Reviews (15)

A Great Book
Pat Riley has Proven how to Win on the FLoor and here he shares Team Work to the fullest.it's a very Solid Book that Allows all to shine in work together.very well put together.

Pat Riley has written an excellent business management book
When I am asked by business counterparts to describe my favorite business philosophy, I give them a copy of Mr. Riley's book. When applied to Sports, it obviously works. When applied to business, it profoundly works. We live in a day and age when the word "I" is used to exhaustion. This book allows one to feel honor in teamwork -- in promoting and supporting the efforts of the entire business group, and shows us how personally rewarding the dynamics of being on a great business team can be. Excellent!

A Very Wise Man
You go Pat!!!! Testify!!! This man speaks the truth, ya dig? True like buttah in yo popcorn and just as salty. Diggety bing!

Success and leadership
This book is a book about teamwork and reaching your full potential as a person. Pat Riley discusses what it takes to make dreams come true. This book is great for anyone who wants to be successful with their life dreams.

An MBA For The Rest Of Us :-)
When you see Coach Riley on the sidelines, the perception is one of a model straight from the pages of GQ. His suits are always custom-tailored, and his hair is slicked back. But when you read his words, you will discover another dimension that perhaps is not congruent with his tough-guy media image.

Mr. Riley demonstrates a high degree of common sense both on and off the basketball court. You will feel the toughness of his spirit, but also the kindness in his approach. This book is a great resource, since it demonstrates how to lead and how to follow to ensure maximum success.

His lessons from the hardwoods can be applied to any business or team-oriented situation. He describes in great detail his approaches with both the Lakers and NY Knicks. He discusses in very frank terms his own failures as a coach, but more importantly, presents the reader with examples how to reach our own peak performance levels.

His motivational techniques were very informative. He takes us inside of intimate situations that forged his winning ways. From tense playoff day game meetings, to providing custom towels for his players, Coach Riley spares no detail to win. The reader will realize that Mr. Riley learned from the best, and was able to succeed at the highest levels of his sport. He shows us that being a team player starts at the top, and that leaders need to set the proper example.

He also includes several non-basketball related events that provide added motivational value. The story about Jan Scruggs, the force behind the Viet Nam War Memorial, is compelling. This book is not about basketball; it is about finding the winner within each of us as we navigate challenging life events.

Out of his many enlightening quotes, two stand out: "You can respect your opponent too much." "Don't compare your performance versus other teammates; compare it against others in similar roles on other teams."

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Have You Found the Where of Your Happiness?

One of the intriguing things about the United States is the idea of the second chance, that when you feel stuck there is always a frontier you can cross to reinvent yourself. In Life 2.0, Rich Karlgaard used his own personal and professional midlife crises to look at the state of the American dreamthe belief in continuous personal upward mobilityand where it stands in the twenty-first century.

At the ripe old age of forty-five, Karlgaard fell in love with flying and mastered the art of lifting up and bringing down a "2,500-pound aluminum box kite" -- a four-seat single-engine airplane. As the publisher of Forbes he felt that he was doing too much armchair theorizing and didn't really understand how Americans were responding to the changes that had started taking place so swiftly over the past few years.

So he put together his new flying skills and reportorial mission and flew around America to places like Green Bay, Wisconsin; Bozeman, Montana; Fargo, North Dakota; Des Moines, Iowa; and Lake Placid, New York, to gain some insight into how ordinary Americans are untangling the knotty problems of constant stress, crushing expense, and bewildering hassle that often characterize life in the nation's urban centers.

He discovered their simple solution: they moved. What Karlgaard found on the road are fascinating and inspiring stories about people -- those with a nose for entrepreneurship, a faith in technology, and the willingness to take a chance -- who are finding the new American dream in places as far from New York City and Silicon Valley as you can imagine. Some of those people include:

* A burned-out insurance exec who fled his overworked East Coast life and settled in tranquil (yet dynamic) Des Moines

* A tool broker who traded his brick-and-mortar business in sunny California for a life in the Pennsylvania hills, where he relaunched his business on the Internet

* A road-warrior democracy specialist who conducts her worldly affairs from the low-key outpost of Bismarck, North Dakota

* A self-made millionaire who paid for his financial success with his first marriage and who did things differently the second time around by moving to smaller cities and focusing on family as well as work

Adroitly combining analysis of the economic and social trends challenging middle-class people with perceptive advice on how to escape the rat race of the coasts, Karlgaard explores the eye-opening possibilities of that huge tract of land often carelessly dubbed "flyover country." Filled with stories of personal reinvention and triumph, Life 2.0 is the story of those who are living larger lives in smaller places. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

An answered prayer
Patrick Lencioni has once again presented a concise, compelling, simple, and wise look at the role of a leader in an organization. 5 temptations of a CEO, a title I felt should have been 5 temptations of any manager, was a much needed look at the insecurities that hit once we are in charge. The trouble I had with that book, and the author deserves no blame for this, is that the individuals who truly needed it would probably not recognize their areas for improvement.

Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive answers that need. I am sure that all executives, all of us, feel extraordinary. We will pick this book up expecting a pat on the back for a job well done. Instead, this book challenges the role of the leader and presents 4 disciplines that should be at the Heart of any World Class organization. In fable format, which is far less threatening, and much more enjoyable to read, Lencioni shares the 4 simple disciplines of healthy organizations- 4.Reinforcing Clarity through Human Systems- 3.Overcommunicate Organizational Clarity- 2. Create Organizational Clarity- 1.Build and Maintain a Cohesive Leadership Team

It is impossible to read this book and not learn from the past experiences that one has as a leader. It also reminds the reader that it is at the very top that an organization derives it's health. Without leadership committed to health, the organization will never find it.

For all the leaders out there, buy this book, open your mind and read it. You may have to face some tough truths, but the individuals who work for you, will thank you for it.

Overlooked wisdom: Simple but powerful
The first three-quarters of this book consists of a fictional account of a technology consulting company run by CEO Rich O'Connor. O'Connor runs his company according to four disciplines which together powerfully maintain the health of the organization's culture. The four disciplines are: Build and Maintain a Cohesive Leadership Team; Create Organizational Clarity; Over-Communicate Organizational Clarity; and Reinforce Organizational Clarity Through Human Systems. While none of this will appear astoundingly new, the message is important and often not implemented. The fictional portrayal is followed by a more detailed analysis of the four disciplines. Most readers will find this a quick and enjoyable read that should ignite productive thinking about healthy organizations. Without a sound corporate culture even the smartest strategies and business models will not work optimally. Definitely worth reading.

A Good Read!
This is a good book for people who like parables. The fable centers around an unfocused man swamped by rivalry, envy, manipulation and betrayal. He never sees that his most threatening rival, though not as flashy as he is, has the stick-to-it commitment of a carnival pony that would continue walking the same tight circle even if someone took off its harness. To succeed, you need that kind of persistence plus a few straightforward disciplines including internal unity, clear purpose, open communication and personnel policies that reflect your values. In short, if you pick key disciplines and stick to them, you'll go far. You've heard this sweet if shallow lesson before, in the fable of the tortoise and the hare. That fable endured for centuries because it puts a simple truth in a few words using a vivid analogy. That is the kind of veracity this book is aiming for and though it may achieve a shorter reach, its wrap-up analysis and work sheets extend its practicality. We recommend its bolstering message - if not its simplistic structure - to managers who like metaphors.

Neglected, Vital Focuses of Executives
Lencioni communicates through storytelling. Here, he unravels his four focuses of extraordinary executives by comparing two competitive CEO in consulting.

By reducing the difference in the two enterprises to the two differing, contrasting focus styles, the author makes a strong case for spending more time on the "organizational health."

This is where most will blow this vital area off. There ego and temperament is drawn to other areas, technology, strategy, etc.

These four of a healthy organization: cohesive leadership team, organizational clarity, communicate this clarity and reinforce such clarity through human systems.

Much to chew on, digest and see if it's worth trying.

Amazing...
Patrick does it again. I've used these books for MBA classes, CFO roundtables and management retreats. Highly recommend to anyone considering managing a venture-backed business. ... Read more

Book Description

"I hate Mondays."
"They say I'm responsible, but my boss makes all the decisions."
"We're supposed to work as a team, but everybody's out for themselves."
Sound familiar? You don't have to take it anymore!
In HeroZ, you'll actually have fun learning how to survive and even thrive in today's work world. Step-by-step techniques--proven by thousands of companies around the globe--show you how to make meaningful decisions, measure your progress, and work efficiently in teams. By the time you finish reading HeroZ, you'll feel that you control your job, not that your job controls you.
Millions of leaders have been energized by its bestselling predecessor, Zapp!: The Lightning of Empowerment. The Wall Street Journal declared that "Zapp! helped redefine the genre" of business books. Fortune magazine's reviewer raved, "I couldn't put it down."
Now, with HeroZ, you can restore meaning and purpose to your work life and make a real difference--no matter where you fall on the organizational chart! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Another Good Book From Byham and Cox
For those of you that read Zapp! this book continues on the same idea. It's in parable form, which makes it easy to read and the points made are on target.

Excellent techniques and fun to read
Helped me tremendously when I became a manager. How to tell people what needs to be done and let them figure out how to do it. Learn while following a story. You don't even realize you're learning all the techniques because the story is so fun to read.

The Managers Spell Book
Facing the constant threat of Dragons attacking the village, and encountering a mysterious gloomy fog each and every workday, was the reality for the people of Lamron. In order to preserve the village, and bring some meaning to the everyday work experience, change had to happen.

Heroz is a tale of a fictional village, of fictional characters facing problems common to the daily grind of work. Throughout the book, the people working in the arrow factory strive to determine and achieve the goal of the business, to make money and provide the knights charged with slaying the dragons, the quality arrows they need. Throughout the book, the factory workers and management personnel learn to work together, to enhance teamwork and motivation, and experience the enhanced ZAPP! gained by working together.

Heroz is a breeze to read, easy to identify with, especially if you experience the fog that rolls in the workplace at the beginning of the day, and lifts completely only after the last person has gone home. It's entertaining and humorous. You'll learn spells to use in all different situations, and upon completion of the book, will have them all compiled in the "Zapp! Wizard's Spell Book", conveniently tucked in at the conclusion of the novel.

best book ever on empowerment
This book is a must for every small business owner. It takes the blinders off and lets you see the big picture of your compnay. I am ordering this book for my entire management staff. I can't wait to see the results after they read this wonderful, eye-opening book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In their 1998 book The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and co-author Howard C. Cutler, M.D., explored how inner development contributes to overall happiness. In their second collaboration, the authors considered how they could best follow their highly successful first book. They chose a subject that affects millions of people around the world and produced. In this very readable, useful book, the authors attempt to discover the following: "Where does work fit in to our overall quest for happiness?" and "To what degree does work satisfaction affect our overall life satisfaction and happiness?"

Reviews (16)

The Dalai Lama and the Workplace
In 1998, H.H. the Dalai Lama joined Dr. Howard C. Cutler, an American psychiatrist, in writing a book "The Art of Happiness" which became a best-seller. This book taught the importance of "looking within" and of controlling destructive emotions in living a good life and finding happiness.

Dr. Cutler and the Dalai Lama have again collaborated in this follow-up book which applies the insights of the initial volume to life situations which are, typically, the sources of great conflict. Several additional books, in addition to this book exploring the world of work, are underway. The book is based upon a series of conversations held between the Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler over the course of several years. Dr. Cutler is responsible for the format and editing of the book. The final product was read and approved by the Dalai Lama's interpreter.

Early in the volume, the Dalai Lama reminds Dr. Cutler that the focus of the inquiry is "secular ethics" (p.7) One of the most valuable features of the book is that it shows how the Dalai Lama can use his spiritual tradition to articulate values that can be shared by many people, whether or not they are religious believers. Another feature of the book is the significance of the subject matter. Many people trust and listen to the Dalai Lama where they will be reluctant to accept possibly similar advice from experts, such as psychiatrists, or from teachers in Western religous traditions. The book is deceptively simple in tone and teaching, but hard to realize.

In a series of discussions Dr. Cutler explores with the Dalai Lama the reasons why many people tend to be bored or dissatisfied with their jobs. Dr. Cutler brings to bear many anecdotes from his work as a psychiatrist as well has his familiarity with much contemporary literature on job satisfaction. The Dalai Lama brings to bear his wisdom and insight. Time and again during the conversations, the Dalai Lama takes issue with Dr. Cutler, forcing him to redirect and rephrase his questions and assumptions, and to change the tenor of his approach to questions of happiness in the workplace. The Dalai Lama's approach is marked by its circumspectness. He reiterates that the situation of every individual differs and that questions about work admit of no easy solution. In other words,it is not a case of "one size fits all."

With that said the issues and insights are valuable. Chief among these for me are the Dalai Lama's comments on self-understanding. Much difficulty at work is caused by having an overly inflated or an overly deflated view of ourselves and our abilities. This causes discontent because it gives a picture of our abilities and our expectations of ourselves that are out of touch with reality.

Similarly, the Dalai's teachings in this book about patience, humility, self-control, and compassion for one's co-workers provide a great deal to think about in approaching the workplace. The Dalai Lama, in common with others who have thought about these matters, distinguishes between views of work as a "job", simply to support oneself, a "career", with the goal of advancement and growth, and a "calling" in which a person does what he or she finds important to be of service to others. People necessarily occupy different spaces on this continuum. For some people, the goal properly should be to learn the value of one's work and to move towards viewing it as a calling.

The book also teaches that work and money-making are not the sole source of happiness and urges the reader to develop other interests, particularly a sense of connectedness to others through family or through interests and activities outside the workplace.

Many of the criticisms of this book and its predecessor that I have seen turn on the respective roles of the Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler. Dr. Cutler serves, I think, as a foil to the Dalai Lama. In the book, the voices of the two principal are distinct, allowing the reader to capture a good deal of the spirit of the Dalai Lama.

There is also a tendency to criticize the book for its simplicity. I agree the teachings of the book are simple, but in practice they are difficult of realization. A virtue of the book is its very accessiblity which makes it possible for the reader to try to use it for benefit in his or her own case.

Finally, it should be pointed out again that this book does not purport to be an introduction to Buddhism. It is a work of secular (or applied) ethics. There are ample books available, including many works of the Dalai Lama, for those who would like a specifically Buddhist study. One can learn from this book regardless of commitment or lack of commitment to any religion.

I thought this book helped me with questions that have bothered me for years. I also found that the book would probably be useful to many of my coworkers and, perhaps, useful as well, to management where I work.

This book will not solve any person's workplace issues, but it will encourage the reader to reconsider and to sharpen his or her focus to address these issues.

Dr. Cutler is a genius!
This is a simple but downright astonishing book! Read it and your life is guaranteed to change for the better. The Dalai Lama's teachings are not easy for laymen to understand, but Dr. Cutler is a genius in bringing the ideas like a laser straight to guide our lives. Like the Art of Happiness, this book will be read around the world: it is so applicable to our everyday lives that it is a joy to read. If you buy only one book this year: buy this one! And give it to your co-workers, too. What a gift!!

Attitude, interdependence and serving others
I give this book 3 stars primarily because it could have been "tighter" as a result of more rigorous editing. However, there are good ideas here and they can be engaged immediately.

As the title states, this book is about happiness at work. What are its attributes, what conditions are most important to assure happiness most of the time, how it impacts performance and the other dimensions of life. All, important topics. The book is written in the form of a long conversation between Howard Cutler and The Dalai Lama.

There are a whole host of interesting ideas. For example, the Dalai Lama comenting "By engaging opposition, a deeper understanding of one's own standpoint emerges." Putting a premium on debate to sharpen one's mind and to foster growth and improvement.

But the most powerful elements of this book are the realization that it's wisdom is quite simple in the end. It's simplicity, however, is complex and difficult to execute each and every day. We need a balanced life. A life that recognizes the interdependence between all aspects of our lives (work, family, hobby, meditation time etc.) We must "reduce the gap between who we are and what we do". The things on which we spend time must have meaning and ideally have some connection with creating a "greater good" and service to others.

Most of all, however, a common theme emerges that suggests that the most important aspect of happiness at work (and for that matter in anything) is one's own "attitude" and outlook. How an individual sees the world is the critical aspect in shaping attitude and therefore "happiness". The elements of a positive attitude seem to include a realistic grasp of one's self (self understanding), a desire to serve others, to creatively achieve and contribute, to have confidence in one's own judgment, "right livelihood" ("best to choose work that does not cause harm to others, that does not exploit or deceive others....").

The key is to recognize the fusion between one's self and one's work. They are not separate ideas but one. Moreover, as it relates to happiness, "the primary determinant of one's happiness is the state of one's mind." Attitute, attitude, attitude.

A meaningful contribution even though it could have been shorter and tighter.

Sadly 95% filler.
Howard Cutler's first book with the Dalai Lama, "The Art Of Happiness," was packed with wonderful and accessible teachings from the Dalai Lama. We owe Mr. Cutler much thanks for the work he put into his efforts on his first book when it was not sure thing anyone would either publish or read his collection of interviews with the Dalai Lama.

This new book falls short however. The Dalai Lama doesn't have much of interest to say about the subject in general. Mr. Cutler, in what seems like an ego play, inserts himself into the book at every available opportunity, unlike his first book where he was much more a reporter. The conversations are endlessly boring and sophomoric.

What we do gain is an appreciation of how brilliant a thinker the Dalai Lama is even when he is being hassled by nit picking questions from someone who seems to think there is a sure thing going on. I do hope Mr. Culter gets back on track, becomes a reporter instead of subject, and focuses on topics that are more compatible with the Dalai Lama's keen intelligence.

Or perhaps the interviews have played themselves out and it is time to stop and appreciate the contributions made in the first book.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME...
THE ART OF HAPPINESS AT WORK by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler falls considerably short of THE ART OF HAPPINESS, the original work by the same authors. In the original book The Dalai Lama provides very interesting views that can be applied to a variety scenarios in life, including the workplace.

Hence, ...HAPPINESS AT WORK is very repetitive of the original and runs the risk of placing someone as illustrious as The Dalai Lama in the position of appearing too much like other marketing-driven authors of the genre who pump out repeats of their original works under other titles like ...FOR THE WORKING SOUL, ...FOR THE GOLFING SOUL, OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES, ...OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TEENAGERS, etc.

After all, if you read the first book by The Dalai Lama you can easily see how his philosophies concerning happiness apply to all walks of life. Stick with THE ART OF HAPPINESS and discover for yourself how it may apply to a variety of your questions regarding your personal happiness...including in the workplace.

Douglas McAllister ... Read more

Book Description

The Nature of Success is an inspirational gift book combining award winning photography with Mac Anderson's wisdom and insight on the keys to personal success. Beautiful nature scenes accompanied with an inspirational quote will introduce each "success chapter" followed by two to three pages of insights, unforgettable real life stories, and Mac's favorite quotes on each topic. Anderson's insights take on new life as he brings a solid Christian perspective to The Nature of Success.

Reviews (1)

Best Book Of the Month
A friend who didn't have time to read this work of art asked me if I would care to.

From the first page to the last, I was help spellbound by the simple inspirational messages of the author.

By taking everyday scenarios and blending them with age old truths Mac Anderson has created another success to his credit.

Everyone who is looking for an inspirational, easy reading, motivational book should read "The Nature of Success", I know I will keep it handy and refer back to it often.

If you only read one book this month, or only have one hour all year, this is a "Must Read" ... Read more

Book Description

Good Luck is a whimsical fable that teaches a valuable lesson: good luck doesn’t just come your way—it’s up to you to create the conditions to bring yourself good luck. Written by Alex Rovira and Fernando Trias de Bes—two leading marketing consultants—this simple tale is universally applicable and uniquely inspirational. Good Luck tells the touching story of two old men, Max and Jim, who meet by chance in Central Park fifty years after they last saw each other as children. Max achieved great success in life; Jim sadly did not. The secret to Max’s success lies in a story his grandfather told him long ago. This story within a story has a tone reminiscent of the classic The Alchemist and shows how to seize opportunity and achieve success in life. In a surprise ending, Good Luck comes full circle, offering the reader inspiration, instruction, and an engaging tale. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Other Buddhist books offer you a path to happiness, Geshe Michael Roach offers a path to wealth. Roach, who while being a monk helped build a $100 million business, demonstrates how ancient notions in The Diamond Cutter sutra can help you succeed, and if you're in business that means to make money, a lot of it. Drawing on lessons he learned in the diamond business and years in Buddhist monasteries, Roach shows how taking care of others is the ultimate path to taking care of oneself, even--especially--in business. As he puts it, you have to engage in "mental gardening," which means doing certain practical things that will form new habits that will create an ideal reality for you. If this sounds a little outrageous, his very precise instructions are down to earth and address numerous specific issues common to the business/management world. Through this practice, you will become a considerate, generous, introspective, creative person of immense integrity, and that will be the key to your wealth. At first this book comes off like a gimmick and the writing isn't without rough patches, but page by page, as Roach introduces you to the practical details and real-life examples, his arguments become more convincing. A cross between the Dalai Lama's ethics and Stephen Covey's Seven Habits, The Diamond Cutter will have you gardening a path to the bank. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A Splendid Read for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists.
I had never heard of Michael Roach until I searched out Shoutcast (Internet Radio) and found the Tibetan Buddhist station. Being of that tradition, I was delighted to find the station.

The program that was on at that time was Dharma talks by Michael on The Heart Sutra, a most important Buddhist teaching.

I was so taken with his messages and the way he could get these deep ideas across so easily that I wanted to learn more about him. That's when I discovered that he had a new book out, The Diamond Cutter. So I bought a copy at Amazon.

Michael spent many years in the New York Diamond industry. He explains that he was attracted to diamonds because they are the hardest form in the universe.

This book is about business. It is about the problems that we all encounter in business daily. And it tells us how to handle the problem and why every problem has a cause, perhaps not in this lifetime but in some lifetime.

Michael clearly explains why some people who are greedy and unkind are successful. No, it's nothing they've done in this life but rather they did something of merit in another life that brought the wealth in this lifetime. But in another lifetime they will reap the Karma they're now sowing.

He tells us that if we wish to be wealthy, we need to be generous with our money and our time.

Michael uses his vast knowledge of the diamond industry to teach business ethics from a Buddhist perspective based on the all-important teaching of Lord Buddha in His Diamond Cutter (Vajrachchedika sutra).

I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who cares about their business, their relationships, their finances and their life in general.

The Real Thing
I first have to say that I did not buy this so much for the business angle--I'm more just on the lookout for any new Buddhist material I can find. This is probably the freshest book in the realm of "American Buddhism" that I've read in the last year. I hadn't heard of Roach before, but I now feel that he truly is one of the most important Buddhist teachers in the U.S. today. (If you haven't already seen it you should look at the interview Amazon did with him.) The writing in Diamond Cutter isn't always so great, but Roach has a superior talent for explaining elements of Tibetan Buddhism in a way that is light years ahead of many other books out there in terms of accessibility. Perhaps that's because he is American born, so he really knows how to communicate with his contemporaries, but even beyond that he appears to have a great mind. This isn't great as a Buddhist primer, but if you are at all familiar with Buddhism you'll probably get some real insights out of this one.

A book that changed my business
I run a small business for more than 10 years now and have my share of ups and downs, from facing near bankruptcy to hitting big contracts. But whatever the outcome, I am always short of money and I am constantly struggling to make ends meet. That is, until I read this book. It has changed my business. I now find money flowing in without me chasing after it and I work less than before. To all of you out there who are struggling in business or in your personal life, buy this book and follow the principles. They work and they will make you a better person.

Buddhism for open-minded sceptics
For all the "suits" out there: You've tried every business fad from empowerment to micromanagement; why not try something with a real track record?

As a busy manager, the book suited me perfectly. Geshe Roach gives you the no mumbo jumbo, how to test Buddhism in the work place guide. Most people who have studied Buddhism as deeply as Roach can't explain it well and especially to a business person. No such problems here. The book demonstrates his knowledge of real-life business situations enough to make him convincing for sceptical business people and explains only the salient points of Buddhist practice.

Blood Diamonds
Sort of Buddha for dummies who want money type of book. When one reads about the West African bloobaths commited over these stupid little stones it might be a better use of Roachs' skills to start a boycott of diamonds ... Read more

Book Description

Just Promoted! arms the new manager with hundreds of practical and proven approaches to the challenges of the first critical year on the job.

Reviews (2)

The highest compliment: buying a second copy. . .
after I've given my first to a friend who liked it so much that s/he kept it. This is a well-structured, clear, concise guide on how to hit the ground running in a leadership position. The authors' approach favors "this is what works--do it" over touchy-feely, less generally useful philosophizing. Whether you are a seasoned leader or a first-time supervisor, don't embark on a new position without this!

Points You In A Clear and Positive Direction
An enjoyable read with excellent sugestions, ideas, and examples. Especially valuable if you have never been a manager. There are so many great suggestions made without a lot of management theory to weed through. Made me feel confident in my abilities when my new position made me feel in over my head. ... Read more

Book Description

Deepak Chopra’s best-selling guide to creating abundance and prosperity is now on CD and read by the author. Based on seven natural laws that govern all creation, this book shatters the myth that success results only from hard work, exacting plans, and driving ambition. Deepak Chopra offers a life-altering perspective on attaining success: Once we understand our true nature and learn to live in harmony with these natural laws, well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life, and material abundance can be achieved. Simple yet profound, the book’s timeless wisdom and practical steps can be applied with surprisingly quick results. "A must-read for anyone who missed The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran." — The New York Times ... Read more

Reviews (126)

"The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success"---- " revisited"
Knowing how to be spiritual is going to be our quest, for our future understanding depends on it. It's going back to our roots so to speak...from where we came...remember? If "Healing Society" by Dr Seung Heun Lee requests a spiritual awakening to accomplish our goal of "playing well together" to accomplish our higher purpose of peace on earth... who better than a wise and compassionate teacher, we know as Deepak Chopra, to tell and show us how to be this? Deepak generously leads us to a beautiful place where all we have to do is "be." Spirit is what we are... and love is who we are... and where we come from and then return to. What more can we desire? Maybe to revisit that perfect state from which we came,perhaps? Maybe everything is possible and simple. Maybe we should return to our innocence. In innocence we are fearless in our thoughts and actions...totally in tune with our inner self. Let's be beautiful together...in spirit shared from our hearts where God lives. Read or reread "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of your Dreams and Deepak will give you the gift of your inner you...your "self"...dare to be beautiful!

Practical and very fulfilling. A must read!
I have been going through a major turning point in my life and this book has allowed me to deal with my life's challenge in a very self fulfilling way. This is a must read for anyone wishing to find true inner peace and happiness. I wish I found this book 20 years ago! Read it every day and make it a fundamental part of your life. Self fulfillment will come when you practice the "Seven Spiritual Laws of Succcess". This book truly illuminates the heart, soul and mind

"This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds."
It is always nice to find someone out there that thinks the same way you do, however express it much better.

In "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success", by Deepak Chopra, he describes the fundamental principles of the universe and how we as part of the universe can be successful. Throughout the book he has to slow sown and explain how he is using many of the words as we usually give them different meaning. Then there are a few times that he has to turn to Indian words instead of making up new ones. Many say he is based in Ancient Vedic concepts yet if you did not know of them you would relies these are concepts of the now.

He hits the deck running with this book so if you have not been exposed to these concepts before you may need to re-read the book several times. And this book was not meant to jus be read you need to practice the concepts to understand them. This book is based on "Creating Affluence" and does not have the size to contain a lot of background reasoning for drawing conclusions. Your practice off the laws will do that for you.

The concepts are too simple to give the titles any meaning however here they are.
1. The Law of Pure
The source of all creation is pure consciousness...
2. The Law of Giving
The universe operates through dynamic exchange...
3. The Law of "Karma" or Cause and Effect
Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind...
4. The Law of Least Effort
Nature's intelligence functions with effortless ease...

5. The Law of Intention and Desire
Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment...
6. The law of Detachment
In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty...
7. The law of "Dharma" or Purpose in life
Everyone has a purpose in life...

On a personal note it is so eerie that many of the things he talks about especially in the seventh law was the way me ad my siblings were raised. However I was 20 years old before cutting throw my first Veda

Be sure to also listen to the audio to here how he emphasizes.

Applying these laws has helped many...
...myself included.

I first read this book about 4 or 5 years ago when I began my journey towards discovering my Higher Self. This book is a great read no matter what religion (if any) you belong to. Honestly, the fundamental laws that lead to success in the game of life along all lines--health, wealth, peace of mind, love/relationships and true expression--are very simple but few of us are lucky to happen upon them. Then, for those who do, applying these laws consistently is something that even fewer of us do.

My favorite nugget of wisdom from this book is the follow:
"That which doesn't multiply through giving is neither worth giving nor receiving." (pg. 30)

I try to keep this insightful idea in mind when I consider not only finanacial and material concerns but my relationships and interactions with people as well.

I have read 3 of the author's books and this one is thus far my favorite.

Spiritual Laws Made simple
Chopra has manage once again to bring a lot of Eastern Philosophy to the west with a certain simplicity.He makes it easier to follow these principles in our everyday lives.Spirituality is everyday living and This book allows us to practice that!
Thank you Chopra for these insights ... Read more

Book Description

During the last decade, we have witnessed an unparalleled explosion of interest in the practice of "servant-leadership," as today's business leaders search for a new leadership model for the 21st century.Based on the seminal work of Robert K. Greenleaf, a former AT& T executive who coined the term almost thirty years ago, servant-leadership emphasizes an emerging approach to leadership--one which puts serving others, including employees, customers, and community, first.In fact, Greenleaf's work, including his best-selling Servant-Leadership, has become increasingly popular since his death in 1990 and continues to inspire a growing movement of people and organizations concerned with issues of leadership, management, service, and spirit.

The Power of Servant-Leadership is a collection of nine of Greenleaf's most compelling essays on servant-leadership.These essays, published together in one volume for the first time, contain many of Greenleaf's best insights into the nature and practice of servant-leadership and show his continual refinement of the servant-as-leader concept.In addition, several of the essays focus on the related issues of spirit, commitment to vision, and wholeness.

The Power of Servant-Leadership also features a foreword by Peter Vaill, author of Learning as a Way of Being, and Managing as a Performing Art; and an Afterword by Jim Shannon, editor of The Corporate Contributions Handbook and retired president of the General Mills Foundation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Highly Recommended!
The late Robert K. Greenleaf was widely revered for his profound impact on leadership theory during the last three decades of the 20th century. Eight of his most compelling essays on servant-leadership (a term he coined) are published here in book form for the first time. These essays testify to Greenleaf's legacy and to his important role in the philosophies of leadership and service. Issues of spirit, vision and wholeness are woven through many of these essays, which address individual and institutional leadership in all areas, including government, business, religion, education and philanthropy. We at getAbstract highly recommend this eloquent book to those contemplating or holding leadership positions.

Food for thought for the 21st century leader.
As a Doctoral student writing on servant leadership, I found the newest book put out by The Greenleaf Center to be as interesting and thought-provoking as those published previously. If organizations are to be successful as we enter the 21st century, perhaps this book should become required reading at leadership seminars.

Greenleaf has a style all his own, but the material flows well and is readily understandable by the reader.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who leads in organizations. ... Read more

Book Description

Recipient of the 1994 Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award "This effort to explore the applications of transformational leadership in diverse organizational processes is commendable.The work will provide several new issues in the study of transformational leadership.Another noteworthy feature of the book is its attempt to integrate theory and practice.... This book will be useful for academic researchers, teachers, trainers and senior level managers.It will also be a useful new addition for every library." --Management and Labour Studies "Undoubtedly the editors and authors have conducted some worthwhile research which can encourage the growth of effective organizations." --The Journal of Academic Librarianship "If you're looking for a compact volume by eight of the leading advocates of transformational leadership, Bernard M. Bass and Bruce J. Avolio have just what you want at a reasonable paperback price. . . . Contains ten tightly written chapters. . . . The scope is wide ranging. The practicing manager will find a lot of interesting and useful material in this book. . . . Provides valuable insights for an organization that is thinking of instituting a transformational leadership program." --The Journal of Leadership Studies "Tells how transformational leadership goes beyond transactional leadership by providing a role model, meaning, and challenge; generating awareness of vision and mission; developing others to higher levels of ability and potential; and motivating colleagues and followers to look beyond personal to group interests. . . . Contains executive summaries and notes. Stimulating." --Stern's HR Management Review How can managers bring about optimum performance from the individuals in their organizations? What leadership techniques produce the most effective organizations? Improving Organizational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership explains the theory and practice of this dynamic and innovative leadership style that challenges and motivates an entire organization--top to bottom. The transformational leader encourages followers by acting as a role model, motivating through inspiration, stimulating intellectually, and giving individualized consideration for needs and goals. The result is individual, group, and organizational achievement beyond expectations. Each chapter deals with how transformational leadership affects important issues in today's organizations, such as delegation, teamwork, decision making, total quality management, and corporate reorganization. With a cast of contributors from the forefront of leadership studies, this book is a must for both the scholar and the enlightened manager who strive for improvement for his or her organization. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Four-Point Model for Transformational Leadership
The authors of this book provide an easy to implement model of transformational leadership based on four points, which they call the four I's. The focus of their full-range leadership model is a long-term transformational change, as opposed to short-term transactional models. The author's model reflects the importance of leadership and vision in creating organizational "buy-in," driving competitive change, and creating self-sustaining organizations through the growth of like-minded leaders.

I found this book to be well-written and easy to read. The authors apply the model to a wide-range of organizational situations. The only limitation to this book that I found, was a question that I posed to the model, which questions the validity of the model if the culture does nor support the leadership and vision. I suppose though, that the authors would counter argue that if the culture did not support the leadership and vision, that the basis of their model, the four I's were not being implmented properly.

A great book
This is one of the best books on leadership that I have ever read ... Read more

Book Description

According to a recent issue of the Harvard Business Review, more than experience or training, it's a person's level of resilience in the face of stressful circumstances that will determine whether he succeeds or fails. Resilience at Work gives readers the courage and determination to face stressful problems instead of denying or avoiding them. Readers will learn proven techniques for:* Increasing positive attitudes like commitment, control, and challenge, while decreasing those of isolation, powerlessness, and threat* Developing patterns of support based on giving and getting assistance Luckily, resilience is not simply an ability one is born with, but a skill anyone can learn and improve. Resilience at Work gives readers the motivation and tools to work constructively and remain hardy through difficult situations, and turn stressful changes in the workplace into golden opportunities. ... Read more

Book Description

"Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it."

-- Lou Holtz

Meet Lou Holtz, the motivational miracle worker who revitalized the Notre Dame football program by leading the legendary Fighting Irish to nine bowl games and a national championship. During his twenty-seven years as a head football coach, Holtz garnered a 216-95-7 career record. Each new assignment brought a different team with different players, but, invariably, the same result--success. How did he do it? By designing a game plan for his players that minimized obstacles while maximizing opportunities.

Now he wants to pass his game plan on to you. In Winning Every Day, you'll discover ten strategies that will drive you to the top of your professional and personal life. Coach Holtz will reveal how you can acquire the focus and commitment it takes to be a champion. It won't be easy; it takes sacrifice to be the best. But now you'll have a proven winner alongside you in the trenches. Winning Every Day demonstrates how you can elevate your performance while raising the standards of everyone around you. Follow Coach's strategies and winning becomes habitual. You will learn to welcome sacrifice as you dedicate yourself to excellence. He will show you how to clearly define your short-term and long-term goals, to develop an unwavering sense of purpose without compromising flexibility.

Through it all, Coach Holtz will help you discover the courage you need to live a life of unremitting triumph. You couldn't have a better guide. He will provide you with the strategies he has shared with Fortune 500 companies, groups, and organizations. Voted the top motivational speaker two years running by a survey of speakers' bureaus, Coach is going to present you with all the Xs and Os, the basics of his game plan for success in life and business.

Reviews (9)

NOPE!
When you read the reviews here, you'd think this guy could walk on water, but this book is long on motivation and short on application. Now, if you want something that will blow the concepts and information in this book right out of the water and, at the same time, get rid of the "Big Daddy" syndrome which this book fosters too, read SUCCESS CYBERNETICS by Uell S. Andersen - a book that's never been out of print since it first appeared in 1966! SUCCESS CYBERNETICS is available from amazon.com too, go see the reviews and get it. Forget the "Raw Raw Raw, Sis Boom Bah" approach that this one contains.

Life & Leadership Tips from a Master Motivator
Lou Holtz, currently the head football coach at the University of South Carolina, has written one of the best, and most enjoyable leadership books I have ever read. His game plan for success was largely told through his gridiron experiences, but this plan is about much more than just football-it is a proven, common-sense guide for succeeding in the game of life.

What makes Holtz's life and leadership insights so compelling and believable are his dynamic life experiences and his incredible list of accomplishments: parents were divorced; fiance' broke off their engagement, but they later married and remain so after 40 years; only coach to lead 4 different programs to top-20 finishes and 6 different programs to bowl games (William and Mary, N.C. State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, South Carolina); 23 of 32 college teams he coached have received bowl bids, with 18 top-25 finishes, 8 top-10 finishes, and one undefeated national championship; 3rd winningest active coach and 7th place all-time with 243 victories; wife's heroic battle with throat cancer; fired or let go as assistant coach more than once; polled as the best motivational speaker in the country two years in a row, and his motivational video "Do Right!" is the all-time best-seller; guest speaker at most Fortune 500 companies; and was invited to the Oval Office by four different presidents.

Holtz's game plan consists of ten steps. Each step is explored in detail in its own chapter. The colorful, real-world stories and humorous anecdotes Holtz used to present the steps' lessons perfectly complemented his conversational writing style. The final chapter is considered the "end-zone" of success-where you can be if you have the courage, desire, and character to apply the lessons described within the plan's steps.

The book is jammed full of common-sense, spiritual, philosophical, and motivational life and leadership perspectives. The most memorable passages for me as a father, leader, and follower were Holtz's thoughts about discipline:

"For me, a disciplinarian is someone who requires that people understand the consequences of their decisions. You use discipline to reinforce choices. Our athletes and my children knew that if they chose to misbehave, they were also choosing to pay the consequences...In each case, I never punished anyone; the offenders chose the punishment themselves by their actions."

He illustrated his commitment to being a disciplinarian by describing the circumstances that led to him suspending his top three Arkansas players before the 1977 Orange Bowl (against Oklahoma), and to suspending two of his best players before his top-ranked Notre Dame team played the second-ranked University of Southern California in 1988:

"[They] recklessly violated our Do Right rule, which governs personal conduct...These were not bad guys; they simply made a bad decision...I didn't want the keys to our offense to miss our biggest game of the year, but when they decided to break our rules, they also decided to miss the game. Now I had to support that choice."

Holtz is a master motivator and a proven true winner in football and life. My highest recommendation for this book is best captured by Holtz himself when he wrote, "As you know, the only things that will change you from where you are today to where you want to be five years from now are the books you read and the people you meet." I hope I someday get a chance to meet Lou Holtz and thank him for his outstanding book on life and leadership.

Winning Every Day
I bought this book at Notre Dame when I was visiting my brother and it is a great book. Good thing I am a ND fan or I would have never found this book. I agree with everything Lou Holtz says in this book. I think it is all very true and makes good sense. It helps when he uses real life encounters as examples. I read all of the reviews inside the book from many celebrities who have found this book of great help. Lou Holtz can show you how you can win at anything you do, every day.

A winner of a book
A truly inspirational motivational book which has turned my attitude towards my career on its head. Mr Holtz' and Mr McKay's style is uncompromising and challenging - "If kissing a** was not a metaphor would you still do it to achieve your goal? If the answer is "No" toss this book in the trashcan now and go flip burgers." Drawing examples from notable "winners" from history the authors urge readers to harness their power and potential to achieve their dreams. Though I say so myself, Alexander the Great would have been "who da man?" as I nailed that paper towel distribution contract. I'll chalk that one up to "Winning Every Day" which I've certainly made part of my game plan for success in the public hygience product supply field.

Winning Every Day
Lou Holtz gives you motivation tips and how to succeed in life. He breaks it down into direct on clear-cut. The power of your attitude, tackling adversity, sense of purpose, your friends, being the best you can be, competing, taking care of yourself, trust, committed to your obligations, and care for others are all phases of the book takes you through. The goal of this book is to make you feel that Lou Holtz is sitting in front of you discussing all issues in a humorous way.

Winning Every Day": The Game Plan for Success is a book for everybody that wants to become a winner in every situation that life throws at you. It is direct, concise, clear-cut, humorous, wise, and precise in its recommendations for how to win every day. The book will make you a winner. All you have to do is spend two hours on reading the book. It's funny and a great book to read if you want to get on track or continue staying on track. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Sent from the Heavens!
Better than the Bible...this book is the replacement.

All we need is a place of worship.

MM

Insightful!
Debra A. Benton's book is a guide for making a better impression, exercising power effectively, and developing improved personal relationships at work. In any corporate culture, the goal is paradoxical: you want to fit in and stand out, at the same time. Based on her experience in working with business leaders as a coach, trainer, and consultant, Benton offers a variety of techniques that emphasize personal presentation and communication skills. While the book will appeal primarily to managers, these skills are useful to anyone who wants to get ahead. Benton combines a lively writing style with effective examples. The book includes useful summaries at the end of each chapter and a brief appendix. We [...] recommend it as an excellent book for anyone in a corporate culture, although there is some overlap with topics from Benton's more recent work, How to Think Like a CEO.

Required Reading
As an executive trainee for a large retail company, I was required to read this book. Benton gives pointers on how to be a clone, a sell out, a working stiff with no sense of individuality or concern for others.

It was poorly written and thoroughly disgusting.

Bleh.

AMAZING!
This book is amazing for the American who wants to get ahead. A lot of the things that Miss Benton talks about in her book are common sense, however, this book shows through examply how things work. Many things that she talks about you do not realize you do.

Ever since i have read her book, i consiously think about doing the things she says to do. You can take this book into both business and social enviroments.

I highly reccomend this book to all men and women who want to get ahead in the workplace, and more importantly, LIFE!

This is the Bible on leadership and professional presence.
D.A. Benton has done her homework and given readers a gift. This is the survival kit on for entry level professionals who wish to learn the ins-and-outs of leadership and professional presence, as well as senior level professionals who wish to stay on top of their collective game. D.A. Benton has used superior judgment in using her initials so readers will move beyond the sex of the messenger to focus on the message. She covers all aspects of establishing and maintaining professional presence to include physical, mental, verbal and nonverbal interactions and options. This is THE survival kit for leaders and those who aspire to be leaders. ... Read more

Book Description

"We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world." -Woodrow WilsonFew of us will regret not having spent more time at the office upon reaching heaven's gate. Yet as we focus on making a good living, we often forget to make a life. Why not transform work into a pursuit that feeds the spirit and the pocketbook, and benefits society, too? Now that would be a life worth living, a legacy to look back upon.MAKING A LIFE, MAKING A LIVINGFormer professor at Harvard Business School, highly successful Fortune 500 consultant, and part owner of lucrative businesses, Mark Albion had it all-but the "it" he had wasn't what his body and soul needed to thrive. So he did the unthinkable. He gave up what he did so well and started over.

Drawing on intimate interviews with a dozen fast-trackers he met on his search for happiness, Mark shares how these men and women found the courage and motivation to re-create successful professional lives guided by passion.

You'll meet, among others, Judy George, who went from a crushing job termination-to establishing her own home furnishings company based on the same treasured values that guide her family...Ira Jackson, who left his public sector job-and put his social conscience to work rebuilding a bank's reputation...and Tom Reis, who found the climb up the corporate ladder unfulfilling-and now works at a nonprofit organization for a cause that truly matters to him.

MAKING A LIFE, MAKING A LIVING proves that you can change horses in midstream and find work you really love. Inspiring, eye-opening, and sprinkled with insightful quotes from such diverse sources as Mother Teresa, W. C. Fields, Maya Angelou, Marilyn Monroe, Warren Buffett, and Martin Luther King, Jr., this personal In Search of Excellence for the new millennium will help you combine your ambition and passions to create a livelihood that enriches both the world and yourself. ... Read more

Reviews (61)

Real Life Inspiration
Making a Life Making a Living found it's way into my life during a time of transition. Isn't it amazing how the universe provides us with what we need when we need it. I found myself out of work for the first time since I was 14 and ready to seriously evaluate my 13 year career as a marketing professional. Mark's book provided me with the insight, inspiration and courage to do some serious soul-searching and find my place in the world. But Mark's inspiration and support do not stop with this incredible book. He continues to support you on your journey through his newsletter. It provides a wonderful source of support and sense of community for those who dare to be themselves in the world. The journey can be scary and the road can be long, but you are never alone thanks to Mark Albion and his fellow travelers. Thank you, Mark, for sharing your journey and the journey of hundreds of others who are Making a Life, not just a living in this world.

Inspiring & Illuminating Ideas from a Fast Company Favorite
Making a Life Making A Living is a perfect companion for those seeking authenticity, passion, and balance in life. If you're envisioning what comes next, or just pondering the possibilities of what you have, Mark Albion's writing brilliantly captures the essence of the balance we all try to strike between "shoulds and coulds" and the age old relationships between life, work, and happiness.

** Why did I buy? The power of the book’s premise illustrated in the opening pages:

"A study of business school graduates tracked the careers of 1,500 people from 1960 to 1980. From the beginning, the graduates were grouped into two categories. Category A consisted of people who said they wanted to make money first so that they could do what they really wanted to do later -- after they had taken care of their financial concerns. Those in category B pursued their true interests first, sure that money eventually would follow.

What percentage fell into each category?

Of the 1500 graduates in the survey, the money-now category A's comprised 83 percent, or 1,245 people. Category B risk takers made up 17 percent, or 255 graduates.

After 20 years, there were 101 millionaires in the group. One came from Category A, 100 from Category B.

The overwhelming majority of people who have become successful have become so thanks to work they found profoundly absorbing...Their 'luck' arose from the accidental dedication they had to an area they enjoyed."

** Why am I writing this review? The power of an authentic author:

I wrote to Dr. Mark earlier today with a question. I heard back via email *within the hour* with real, illuminating words of wisdom. Now that's rare under any circumstance, never mind authors responding to unknown readers. Mark Albion is a true human being who intersperses his work with wisdom from the likes of Coehlo, Emerson, Browning, and Churchill as he shares the stories of real people leading lives of extraordinary excellence and passion.

The people he profiles range from a mother who never graduated college but went on to raise $30M in venture capital for a wildly successful business; to the socially minded restaurateur who whose life journey meandered from a stint in Alaska to running alternative clothing stores in Philadelphia; and to the MBA fast trackers who found true meaning and unbelievable success outside of their original planned, Excel sheet-laden existence.

"To achieve beautiful synchronicity between who you are and what you do, assume your own shape rather than fit into some corporate box." -- from Chapter 11, Alan Webber, Founding Editor, Fast Company.

Making a Life Making Living will be essential reading for everyone in any of my ventures in life, and has already made it onto the reading lists of friends and associates. You can devour a preview of chapter one at:

Take a second, I think you'll be pleasantly amazed.

Sap... pap... crap!
Any more saccharin, and this would make a Hollywood movie.

I laughed, I cried, I was very touched
Making A Life, Making A Living came into my life at just the right time. As a big believer in pursuing my business and personal dreams, Dr. Mark's anecdotes and stories touched me in a very personal way. It's works like this that help you realize what's important and what really matters.

I'm enjoying the journey every day!

Thanks Dr. Mark!

Big dissapointment
I thought this was going to be the perfect book to help encourage me to change careers. After the third chapter I became so annoyed at all of the pro Liberal / Socialist and anti Capitalist comments I could not stand reading it any more. Why did the author have to inject so much politics into an otherwise neutral subject? ... Read more