Blog Archives
Life is the Ultimate Wild Card
A Voice at the Table shares your story of overcoming adversities while growing up and learning to find your voice; it also teaches others to understand and empathize with people, encouraging self-awareness, kindness, and compassion for all. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I felt it was important to share that we all are going through something or dealing with things in life. Life is the ultimate wild card and keeps us on our toes. But, when we can be vulnerable and set egos aside we can share our challenges and learn from them. For me, I’ve been through a lot, it’s made me who I am and I wanted to share this story. Hopefully it will inspire others and motivate them to do something and not let adverse circumstances be a permanent road block.
Your book is more than a memoir; it is a call to action for leaders. What ideas were important for you to share in this book?
I’ve had the privilege and honor of being in various roles in my life, to include some leadership roles. In those roles I learned to empower all my team members to share their experiences. Whether it is in work or life itself, we can learn from more voices that share. Then together we are darn near unstoppable. We see and hear too many examples of bad leadership in the news and on social media these days. The majority of people are good and need to hear some positivity, they need to see the good out here. When we work together, regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, poor or rich, or the color of our skin, we can do some wonderful things. This makes an organization better and its team members. That bleeds over to our communities and little by little things improve. It’s work though and requires commitment.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It felt good to write and let my ideas and memories flow. As a recovering perfectionist, reliving some of those moments in my mind was frustrating. I made mistakes and missed some opportunities. But, even those moments were an opportunity to learn. Being able to take a step back and look at what I was able to put together was fulfilling and rewarding. Being vulnerable and having a willingness to share the dark events in life is tough. However, if it helps someone else to share and not be a victim of past event, then rock on.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
We are all in this together and together we can do some amazing things.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
We wacky humans are all wired differently. Our life, professional and educational experiences are all different and unique to us. We may have grown up in the same neighborhood, but our households were different. We can have the same degree, but our learning process and path are unique to us. Even our day in the same office is different, though we do the same thing. This is the magic of being human; we all have our own perspective and experiences. When we give each person a voice at the table we are harnessing the power of all that wonderful experience and knowledge. Readers at all professional levels will be able to understand how best to capture this helpful information and then learn from what we’ve done to improve what we do. You can reach out and connect with Brendan on Instagram @brendankellyaar.
No More Gold Stars: Regenerating Capacity to Think for Ourselves
No More Gold Stars by Carol Sanford is a thought-provoking exploration of how behaviorist principles have infiltrated our educational and societal systems, undermining individual self-determination and critical thinking. The author argues for a revolutionary shift towards nurturing self-directed learning and intrinsic motivation, away from the traditional reward-punishment paradigm epitomized by the ubiquitous gold star. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, theoretical discussions, and practical examples, the book challenges readers to reconsider how we raise children, educate students, and organize our institutions.
One of the book’s strengths is its compelling critique of behaviorism. Sanford does a masterful job of tracing the historical roots of this approach and its pervasive influence on modern education. By pointing out how behaviorist methods condition children to seek external validation rather than developing their own values and motivations, the book sheds light on a crucial issue. The discussions about how standardized education suppresses creativity and curiosity resonated deeply with me. It’s a call to action for educators and parents to foster environments where children can explore and learn autonomously. I also appreciated the practical suggestions offered for fostering self-determination in children. The author’s emphasis on Socratic questioning and reflective practices provides concrete tools that parents and teachers can implement immediately. Some sections delve deeply into philosophical discussions that provide rich, thought-provoking content for those interested in deeper exploration. The intermezzos inserted between chapters are designed to disrupt passive reading and encourage active engagement, offering unique opportunities for reflection. These exercises are crafted to cultivate critical thinking, and while they momentarily pause the book’s main narrative, they enrich the overall reading experience and underscore the book’s core message of fostering independent thought.
No More Gold Stars is a compelling and challenging read for anyone interested in education reform, parenting, or personal development. It will particularly resonate with educators, parents, and anyone disillusioned with the current state of our educational systems. The book’s call to embrace self-determination and critical thinking is timely and essential, making it a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation about how best to prepare our children for a rapidly changing world.
Pages: 265 | ASIN : B0CF48NZ12
A Voice at the Table
A Voice at the Table is a compelling memoir by Brendan T. Kelly, exploring his challenging childhood, the adversities he faced, and his journey to finding purpose. Raised in a single-parent household marked by poverty and social stigma, Kelly recounts his experiences from childhood to adulthood, highlighting his struggles with self-doubt, self-bullying, and feeling like an outsider. This vivid and honest narrative underscores the importance of resilience and understanding one’s “why,” making it a poignant, introspective, and candid read.
Kelly’s writing is both engaging and relatable, employing a conversational tone that makes readers feel as if they are having a deep, personal conversation with him. The seamless transition from one stage of his life to another is systematic and perfectly paced, allowing readers to process their emotions and reflect on their own lives. Kelly’s vivid recounting of key moments, such as failing first grade due to a lack of focus on academics and being teased for his speech impediment, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. His positivity and humorous approach help readers manage their overwhelming feelings, even as he discusses serious issues like mental health struggles, PTSD, and a suicide attempt. Kelly’s honesty and bravery in addressing these subjects are truly admirable.
The raw and relatable nature of Kelly’s writing makes it easy for readers to empathize with his struggles and triumphs. His story is authentic, and he skillfully balances serious moments with light anecdotes to keep readers focused on the book’s valuable takeaways. Among these takeaways are the importance of being kinder to oneself, finding one’s purpose, and appreciating the unique stories and perspectives of others. Kelly’s straightforward and unpretentious style, combined with his compassion and desire to add value to the reader, shines through in his writing.
A Voice at the Table offers readers a profound look into the life of Brendan T. Kelly. It is a story of overcoming adversity, finding one’s voice, and understanding the deeper reasons behind our actions. Kelly’s honest and reflective writing provides valuable lessons on resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of self-kindness. This book is not only a compelling personal narrative but also a guide for anyone seeking to understand themselves better and live a more fulfilling life. The generosity and concern for the welfare of others that Kelly demonstrates through his unflinching honesty is truly admirable.
Pages: 177 | ASIN : B0D56WHC2V
Be Human, Lead Human: How to Connect People and Performance
In her book, Be Human, Lead Human: How to Connect People and Performance, Jennifer Nash, Ph.D., brings a distinctive and deeply personal perspective to the topic of leadership. Drawing on her own experiences and contemplations, Nash takes the reader on a journey to explore what it truly means to lead with a sense of humanity in an era where traditional leadership methodologies often seem inadequate.
Nash’s narrative is not just a recount of her own journey; it serves as a catalyst for delving into the ethos and practices of Human Leadership. The book is peppered with engaging anecdotes and reflective insights that highlight the importance of empathy, authenticity, and connection in leadership roles. One of the book’s strengths lies in its emphasis on actionable advice. Nash opts for providing a constructive roadmap for evolving leadership practices, steering clear of merely critiquing conventional methods.
The inclusion of self-assessment exercises and “Pro Tips” throughout the book actively engages the reader, offering them tangible steps to enhance their leadership skills with compassion and effectiveness. Nash’s writing style is approachable and relatable, successfully weaving personal stories with professional insights. Her vivid descriptions, such as the image of a paper plate decorated with Superman stickers or the emotional resonance of receiving a handwritten note from a CEO, effectively draw the reader into the narrative. This approach not only engages the reader but also makes the material relevant and thought-provoking. The book does an excellent job of illustrating the significant impact that a human-centered approach to leadership can have in the workplace. It addresses common professional challenges, such as the silencing of diverse voices and adhering to the status quo, which will resonate with many readers.
Be Human, Lead Human: How to Connect People and Performance stands out as a thoughtful and insightful exploration of leadership. Nash offers practical advice for leaders looking to improve their approach to people management. The book is a valuable resource for leaders aiming to enhance their effectiveness and create a more engaging and fulfilling workplace in today’s dynamic work environment.
Pages: 346 | ASIN : B0BYKWRGH9
Understand the Process and Journey
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days teaches readers about the Profitable Growth Operating System (PGOS), featuring 80/20. Why did you feel compelled to write this book, and what was your hope that readers take away from it?
The journey of getting to the point where I could write this book has taken over 30 years. I have spent my career as a global business executive in various industries and markets focused on industrial and consumer products and services. Much of my experience has been rapidly turning around and then profitably growing a company. Throughout all of this, I have been repeatedly asked by my teams if is there a book that they can refer to help them understand the process and journey.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of your Business in 100 Days is the result of all of the hard work my team put into delivering superior results in both good markets and bad. As my friend Mitch Aiello said, “The book stands as a great step-by-step guide to identify the highest performing quadrant of a business, reduce unnecessary complexity, and redirect valuable resources to accelerate innovation, operational efficiency, and most importantly, profitable growth. The pages are full of fun and interesting historical references as well as humor and real-life case studies of businesses that were course-corrected through the 80/20 process.” I think Mitch is a bit of a genius.
What were some of the key ideas that you wanted to convey through your book?
The 80/20 Management Practice, also known as the Pareto principle, 80/20 is a management concept based on a natural law: 80% of results come from 20% of causes. It is a tool used to prioritize and manage resources, focusing on the most important and impactful activities that generate the majority of results. The principle suggests that organizations can achieve significant improvement by focusing their efforts on the 20% of activities that generate 80% of their results, rather than spreading their resources non-strategically across all activities.
The 80/20 principle can be applied in various ways, including time management, problem-solving, decision-making, and resource allocation. For example, in time management, individuals can use the 80/20 principle to identify the 20% of tasks that generate 80% of desired results and prioritize these activities. In problem-solving, the principle can be used to identify the root causes of issues and focus on solving the most impactful problems.
The 80/20 principle is a useful tool for organizations to achieve more with limited resources, but it is important to remember that it is an approximation and not a strict rule. It is a useful guideline that can help organizations focus their efforts and resources more effectively.
What do you think is the most common misconception people have about business growth, and how does your book address it?
The reason that 80/20 is so valuable is that it is counterintuitive. We tend to expect that all causes will have roughly the same significance, that all customers are equally valuable, or that every bit of business, every product, and every dollar of sales revenue is as good as another.
What is the next book you are writing, and when will that be published?
I am currently writing Earn the Right to Grow. It should be available in the Fall of 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
PGOS is based on the five management practices 80/20, strategy, talent, M&A, and lean. It is for all senior-level executives, established, rising, or aspiring, who want to lead their organization in strategic growth. PGOS was born in the intensely growth-focused environment of middle-market companies held by private equity, but it applies to virtually any business intent on improving and growing.
The middle market is a powerhouse for the U.S. economy. Yet many of these companies are little known to the general public. PGOS will help them break through with a proven process to double the company’s sales in three to five years.
Excerpt from the book:
EVEN GOOD COMPANIES lose their way.
When that happens, what do you need?
Profitable growth on demand. Now, in fact.
But who yuh gonna call?
The guy who’s got the operating system. And since I’m that guy—me—you now have access to the profitable growth operating system (PGOS) playbook that will show you how to turn your business around in 100 days, use the 80/20 principle to earn the right to grow and position it for long-term profitable growth. This book will walk you through all the strategic actions needed to prioritize everything possible on the 20 percent of investments, processes, products, and customers that generate 80 percent of your revenue. (80/20—that’s a thing. And not just a thing; it’s a natural law. Just 20 percent of what you do or spend generates 80 percent of your revenue. Don’t get too happy, though, because the other 80 percent of what you spend generates just 20 percent of your revenue.
About the Author:
Bill Canady has been leading companies to profitable growth for over 30 years. Working in a variety of industries and markets focused on industrial as well as consumer products and services, he brings to the table a unique Operating System and uses it in a 100-day campaign to position the company for profitable growth. Combining vision and process, Canady aligns leadership and other critical stakeholders to earn the right to grow and then to claim that right with a 3-to-5-year business plan for targeted strategic growth. He believes in bringing the right tools to the job and developing strong leaders and management teams to use them. His experience encompasses global public, private, and sponsor-owned firms.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days by Bill Canady is a practical and insightful guide for aspiring CEOs, department heads, and leaders across various sectors. Canady’s book is methodically structured into three sections, each addressing key aspects of business and leadership.
The first section lays a foundation, posing and answering pertinent questions that often challenge business leaders. This part emphasizes understanding your business, strategizing effectively, meticulous planning, and execution. The subsequent section dives into growth and expansion, enlightening readers on setting goals, developing strategies, structuring the organization, and formulating action plans. Particularly noteworthy is the practical guidance for navigating the initial 100 days in a leadership role. The third part of the book seamlessly extends this discussion, offering strategies for sustaining and advancing business operations beyond the first 100 days. Canady’s work is distinguished by its depth and comprehensiveness in covering leadership and management topics. His experience and extensive research are evident throughout the book, making it an indispensable resource for current and aspiring business leaders.
Canady provides an array of tips, industry insights, and advice beneficial for both novices and seasoned professionals. His approachable writing style, engaging anecdotes, and thorough explanations of unfamiliar concepts and phrases make the book accessible and enjoyable. Canady’s authenticity and reliance on facts, research, and established statistics set his work apart. The inclusion of tables and figures interspersed within the text enhances understanding of complex topics such as customer engagement, growth, investment, and business framework development. The author’s concise and direct writing ensures that key points are conveyed effectively and efficiently.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days by Bill Canady stands out as a valuable resource for anyone aiming to gain control and excel in a business leadership role within a short timeframe. It’s not just a book about leadership—it’s a comprehensive guide for transforming theoretical knowledge into practical, actionable strategies for business success.
Page: 264 | ASIN : B0CRGM9674
Learn How to Learn
In Make Your Brand Legendary, you share your expertise in creating and taking businesses from functional to brands recognized across the globe for their customer service. Why was this an important book for you to write?
For the last decade, I’ve been helping companies go to the next level with the insights in this book. From the start, demand outpaced my capacity. I hired consultants and trained them. Each year we help more companies than the previous year. But there is still a limit on how many companies we can reach in person. So, I wrote this book to get the tools in the hands of more people than I can do on my own.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were beginning your business career?
Learn how to learn. This is the skill that drives all the other skills. Find ways to get a steady stream of great ideas flowing to you. Connect with a partner or coach on a regular basis to help you apply those ideas. Run lots of experiments. And measure, measure, measure. Don’t just get inspired, get in motion. Learn how to learn.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about creating successful brands?
The temptation most people have to watch out for (including me) is getting “good enough” at the basics and then trying to create raving fans with a special feature and/or an epic experience. But none of the fancy stuff matters if you don’t first show up with Operational Excellence. See, the first question your customers are asking is, “Can I trust you?” If they don’t trust you to deliver consistent excellence in the fundamentals, it doesn’t matter how smart or creative or unique you are.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on unpacking fully the five systems of the Customer Experience Engine included in this book, this time a book for each system. The first in the series is planned to be Customer Insight and is currently slated to release in 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Apple. Harley-Davidson. Chick-fil-A. Disney. When you see or hear these names, something in us lights up. Sure, we know their product and service offerings, but a huge number of consumers have a much deeper, more profound, and even emotional connection to these businesses. These aren’t just brands; they’re legendary brands. And they don’t just have satisfied customers; they create raving fans—true believers who will buy every product, who serve as brand evangelists, who even tattoo corporate logos on their bodies, and who will fight to defend the honor and reputation of these multibillion-dollar corporations.
Why? What turns otherwise reserved people into raving fans of a computer company or chicken sandwich chain? It’s not magic. It’s not a lucky product. And it’s not something reserved for consumer brands with luxury products. For twenty years, Scott and his team have been working with leaders in a wide variety of industries, from manufacturing to professional service to enterprise software. No matter the industry, some companies have gone beyond delivering a good product to delivering a great customer experience.
In Make Your Brand Legendary, Scott Wozniak leverages his decades of brand-building experience within some of America’s most-loved companies to show you how to create world-class customer experience. After years of battle-tested work, Scott realized that there was a set of systems that all the great brands used to create raving fans. He captured these practices in an engine diagram, a simple tool to help leaders become legends. If you use this approach, you can build a Customer Experience Engine that will create those same kinds of raving fans that always seem to dominate dinner-party conversations and water-cooler chats. Only this time, they’ll be talking about your business.
One Size Does Not Fit All
In Rise of the Warrior Leader, you provide a complete breakdown of the challenges faced on the journey to becoming an effective leader in today’s world. Why was this an important book for you to write?
During my time in the unforgiving environment of the military and international banking, I devoted significant effort to unraveling the intricacies of effective leadership. Transitioning from the military to the banking sector amid the sub-prime crisis, an era marked by relentless waves of job losses, presented a daunting scenario. It was, undoubtedly, an inopportune time to embark on this career shift.
Amidst this tumultuous period, my exploration of leadership literature revealed two notable observations. First and foremost, a multitude of self-proclaimed leadership experts ardently championed their own leadership models, often motivated by financial gains or fixated on singular lessons drawn from crises such as the infamous Enron scandal. This compartmentalized approach operated in isolation from other models, creating a fragmented landscape. However, I recognized that each model offered a valuable fragment of the overall leadership puzzle.
Secondly, I observed the diverse interpretations provided by commentators regarding the era we live in—whether it be labeled as the Information Age, Industry 4.0, Digital Age, and so forth. In response, I chose to shift my focus towards embracing the challenges intrinsic to each of these definitions. I sought to discern patterns across various leadership models, thereby crafting an integrated approach geared towards enhancing leaders’ effectiveness.
In essence, the new challenges that confront us demand a new approach. I am committed to synthesizing the collective wisdom embedded in diverse leadership models to construct a comprehensive framework. This holistic perspective is intended to empower leaders to navigate the complexities of our ever-evolving landscape with newfound efficacy.
Can you tell us a little about the research process required to write Rise of the Warrior Leader?
Originally conceived as my doctoral thesis, this book emerged after a four-year journey of intermittently refining my PhD proposal. The process involved numerous revisions dictated by a university professor whose demands seemed ceaseless. However, amidst the stringent adjustments during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, a revelation struck me. I realized that the essence of my work deserved to be presented as intended, free from the constraints imposed by the academic conformity sought by the professor.
The underlying premise was clear: the conventional approach needed a paradigm shift, and the insights gleaned from my research should be accessible to benefit others. Distinctive in its departure from the confines of academic literature, this book is the embodiment of that conviction. It draws on exhaustive examinations of academic papers and prominent leadership books.
The content within attains a high academic standard, yet I have endeavored to supplement it with easily comprehensible diagrams, catering to a non-academic audience. This dual approach aims not only for scholarly excellence but also ensures that the material is inviting and readily applicable to a broader readership, ultimately contributing to the betterment of humanity.
What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your book?
I aim to equip leaders with a comprehensive conceptual framework for navigating various situations. This book serves as an empowering tool, steering away from offering rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions. Recognizing our unique individualities and nuanced responses based on distinct personality traits, the book instead furnishes a guiding framework. This framework facilitates a thoughtful consideration of diverse variables and contexts, fostering an approach that enhances effectiveness in leadership.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My forthcoming book will explore the subject of Mental Toughness from a distinctly African perspective. The genesis of this project dates back over six years. However, I temporarily redirected my focus two years ago, taking a sabbatical to diligently finalize my previous work, Rise of the Warrior Leader.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
This book is for you if you:
·Want to be an effective leader.
·Are willing to transform into the change you wish to see.
·Are committed to improving the lives of those you lead.
If this sounds like you and you are willing to do what it takes, you are invited to take an inner journey of self-reflection. Self-reflection is critical for leadership development. In the process, improve your personal and professional life and discover practical tools to:
Increase mental resilience – These unpredictable times place more demands on people mentally, emotionally, spiritually and possibly even physically. This is the ‘new norm’ for which mental resilience is essential.
Build a sense of trust and safety – Unlike mainstream leadership literature which tends to focus mainly on the vision of the leader, this book also focuses on the leader’s ability to build trust and provide a sense of ‘safety’ by ‘holding the space’ in these times of VUCA.
Inspire Ownership-driven Leadership – The Selfless Leader sees the Collective as fellow stakeholders. In times of crisis, ‘self-preservation’ for the Selfless Leader is ‘collective preservation’, seeing the people as an extension of oneself. This book enables a sense of Ownership for you to:
Own who you are. Own the mission. Own the result.
Own who you are. Own the mission. Own the result.
LITERARY TITAN 