Category: Book Reviews

Reviews of books I have read

Being Gracious

Guest Post By Bob Burg and John David Mann

On this morning, when Gillian meets with Coach George, she finds herself watching Mrs. B., one of the wealthiest women in town, serving breakfast to a group of underprivileged children alongside a famous local athlete. Not only are they serving the children food, they are also serving up a heaping helping of self-esteem. In both words and actions they communicate that while these youngsters may come from difficult circumstances, they are immensely valued young human beings. Gillian is fascinated, but can’t quite come up with the word she wants when her mentor ask her, what quality is it that Mrs. B. (a/k/a Elizabeth) and the tall quarterback share in common? Continue reading Being Gracious

Set the Frame … and Sometimes Reset It

Guest Post By Bob Burg and John David Mann

Jackson Hill and his mentor, Judge Henshaw, are back at Rachel’s Famous Coffee for another lesson. One that Jackson badly needs as he’s about to continue his negotiations with the formidable Gillian Waters later that day. And his first meeting with the buyer at Smith & Banks had not gone well.

“Set the frame,” the Judge said. “The frame is more important than the content, because the frame is the context. Whoever sets the frame of the conversation also sets the tone and the direction in which it will go.

“Before Abraham Lincoln became president he was a very successful trial lawyer with a very unusual style. Continue reading Set the Frame … and Sometimes Reset It

Listen with the Back of Your Neck

Guest Post by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Gillian Waters, a buyer for Smith & Banks, a national chain of pet accessory stores is listening attentively to her mentor, the Coach, a short, stout fireplug of a man. They’re at the Juice Caboose where, after draining most of his glass (“Celery juice: best when drunk in the first sixty seconds”), he shares his next lesson with one word his protégée finds surprising.

“Listen.” Continue reading Listen with the Back of Your Neck

Master Your Emotions

Guest Post By Bob Burg and John David Mann

The scene is a coffee shop called Rachel’s Famous Coffee, one of a widely-regarded worldwide chain. Jackson Hill is learning his first big lesson while in conversation with his new mentor, the honorable Judge Celia Henshaw (retired).

“Your reaction wasn’t based on the facts of what happened, but purely on your own feelings. Which are not always entirely trustworthy.”

“But he could have gotten us both killed!” said Jackson. Continue reading Master Your Emotions

How to Cyber-Influence – Even When You Disagree

Guest Post by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Social media allows us great opportunities to connect with others. It creates the context for democratizing influence, giving voice to individuals on a mass basis.

It’s exciting just to consider the good that can be accomplished as various (and yes, opposing) political and other viewpoints can be communicated intelligently, respectfully, and persuasively, and without the filter of the usual authority figures. Imagine the potential for mutual understanding! Continue reading How to Cyber-Influence – Even When You Disagree

The Book of Mistakes – And Lessons Learned

Present Day

David is worried about his job and his life in general. He has just been given a warning by his new boss about actions he was falsely accused of by this same boss. On his way home, he found a note he thought he would return to the young woman he had bumped into that morning. He had helped her gather several similar pages scattered by the wind. However, after reading the note, an invitation to a meeting, he decided to attend this meeting himself and hoped to see the young woman with the contagious laughter and twinkle in her eye again too. Little did he know Continue reading The Book of Mistakes – And Lessons Learned

One of 250 Million

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Zig Ziglar. 

You may or may not know that name. You may have heard the name and never really knew anything about the man or the message he shared over the 40+ years he was sharing it. I hope I can help answer both of those questions as I tell you my Zig story. You may have heard he is a sales trainer, a self-help author, a goals trainer, an attitude changer, and positive attitude evangelist. All those descriptions are accurate but not complete when considered individually. Continue reading One of 250 Million

Shaken, but standing firm


“In 2007, after winning the Heisman, I was told I was the best in the world. And then, three years later, I was told I couldn’t throw. ” Tim Tebow in Shakentebow-social-612x612-4

I am sure you have heard of Tebowing and seen photos of the ‘John 3;16’ written in eye black in the NCAA National Championship game in January 2009 to draw attention to this verse of scripture. This worked pretty well as over 94 million people Googled this verse during that game. What happened exactly 3 years later in a playoff game between Denver and Pittsburgh is a part of this story you probably have not heard. It is pretty amazing too. Continue reading Shaken, but standing firm

Between Heaven & Hollywood – A Review

img_20161024_031259244I was fortunate to be part of the Launch Team for Between Heaven & Hollywood by David A.R. White in exchange for my honest review and sharing it with others. My honest review is what follows.

You can still get the Dreamers Package download FREE if you order today and email a copy of your receipt to preorder@davidarwhite.com. You can see more details at book.davidarwhite.com. Continue reading Between Heaven & Hollywood – A Review

America in Name Only?

I hope the title got your attention. That was the intent. I know those who follow politics are aware of Republicans in Name Only or RINOs as they are less than affectionately called. This is not that but it IS related, sort of. They both end the same way – In Name Only.

I just finished reading If You Can Keep It, the latest book by Eric Metaxas.41MVx69VbUL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_One of the central thoughts put forth in this book is the fact if we, as Americans, do not wake up and take control of our government and our country we are on track to becoming America in Name Only. I agree with his assessment. We have been heading down this path for many years now. Where we are headed is further and further away from the principles that founded this country and made America unique and the country all others want to immigrate to. Too many of us already here have taken our freedoms and responsibilities for granted for too long. Continue reading America in Name Only?