners.” (Study bios for this common thread.)
  • “Each and every day provides the opportunity to learn and get better at what you do.” (Of course, we must seize that opportunity.)

Oddly enough, this very successful CEO never attended business school. His journey, however, brings the skill of learning to life. He takes immense pride in the fact that he gained so much wisdom from the “school of hard knocks” and feels that experience is a magnificent teacher.

He also credits some of his most impressive lessons to other very smart people:

  • Laker Magic Johnson taught him the secret of teamwork.
  • Warren Buffet shared what he looks for in the companies he buys.
  • John Wodden shared his knowledge of ego.
  • Jack Welch focused on one thing he would do over.

Not a bad teaching staff if I say so myself. However, to avoid jealously disguised as excuses, understand that you too have access to that same cadre or the equivalent. Read, ask, listen, research. It’s all available to anyone with a little initiative and discipline.

David Novak has always been a firm believer in the possibility of building an entire culture around reward and recognition—getting everyone from division presidents to dishwashers to buy into recognizing the achievements of others. His creative strategies for doing so have been studied by many other companies and discussed in this book in great detail.

Here’s a short example of what to expect within these 303 pages. Novak believes that “all the answers are in the building.” He says, “Every company is filled with experts. If you want to learn the company’s history, have a meeting with a 25-year veteran. If you want to know what customers are thinking, talk to the people who answer the 800-number calls. If you want to know why the trucks aren’t getting out on time, a route salesman who’s been at the job for a while is likely to know the answer.” Kind of an “Acres of Diamonds” concept, isn’t it? It certainly is sad that more leaders don’t capitalize on this basic concept.

Novak’s co-author, John Boswell, is a literary agent, a book packager, and the author or coauthor of 17 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School. He lives in New York City. These two literary specialists join forces to share with you what David has discovered about getting ahead and getting noticed; motivating people and turning businesses around; building winning teams and running a global company of nearly one million people; and always staying true to yourself.

By the way, all of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the United Nations World Food Program in conjunction with Yum!’s global hunger relief efforts. David also serves as a director of the Friends of the World Food Program.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Jacked Up

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Jacked UpJacked Up: The Inside Story of How Jack Welch Talked GE into Becoming the World’s Greatest Company
by Bill Lane

I must admit that I almost passed on this one. In a personal library I’m very proud of, you’ll find every book that’s ever been written by and/or about Jack Welch. My first thought upon seeing this new title was “What else is there to learn about this man and his legendary career?” My second thought led me to pick it up for a quick visual inspection, and my third thought cost me money and increased the size of my library.

I was also quite surprised at how much new information I gleaned from this unusual collection of anecdotes, conversation and explicit details of GE’s culture and the man who changed it so drastically.

I believe this book was somewhat unique in its offering since this is the first book by a GE insider. It was written by Bill Lane who was Welch’s speech-writer for 20 years. He joined GE in that position in 1980, after seven years at the Pentagon. From 1982 to 2001, he was also the Manager of Executive Communications for Welch at GE. Lane’s first-hand, fly-on-the-wall, insider tone and great style provides reader’s with a front row seat to Welch’s 20-year campaign to transform GE.

In addition to learning some interesting new tidbits about Jack Welch, probably the most renowned CEO of the 80s and 90s, and GE, one of the finest corporations in the world, I was also reminded of the many controversial concerns which have surrounded both the CEO and the corporate culture over the years.

According to the author:

  • Welch demanded that GE become a “learning company” which it did very successfully.
  • Welch’s legacy has been tarnished some by his severance package disclosures and a messy affair that led to divorce #2 and wife #3.
  • GE quickly removes those not performing and provides tutorials on desired behaviors at corporate seminars.
  • During the height of the GE years, it was a hard-working, hard-driving, hard-living, hard-drinking and hard-golfing crew. Forget about any rubbish regarding “work-life balance.” All is sacrificed to the gods of GE stock price.
  • Welch developed many successful techniques for quickly changing an organization’s culture.
  • There was an expectation of giving 110% (no going home regularly at 5 p.m.—sorry, soccer moms.)
  • GE raised the bar substantially on business presentations at every level.
  • This was not a happy place to work if you were not a white male.

The author speaks bluntly about the challenges to minorities and women in this “corporate culture” during the 80s and 90s although this was obviously politically incorrect. I must admit that I was surprised he actually documented this fact although it was evident at the time all over corporate America.

As you can plainly see, the author reveals the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to culture and leadership. The on-going love-hate relationship we share with General Electric and Jack Welch actually provides us with a tremendous learning opportunity. However, many people dislike this corporate giant and unique leader so much that they simply refuse to acknowledge them as a source of learning.

The book is organized into 84 short, interesting chapters which include italicized advice tips that summarize communications strategies.

I believe you’ll enjoy reading about the inner workings of G.E., and you’ll understand exactly how every leader can master the art of communication, to teach and inspire, shock and provoke, all at the same time.

You’ll witness laugh-out-loud-funny cameo appearances from boldface names like Southwest Airlines Herb Kelleher, Don Imus, Jack’s ex-wife Jane Welch, Conan O’Brian, and “Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog.”

Whether you envy or pity those at GE, agree or disagree with Welch and his iconization as The Ultimate CEO, you’ll find this book both educational and entertaining.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Mastering the Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success

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Mastering the Seven DecisionsMastering the Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success: An Owner’s Manual to The Traveler’s Gift
by Andy Andrews

Referred to as a companion volume or owner’s manual to The Traveler’s Gift, this book is a refresher course and excellent follow-up fortifying the original message with letters from established “successes” who share their enthusiasm for the author’s revelations. Andrews provides stories, examples and revisions of the wording of his first book that helps extend the reader’s ability to incorporate Andrews’ ideas.

Mastering the Seven Decisions guides readers to a profound understanding of how to fully integrate seven life-changing decisions into their daily lives. One way in which Andrews freshens his approach is to “rename” the seven decisions. In this book they become the following:

  • The Responsible Decision: The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. I will not let my history control my destiny.
  • The Guided Decision: I will seek wisdom.
  • The Active Decision: I am a person of action.
  • The Certain Decision: I have a decided heart. Criticism, condemnation, and complaint have no power over me.
  • The Joyful Decision: Today I will choose to be happy.
  • The Compassionate Decision: I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
  • The Persistent Decision: I will persist without exception.

The author provides you with an in-depth understanding of The Seven Decisions, exercises on how to integrate each, and authentic messages from celebrities, business leaders and athletes. The celebrity profiles include: Jimmy Dean, Bob Hope, Stan Lee, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Amy Grant, Norman Vincent Peale, and Joan Rivers.

You’ll also appreciate the many thought-provoking exercises offered throughout the book such as:

  • The Death Bed Exercise … Write a glowing, incredible eulogy that you would like to have read aloud at your funeral. Andrews also provides some key questions to encourage your creativity in this exercise.
  • 24 Hours to Live … What would I like to do with the next 24 hours of my life? Several leading questions guide you to what might be a surprising answer.
  • Others include Crafting Your Ultimate Vision, Harnessing Your Inner Circle, Capitalizing on Your Strengths and many more challenging exercises.

I personally appreciate the presence of dozens of inspirational quotations sprinkled throughout the entire book. You’ll find yourself often pausing to contemplate some pretty deep observations such as: “There are generations yet unborn who depend upon the choices you make, because everything you do matters—not just for you, not just for your family, not just for your hometown—everything you do matters to all of us—forever.”

The author certainly knows how to communicate his thoughts and ideas as he relates his information in a reader-friendly manner, allowing even the most doubting reader to grow from the experience. Motivational books, audio tapes, and seminars are obviously inspirational and simply make us feel good. However, reading, listening or attending doesn’t necessarily insure a behavior change which is what we truly desire and often need. Andrews offers exercises, techniques and encouragement to master that challenge of actively changing attitudes and behaviors. This is a book you’ll want to keep in a convenient location as you’ll find yourself returning to it regularly for an additional dose of inspiration and guidance.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Traveler’s Gift

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The Traveler's GiftThe Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success
by Andy Andrews

This is the first of two book reviews that deal with the works of a very unique author who deals with an extremely relevant subject.

Today’s worldwide environment is tremendously chaotic. Every newscast and/or newspaper presents us with a new challenge to add to a rapidly growing list of controversies we must deal with. Stress levels escalate as we contemplate the task of facing new decisions every day—many of which can be life-changing.

If there was ever a time for positive thinking, this is it. However, none of us wants it shoved down our throats at a time when we have so many negatives to deal with. Enter Andy Andrews. He may have been a bit of a futurist in 2002 when he offered us a very unique blend of fiction, history, allegory, and inspiration in his wildly successful parable, The Traveler’s Gift. It’s as though he was predicting the chaotic decisions we’d be facing in 2008 while presenting a variety of tools which can be used to make those critical decisions.

Rather than simply providing steps or another typical formula, Andy knows and respects the power of story-telling and therefore utilized that format by combining entertainment and education within the pages of what is destined to become a classic.

If you enjoyed It’s A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, you’ll want to add The Traveler’s Gift to your library of favorites. Author and motivational speaker Andrews effectively combines self-help guidelines with fantasy fiction to catch your interest and sustain momentum while simultaneously passing on excellent information that can change how you view and deal with the world, and ultimately, how the world deals with you.

Many will find it easy, indeed, to identify with the hero of this compelling story, the likable David Ponder. He’s facing many of the trials and tribulations that have become commonplace in today’s challenging society. David loses his confidence and his drive to survive as events beyond his control deprive him of money and his job … so much like so many of today’s citizens facing constant chaos. With a wife and daughter to support, he becomes seriously distraught and contemplates suicide.

David is rendered unconscious after a car accident and experiences an imaginary (or is it real?) journey into seven key points in history that form the bulk of the book. At each stopping point, he is met by historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Anne Frank, King Solomon, Harry Truman and Christopher Columbus, each of whom imparts one of the seven key decisions that the author contends are essential for personal success.

We’re sometimes so overwhelmed by the volume of decisions we must face that we don’t even consider the fact that decisions can be categorized for better clarification and understanding of the choices we face. I’ll share those seven critical decisions in greater detail in the following review of  Mastering the Seven Decisions.

After his travel through time, David regains consciousness in a hospital and discovers he is holding letters given to him by the various heroes. The letters offer familiar self-help counsel: accept that the buck stops with you, become a wisdom seeker and a person of action, determine to be happy, open the day with a forgiving spirit, and persist despite all odds.

Although Andrews writes from a Christian perspective, his overall message (trust that God is sovereign but do your part in making your future happen) will ring true with a broad spectrum of inspirational readers. Andrews does an exemplary job at providing positive suggestions for overcoming life’s obstacles.

Footnote:

After conversations with a number of friends and associates, I found that few were familiar with this author’s previous work even though his talent is known worldwide. Therefore, I feel compelled to share a bit of his background in the hopes that you’ll want to learn even more about Andy and his influential offerings. Check out our blog for a captivating bio on this best-selling author as we have added him to our “Meet The Authors” feature.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Art of War for Women

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The Art of War for WomenThe Art of War for Women: Sun Tzu’s Ancient Strategies and Wisdom for Winning at Work
by Chin-Ning Chu

The Art of War is a Chinese military dissertation written by Sun Tzu some 2,500 years ago. It contains 13 chapters, each of which is dedicated to one aspect of warfare. It has long been praised and studied as the definitive work on military strategies of its time. This work has had a large influence on both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, and beyond. In fact, for years now, I’ve seen books using this approach to many non-military areas such as The Art of War for Gardeners, The Art of War for Golfers, The Art of War for Marketers and the list goes on. Obviously, many authors have seen this title as a marketing tool to attract the attention of readers who have seen it on the book shelves for years.

This classic was first translated into a European language in 1782 and has been said to have possibly influenced Napoleon, General Douglas McArthur and even the planning of Operation Desert Storm.

In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on applying the Art of War philosophy to business and managerial strategies. This is what I find so very interesting about this trend. Today’s media talks much of the radical change we have experienced in recent years, and they warn us to expect more of the same in the future. To an extent that’s very true.

On the other hand, consider the things that remain the same after centuries of growth, education, progress, and technology enhancements. I find it fascinating that the problems that Sun Tzu wrote about 2,500 years ago are identical to those we face today! The solutions, to a great extent, are also the same. As you examine the 13 chapters, it’s very easy to feel as though you’re browsing a list of challenges which exist in today’s workplace. In short, we are reminded that there is nothing new under the sun. Our pressing issues today were just as important 2,500 years ago—the common and critical factor in this equation is PEOPLE. Addressing this factor has contributed much to the success of this philosophy.

Until now, Sun Tzu’s strategies have been focused on tactics for men facing great battles in a male-dominated world … as well it should have. However, in recent years, women have stepped up dramatically to gain center stage in many sectors of our culture. Note the fact that the U.S. is currently contemplating the election of our first female President. We’re in the midst of a revolution where woman are educated, can vote, and have full and equal rights alongside men … and women are capitalizing on this revolution more and more every day.

Author Chin-Ning Chu, an accomplished female Chinese business strategist, author, and internationally renowned speaker is a descendant of the pauper (Chu uan-Zhang) who became the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty by defeating the descendant of Genghis Khan. She is the President of Asian Marketing Consultants, Inc., chairperson of the Strategic Learning Institute, and President of Neuroscience Industries, Inc. She was also a major contributor to the Great Books series segment on The Art of War, which aired on The Learning Channel. In short, she’s more than qualified to speak on this subject!

Chin-Ning Chu has taken on the work of SunTzu in a fresh light. She took the strategies and tactics that had, until now, been fashioned for execution by men and translated them into a game plan that can easily and efficiently be understood and administered by women.

She tells her readers that for perhaps the first time in history, women can no longer attribute the traditional glass ceiling, their upbringing, or the competitive pressures of the world for their success or failure.

She shares a number of examples of women who claimed they were helpless, mistreated, and unfairly turned down for promotions and career advancement. After further investigation it was discovered that these women had actually sabotaged their own chances.

The author uses a nice blend of humor and advice as she converts these ageless strategies to female-friendly applications.

Here’s just a peek at some of her chapter content:

  • Winning by Wearing Glass Slippers or Combat Boots
  • The Twenty-First Century, the Women’s Century
  • A Womanhood Makeover
  • Kick Some Butt with your Jimmy Choos: Dealing with Sexual Harassment
  • Women are from Venus … Mars, the Moon, and Earth
  • Adopt the Best of Masculine and Feminine Energies

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is the most influential book on strategy ever published, selling tens of millions of copies worldwide in several editions. This brilliant adaptation of the ancient masterpiece shows women how to use that ageless philosophy to win in every aspect of life. It’s quite obvious that this book, The Art of War for Women, is certain to become a classic in its own right.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 18.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Black Swan

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The Black SwanThe Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Let me begin by stating right up front that this book isn’t for everyone. Check the following list to see if you should even bother reading on.

  • Are you comfortable operating “outside the box”?
  • Are you a risk taker?
  • Are you willing to extend your comfort zone?
  • Are you comfortable with the unknown?
  • Can you foresee opportunities?
  • Can you imagine the “impossible”?

If you’re not comfortable with the above questions or feel you must honestly answer “no” to any of them, do yourself a favor, save yourself some time and money, and find another book. This one won’t interest you.

If you can honestly answer yes to the above questions, you’ll find this book interesting and useful in advancing your career and successfully dealing with anything life may hold for you in the future.

Now, let’s begin by learning more about a “Black Swan” as defined by the author Nassim Nicholas Taleb:

A Black Swan is a highly improbable event with three principal characteristics:

  • It is unpredictable;
  • it carries a massive impact;
  • and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random, and more predictable, than it was.

Why the term “Black Swan”? Relatively simple. People in the Old World were convinced that all swans were white. Pretty hard to argue that point as no one had ever seen a swan of any other color. The sighting of the first black swan was obviously quite a shock to everyone.

However, that is not where the significance of the story lies. It illustrates a severe limitation to our learning from observations or experience and the fragility of our current knowledge. One simple observation can invalidate a general statement derived from a thousand years of confirmed sightings of millions of white swans. All you need is one single black swan. Need examples? No problem.

  • The astonishing success of Google, which propelled two young college students into the realm of billionaires, was a Black Swan.
  • 9/11 certainly falls into that category. Can you imagine gathering with a few friends on the evening of September 10 to discuss the possible odds of 19 terrorists high-jacking four major U.S. commercial airliners and directing them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and a vacant field in Pennsylvania? Unimaginable!
  • How about the rise of Hitler and the subsequent war?
  • How about the precipitous demise of the Soviet Bloc?
  • How about the rapid growth of the Internet?
  • How about the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism?
  • How about the market crash of 1987 and the more unexpected recovery?
  • How about the fads, epidemics, fashion, ideas, the emergence of art genres and schools?

All follow these Black Swan dynamics. Literally, just about everything of significance around you might qualify. Take just a minute to look closely at your own existence. Count the significant events, the technological changes, and the inventions that have taken place in our environment since you were born and compare them to what was expected before their advent. How many of them came on a schedule?

Now look into your own personal life, to your choice of profession or meeting your mate, your exile from your company of origin, the betrayals you faced, any sudden enrichment or impoverishment. How often did these things occur according to plan?

For the author, black swans underlie almost everything about our world, from the rise of religions to events in our own personal lives. Why do we not acknowledge the phenomenon of black swans until after they occur? Part of the answer, according to the author, is that humans are hardwired to learn specifics when they should be focused on generalities. We concentrate on things we already know and time and time again fail to take into consideration what we don’t know. We are, therefore, unable to truly estimate opportunities, too vulnerable to the impulse to simplify, narrate, and categorize, and not open enough to rewarding those who can imagine the “impossible.”

See the critical importance to our society of creative entrepreneurs, daring dreamers, and those who thrive on thinking out of the box? Let’s go back to 9/11—an event that has impacted millions of people world wide. Had the enormous risk been deemed conceivable prior to that historic date, it never would have happened! Fighter planes would have been in the air above New York City, all commercial airliners would have had locked bulletproof doors as they do today, no one would have been able to board a plane with box cutters, no one could have requested flight lessons less the take off and landing instructions without raising suspicions. In short, the attack would not have take place, period!

Now dare to relate that Black Swan to our business environment. It’s mind boggling when you consider the present state of the economy, trade balance, immigration, the energy crisis, the stock market, health care, education, social security, Afghanistan / Iran / Russia / China, home mortgages, an election year, and the list goes on. Is anyone in any organization considering the possible Black Swans awaiting us and how we should deal with them with they appear? Few, if any!

I can think of a number of corporate Presidents, CEOs, board members, and leaders at every level that should read this book in hopes of creating a “Black Swan” mind-set and encouraging their employees to do the same. Instead they will continue to concentrate on things they already know and time and time again fail to take into consideration what they don’t know, what they might do, what potential new approach might entirely change their operation. They continue to play it safe. They will suffer the consequences later.

And yet, we envy and respect those that have and do contemplate the potential Black Swans of our past, present and future. We call them creative entrepreneurs, daring dreamers, out of the box thinkers, and yes, even nuts. We should certainly be thankful that these characters keep emerging to aid our evolution.

This is an entertaining and enlightening book, and fairly easy to read. It has an important message regarding how the world works; that the world is governed not by the predictable and the average, but by the random, the unknowable, the unpredictable―big events or discoveries or unusual people that have big consequences. Change comes not uniformly but in unpredictable spurts. These are the Black Swans of the title: completely unexpected and rare events or novel ideas or technologies that have a huge impact on the world. Indeed, the author argues that history itself is primarily driven by these Black Swans.

(This book review was originally published in 2008 as one of the Top 10 Books – Edition 17.)

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.