Careers Books

The Truth: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know Everything As a positive psychologist and practicing psychologist in New Jersey, I'm always looking for books that uplift my clients when they come into my office. The Daring Females Guide to Ecstatic Living is one such book. I keep it on a table near where many of my clients sit. It fits so closely with my positive psychology practice, highlighted in my first book, The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy.
Recently, one woman who is finding her way to have more fun and adventure in her life, started to skim the book while she waited for me. She was so thrilled with it. She said, "This book is talking to me! I love what she is saying and all the ideas."

I agree with my client. This book is full of inspiration for women looking to move past the ruts and stalemates in their lives. For example, on p. 58, Natasha suggests that you "Dare to imitate people who inspire you." This is such a great notion. And Natasha doesn't just leave the idea out there. She gives you many ways to move forward in your self-mentoring program. She suggests keeping a list of all their traits that you admire, and also seeing in detail how they made their dreams come true, so you can learn steps in the process of success-making.

I highly recommend this book! Do you want to have fun? Do you want to have the courage to make your positive vibes extend into the world, way beyond whatever you dreamed as a child? Then read this book and DARE!Enchanted Self: A Positive Therapy (New Directions in Therapeutic Intervention , Vol 1)

This lovely book takes you by the hand and shows you how to make your life a more daring and fulfilling journey. For the person who is a little risk-shy but wants to live large I highly recommend you to buy this book and begin living with more passion, purpose, joy and excitement than you ever have. Before you know it you'll be living way out of the box and enjoying every moment.

This book is great! It starts with mild dares and then they go up the daring scale from there. You can choose your dare, you don't have to start at the beginning.
I really liked that she told her own story. I have more respect for authors that tell us readers what it was like/how it felt when they went through it.

Thumbs up! And I like her newsletter!

I bought this for myself in October. When I started to read it, I knew it was going to be the gift I gave to all my girlfriends for Christmas. It's written in a friendly manner and the author has done many things in her life by rising to the challenge, so she is credible. My girlfriends all loved the book.

I flip through the book every morning and find myself ideas to start the day! The book gives ideas, big and small, on how to be an exciting, daring, and FUN female! I love it so much that I just bought copies for my friends and had it shipped to them! Get it! You'll love it!

When I first read this book, I thought it was "rushed". Everyone seemed to be hurrying through the day. Then I realized that's pretty much like our own "day care days". I also loved that the daddy in the story is pretty much the primary care giver...he gets the kids dressed, takes them to day care, puts them in bed, etc. My husband is like this, also, so it was great for my daughter to see the daddy taking the kids to day care just like her daddy does. It is one of my daughter's favorite books...She especially loves the pictures and always insists on "naming" all the kids at the day care. (ex. "This girl in the picture is me, this one can be Ann Marie, that boy is Reed".)

Beautiful illustrations highlight this book! The rich colors and bold designs are warm and fun. We particularly like the twist on traditional gender roles as Mom goes off to work while Dad does day care drop-off and pick-up, and cooks dinner to boot!

This book is a deffinate must for all toddlers. The two babies in my life adore this book. The combination of the colorful and expressive drawings with the soothing yet fun wrtiting is irresistable. Don't leave without buying this book!

This book is a great way of introducing children to day care. It shows the hectic world that is experienced by millions of working parents and their kids each day in a comforting yet realistic manner. The illustrations are lively - rich, beautiful, opaque colors with swirls, dashes and complex patterns throughout. A treasure for the eyes.

I am a toddler teacher always looking for great new books to read at circle time - this is it! The story follows a simple format easy enough for 2-3 year olds in day care to understand. The illustrations are vibrant and easy for children to identify with. This is a wonderful book that lets children know that their world is important to us and that the emotions they feel are natural and quite common. This book is requested by my students on a daily basis!

I LOVED this book. Diana Vreeland's "Why don't you..." suggestions are absolutely wild. They're obviously intended for women of *great* means (why don't you give a diamond bracelet as a gift to the wife of your favorite bandleader?). And some of the suggestions are so out there, I swear she was chewing magic mushrooms. My favorite is the suggestion to put in a private staircase from your bedroom to the library, and have it carpeted with a needlepoint rug that spells out the notes to your favorite tune. My god, you're right, I'll do that tomorrow!!
This book is great to read out loud at a party.

the strange thing is, I am not sure if it's intentionally funny. The author clearly admires Vreeland, and it's a very affectionate book with wonderful photographs.

It is definitely a great glimpse at another era, and at a level of society I can only imagine. To have the kind of money that allows you to do some of these things is beyond my wildest dreams. It's a fun fantasy trip, and a fun retro trip. Five stars.

This book is something to read on a rainy day. It is beautifully put together and very mood uplifting. The suggestions do not seem all that outrageous to me and indeed could add that very necessary flair or as Diana would say PIZAZZ to your life. I love her suggestions for interior decorating. She talks about the pursuit of the perfect RED. How lovely to imagine living a life where your most important concerns are finding the perfect RED. And yes this book is probably for people who are already fans of Diana. Great pictures too.
ACL

My only qualm: I wish there'd been more "Why don't you...?"s. Frankly, I couldn't get enough of them:

"Why don't you have your cigarettes stamped with a personal insignia as a well-known explorer did with a penguin?"

"Why don't you rinse your blond child's hair in dead champagne to keep its gold, as they do in France?"

"Why don't you wear violet velvet mittens with everything?"

Indeed, why don't I?

This slim book far outshines its company in the Diana Vreeland library, and especially "Allure," a gigantic coffee table book with photographs that appear to have been digitized with a $20 scanner.

Of course, you must know and love Mrs. Vreeland to be here in the first place. Given that you do, buy this book. Don't expect a compendium of her suggestions and aphorisms. Do expect a delightful hour's browse. Well worth the money.

Any info on D.V. is exciting to me. This pretty book is filled with great photos and listing of all the "Why Don't You" articles created by Diana during her days at Harpers. If you are a fan of Diana Vreeland (as I am) you must add this book to your collection.

I am sure that in the coming months you will attend a college graduation party. Or you may know a recent college graduate. If you are agonizing over a gift for that person, look no further than Ditch The Flip-Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College by Sylvia I. Landy.

I was provided a reviewers copy of this book.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish
Chapter 2: Get the 411
Chapter 3: Draw Some Blood
Chapter 4: Step Outside the Box
Chapter 5: Spend More Than Chump Change
Chapter 6: Ooze "the Right Stuff"
Chapter 7: Sweat Simple Around the Clock
Chapter 8: Bring Along an Entourage
Chapter 9: Assume the Versatile Chat Position
Chapter 10: Seize the Moment
Chapter 11: Turn the Tables
Chapter 12: Up the Ante
Chapter 13: Pull Out Plan B
Chapter 14: Strike Pay Dirt!
Conclusion
Sources
Index

Sylvia Landy has created a book specifically for the recent college graduate looking for their first job. Through several businesses, Landy has always hired recent college graduates, mostly as a cost savings measure. She knows what she is talking about, and wants to provide her experiences, and those of others, to assist college graduates with the tools needed to successfully land a job. Not only does she provide the standard resume writing tips, but she also shows the reader how to answer the predictable and not-so predictable interview questions. Things that you may think are common sense, like don't go out to a party the night before an interview, clean up your Facebook and MySpace pages, and record new voice mail greetings, are included. Throughout the book she throws some humorous, and not so funny, anecdotes, that will add to her points. She also addresses those readers who did not graduate with stellar grades or many activities.

There are many books that will help with resume writing, interviewing, and job searching. This book ties it all together for the recent college graduate in a well written and very worthwhile book. Now that you have graduated, you are competing with over a million graduates. You need an "edge," and this book delivers it. I was impressed at the breadth of the topics that Landy covered, not only how to write a letter in advance of your interview, but also how to handle illegal questions (age, sexual preference, religious affiliations), videoconference interviews, what and how to order if you are meeting someone over lunch, and more. Whether you are competing for an internship or full-time employment, this book will provide you the tools necessary to stand out in the crowd and land that job.

My only problem with this book is that it wasn't available when I graduated. :-)

If you think that finding a job is comprised of simply submitting a crudely drafted resume on a company's website, you're solely mistaken. Ditch the Flip Flops is the handbook for any recent college graduate who wants to land his or her dream job. Ditch answers all the question a reader could ask about the interview process. It covers everything from how to prepare for the interview, how to answer questions and how to leave a lasting impression even after the interview is over.

I had some reservations about reading a 300 page book pertaining to the interview process, but Landy's wit and humor kept me entertained from start to finish. Passages like, "Speaking of oily ... this is not the way to get noticed in your interview" still make me laugh when I skim through the pages before I have an interview. Ditch is not only the quintessential interview handbook, but it is also an enjoyable read.

I could not believe how much information was packed into one book! I loved the questionnaires, the advice, the examples and the further reading and search engines recommended by the author. Truly a bargin for so much information!

Based on the title, I was first attracted to this book as a possible graduation gift. I didn't really see anything else out there with job interviewing fundamentals for twentysomethings. As graduation gifts, I bought a few copies and before wrapping them up, I decided to read one myself. I was really impressed.

I can see how Ditch the Flip-Flops was sorely needed for both internship and full-time employment interview tips. It's definitely geared toward college students and their unique situation in meeting recruiters for the first time. The Q & A section is right on the mark, as are the chapters outlining wardrobe malfunctions as well as interview follow-up strategies, and the management of both phone and in-person meetings (on campus, in the corporate office and other locations).

I think the material is definitely written in a straightforward manner that appeals to college students. While every reader won't tackle Ditch the Flip-Flops cover to cover it's a great resource that can be easily accessed on a chapter by chapter basis.

I continue to give this book as a graduation present because I'm always thanked for it!

Since graduating from college in May and immediately enlisting in a full-scale job hunt, I can only now fully understand the difficulty of separating yourself from the flood of other recent graduates clamoring for post-college employment. The importance lies not only in "selling yourself", but also in determining the qualities you possess which will set you apart as a unique candidate for a desired position. Ditch the Flip-Flops acknowledges this importance and effectively guides readers into determining what positive attributes they have to offer future employers.

The book goes above and beyond your typical interview handbook by dealing with the smaller yet equally important details frequently overlooked by most authors. From specific wardrobe advice, to the pre-interview morning routine, and even to what your body language reveals about you, Ditch the Flip-Flops leaves no stone unturned and acknowledges the seemingly insignificant, yet sometimes crucial particulars that often slip readers' minds in preparing for job interviews.

Author Sylvia Landy takes what could have become a dull, lackluster how-to manual and infuses it with humor and encouragement. While the book's advice is straightforward and practical, Landy provides effective, amusing (and sometimes slightly horrifying) anecdotes to illustrate her points. Readers can approach the job industry with boosted confidence as the book equips them with the tools and attitude necessary to come across as informed, qualified job candidates. The book covers every step of the job-search process from beginning to end; not simply the interview itself, but finding a job opening, building a resume, and even weighing post-interview job offers.

I have no doubt that customers who purchase Landy's book will profit from its advice and gain a new-found confidence in their abilities not only to attain jobs, but to succeed in any future career pursuits.

I'm tired of the hoopla about diversity. So when my colleague at work loaned me this book and encouraged me to read it, I did so reluctantly. In hindsight, I have to say I like the way the author got me involved from the beginning. She asks the reader to assume the role of a CEO whose company is in trouble. She wants to take me on a "journey" to help me understand how diversity can help turn my company around. I found that just a little hokey. But by business imperative #10, I was surprised at how the "journey" concept really had worked. I liked the idea that I actually did turn my company around and that it was selected as one of Fortune's most admired companies. That was clever on the part of the author. The reader is provided with lots of statistics on population trends and emerging market trends. It was almost too much, but the author certainly makes her point that the world's complexion is changing. That did get my attention. Although the statistics may have gotten a little exhaustive, her summary highlights at the end of each chapter are a great idea. Crib notes for executives, or anyone else, who don't want to take the time to read the entire book. She makes the important facts easy to retrieve. I thought the best chapters had to do with creativity and the war for talent. There was really some good stuff in there.The author's style is very direct and matter-of-fact, a plus for this subject which often gets emotionalized or overly philosophical for my taste. So, overall, I would say that this was a good read about a subject that was not of real interest to me, at least until now. I would recommend it highly to managers and human resource professionals.

This is one of the better books I've read on diversity. As the author states, there has been a lot written about why diversity is the right thing to do - why it's the politically correct thing to do. But when diversity is positioned that way, it still feels like affirmative action. It's still a focus on numbers. It's still lip service by companies that are concerned about legal liabilities. What Henry does is take a much more pragmatic approach. She focuses on the positive, bottom line, results businesses can realize when they leverage diversity. This book really underscores how diversity can be a competitive advantage. The author delves into the changing demographics. Her statistics are great, showing us that the workforce of tomorrow is increasingly diverse. So is the customer base. I didn't realize that the purchasing power of minorities here in the U.S. has grown so substantially. Henry reminds us that they are increasingly selective as well in terms of which companies they'll choose to buy goods and services from. I really liked her examples of marketing gaffes made by companies who fail to take the diversity of their customers into account. As the author points out, these blunders are examples of opportunities lost and costs to the company that come right off the bottom line. I'm impressed by the research, facts and statistics that the author compiles. Her bibliography and recommended resources are quite impressive. This is a really compelling call to action for businesses trying to compete in the global economy. I now understand what the author means by diversity is a "global necessity" whose time has come. The author argues with good back-up data that diversity needs to be embraced by organizations and no longer merely tolerated.

This is one of the better books I've read on diversity. As the author states, there has been a lot written about why diversity is the right thing to do - why it's the politically correct thing to do. But when diversity is positioned that way, it still feels like affirmative action. It's still a focus on numbers. It's still lip service by companies that are concerned about legal liabilities. What Henry does is take a much more pragmatic approach. She focuses on the positive, bottom line, results businesses can realize when they leverage diversity. This book really underscores how diversity can be a competitive advantage. The author delves into the changing demographics. Her statistics are great, showing us that the workforce of tomorrow is increasingly diverse. So is the customer base. I didn't realize that the purchasing power of minorities here in the U.S. has grown so substantially. Henry reminds us that they are increasingly selective as well in terms of which companies they'll choose to buy goods and services from. I really liked her examples of marketing gaffes made by companies who fail to take the diversity of their customers into account. As the author points out, these blunders are examples of opportunities lost and costs to the company that come right off the bottom line. I'm impressed by the research, facts and statistics that the author compiles. Her bibliography and recommended resources are quite impressive. This is a really compelling call to action for businesses trying to compete in the global economy. I now understand what the author means by diversity is a "global necessity" whose time has come. The author argues with good back-up data that diversity needs to be embraced by organizations and no longer merely tolerated.

This book is a bargain for anybody who's involved in diversity in the workplace. Pamela Henry has written the BEST argument I've ever read on why organizations need to start treating diversity seriously and incorporating it as a business strategy. She does so by discussing ten business "imperatives," which range from demographics, globalization and the war for talent, to business competencies like recruitment, retention, creativity and productivity. The author has done a lot of research. She also incorporates vignettes about her diversity experiences in Corporate America, sharing stories that really give the reader great insight into the advantages and challenges that diversity in the workplace offers. But that's not the best part of the book. The best is the second part in which Henry includes strategies, tactics, tools and metrics to launch and sustain a diversity initiative. She includes her 9-S model she's developed to give organizations a framework from which to plan and launch a diversity initiative. She includes great metrics and tools to ensure organizational accountability. The diversity scorecard is comprehensive. She even includes a cultural audit that is one of the best I've seen. Her insights into what skills and competencies leaders must acquire in order to create an inclusive culture that values all differences is really on target. So are her strategies and tactics for recruiting a diverse pipeline. This book needs to be read and utilized by companies that are serious about making a commitment to diversity and an inclusive culture. It's the best bargain going at $...

This book has everything a person interested in the field of diversity would want and it's very comprehensive. First, it has probably the best business case for diversity I've ever read. I really liked the fact that the author stuck to the bottom line implications of diversity and didn't stray into the philosophical or moral issues surrounding diversity. She really tells companies how they can leverage diversity to increase their profits. Second, the author's style is very straightforward. She supplements her arguments with facts and current statistics, and not leaps of faith. If you look at the end notes, you will see just how much research has gone into writing this book, which really adds to its credibility. Her chapter on the war for talent was especially compelling. She tells us that the shortage of skilled, technical labor is increasing. Worse, the U.S. is producing far fewer engineers needed to narrow this gap than many Asian and European competitors. The data the author presents is both convincing and scary at the same time. The numerous examples of costly mistakes companies have made by not understanding the cultures of the customers they were trying to sell to is interesting reading. It serves as a call to action for companies doing business in the global economy. The author does a good job of outlining the cost benefits of hiring right the first time. Replacement and retraining costs come right off the bottom line. Since the emerging workforce is increasingly diverse, her insights on how to source and recruit diverse talent are valuable. I also liked the chapter on creativity and how diversity creates greater bandwidth in experiences and perspectives that makes for better problem-solving and innovation. The author likens diversity to the "DNA" of creativity. Having no diversity at the table, she warns, is missing an opportunity to arrive at the "most elegant" solution. The tools that she includes in the second part of the book are awesome. Like I said, this is a great resource book for anyone interested in starting or managing a diversity program.

I Highly recommend Diversity At Work by Dr. Paul L. Gerhardt. It has several interesting stories on various leadership and management themes that really illustrate why some things are important to do as leaders. Gerhardt covers ways to make assess diversity needs of all types of organizations and how to implement diversity programs.

This is an excellent book that is easy to read and breaks down complex subject matter so that everyone at all levels of every kind of organiztaion can benefit.

Yes, the author has a name to remember!

Diversity at Work: What Every Leader Should Know to be More Effective takes a meaningful look at diversity in the workplace. The author offers a practical approach to "diversity-thinking." Of special value is the model for and linkage between A Plan for Organizational Diversity, How to Make Diversity Programs Work and the Diversity Training Process.

A simple thought from a simple man, spoken in the midst of the worst riot in Los Angeles in 30 years. A quote still remembered today almost 15 years later. For all his faults and lack of pedigree, Rodney King got it right. Inspite of our differences, "We Have To Get Along"...

"Diversity At Work", is a blueprint for doing just that.

As a manager for a large retail company, I am faced with this dilemma everyday. How do you bring a group of people from all walks of life and different backgrounds together for the common good of the company? How do you hold them together long enough to get your job done effectively? How do you motivate people individually, while still staying true to the objectives of the group?

Dr. Gerhardt's book was an eye opener in changing my thinking on how I deal with these issues at work. It would be difficult to explain to you without reading his book first.

We seem to only notice the differences in people these days. We've forgotten the bond between people that makes us whole.

Paul Gerhardts book reminded me, that in spite of our differences, we are all part of a larger family. One to be treated with respect, personel, or professional. Quite frankly, he sold me.

I'd bet that I could now find at least 5 things of common interest with anyone in the world in under 15 minutes. This is how you build a bridge...you begin by starting to build it.

Read this book. It will help you in ways I can't explain.

Matt Hillson.

"Diversity at Work: What Every Leader Should Know to be More Effective takes a meaningful look at diversity in the workplace. The author offers a practical approach to "diversity-thinking." Of special value is the model for and linkage between A Plan for Organizational Diversity, How to Make Diversity Programs Work and the Diversity Training Process."

In Diversity at Work, author Dr. Paul L. Gerhardt presents a total approach to mastering the art of leading people of all backgrounds. Gerhardt's holistic insights and perspectives tackle the challenges often associated with being a leader and gives readers a step-by-step roadmap to personal and professional success. "Effective leaders always find ways to praise." (Chapter 3)

This remarkable book covers communication, integrity, problem solving, wisdom, organizational change, diversity thinking, Human Resource perspective and much more using interesting research, organizational theory, facts, and fun stories. This is a powerfully straightforward book. Easy to read and tough to put down. It is a "must-have" for every CEO, manager, and leader at all levels of every kind of organization.

Thanks for Reading!

Exceptional. Damon does a wonderful job explaining ideas and concepts in great deal with fun, true-to-life stories that are real and applicable to anyone's life journey. He shares his intellectual thoughts in a clear, concise manner that is easy to follow and will make you want to keep reading.

No bells and whistles or complicated, superficial language. This book is straight forward and if followed is sure to bring success to its readers! I have not read a book in some time (and very few) from the perspective of a person who is realistic and focused on the true tools to achieve. I will be purchasing one of these books for every athlete I know as well as struggling professionals. If at such an age this man has this much wisdom, it would be a sin not to share. If I were you, I wouldn't let another day go by without this information...this is if you truly want to succeed, or just want to sit around and talk about how you "wish" you could. Buy it today!

Excellent! I really needed this type of book in high school and college. His personal stories about his personal struggles were amazingly insightful. Everyone can relate to this book! This book is great! plain and simple!

It's about time someone writes a book that truly reveals the importance of perserverance. Not only for young black males but everyone. I kind of relate this book to a recent convention I watched on CSPAN. Bill Cosby was speaking At the Rainbow Coalition convention on CSPAN, during this speach he talked about people being overcomers, especially the African-American community. But he explained somehow over the years African-Americans have started to point the finger and make excuses. Rev Jesse Jackson who I am not a big fan made an interesting point that young athletes succeed in athletics because of the training, discipline and preparation but when it comes to education young people specifically young athletes do not have the same approach, therefore they do not experience the same level of success. Point being people succeed because of their level of will power, preparation and discipline which this book explains perfectly. This book "Don't stop the Swagger" is wonderful it actually gives the needed mindset to succeed in not only education, but in athletics, business and beyond. This book is required reading for all people not just athletes. Damon J Smith's website is excellent! Just type "iswagger" in the search engine. This is the type of material we need in our educational system.

"Don't Stop the swagger is a great read! it gives an interesting relationship between corporate moguls and professional athletes. This is a must read for all athletes young and old. But the Author's personal stories can relate to anyone from all walks of life. It's refreshing to see an athlete who can really write and articulate a message that anyone can learn from. The last chapter titled "Inner Man" is honest, thought provoking and different than anything I have read. This is a must read for all people! In the Second portion of this book he talks about essential career skills. He actually breaks career into an acronym meaning: C for communication, A for Attitude(positive), R for Relationships, E for Education, second E for entreprenuerial mindset and the last R for relationships. Just a well thought out book! I found these chapters relevant for the business person, student or whomever.

Reviewed by Nicholas Lopez (age 5) and Leslie Granier for Reader Views (1/08)

"Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty!" tells the story of a very special family. Everyone, including the pets, has an important job and each is capable of doing something to help others. For example, the father is an attorney who helps his clients and the mother writes children's books. The bird even contributes by cleaning her cage. But at the heart of the story is Duncan, a dog that was rescued from a shelter and has become a volunteer at a hospital, passing on the love he receives from his family to the sick children.

Nicholas thought it was really cool that the kids got to play with the dog in the hospital. He enjoyed the pictures, which were very colorful and detailed. He laughed at the picture of the bird sweeping out her cage. He also thought it was funny when Duncan went to visit a grandma who fell off her skateboard. Although the book contains many light-hearted moments, it also provided an excellent opportunity to discuss more serious things with him, such as that some kids have to spend time away from home because they are sick.

This book will appeal to children between the ages of four and eight. It will be especially helpful for kids who have friends or siblings who have serious illnesses and often spend time in the hospital. The main focus of this book is that everyone plays an important role in the family and that each of them can do something to help others. After reading "Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty!" children will be interested in figuring out what their roles are in their families. This will be a great time to help them think of ways they can serve others.

"A delightful book. It has become a family favorite." -- Bettye Baker, columnist, Vineyard Gazette, Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

This inspirational and educational children's book is written from the perspective of a little girl in a busy but loving family. Her father is an attorney and her mother is a children's book author (Lisa Dunn-Dern?) who writes at home.

The little girl has an industrious pet bird named Delilah, and a friendly brown dog named Duncan that they rescued from the shelter. Duncan is a "Therapy Dog" whose job is to visit sick children in hospitals.

Readers will learn all about therapy dogs from this delightful book - how they must get ready to visit a hospital; what they must wear (they have a special ID vest and a backpack with three important things inside); and the kinds of things they do to help children and adults to feel better.

"Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty" has adorable color illustrations by Andrea Yomtob on each page, with easy-to-understand text for young readers. Children will want to read this heartwarming book again and again.

Mr. Duncan Dog on Duty is one of those wonderful delightful jewels of a children's book that you want to give to all of the people you know from the very young to the very old. With a wonderful tale about a hospital visiting dog, and the life-loving and life-giving family who owns him, this book is a joyous celebration of life, loving what you do everyday, and the joys of service. Service, not in the showy way, but in the simple caring way that shows how simple, but how meaningful it can be.

I love this book. I love the quirkiness, the joy, the delightful text and illustrations, the multi-racial family that is at the center of the book and with no fanfare, just a beautiful fact of life.

And, the illustrations are absolutely delightful, done with imaginative detail, great sense of humor--again for all ages---so that everyone can have a great time looking at the quirky and delightful details.

This book makes me smile whenever I read it, or even think about it. A great story, great drawings, and a great book!

"My job is to go to school, ask questions, try my best, and have a good time," says the little girl who tells this story. Everyone in the family has a job, and their dog Duncan's job is to be a therapy dog at the nearby children's hospital. This is a children's book that affirms the idea that everyone (even the family pet) can be of service and has something to share. Children will be introduced to the healing and comfort brought to people of all ages by therapy dogs. Though the ending is a bit abrupt, the illustrations are warm and colorful, and the concepts empowering. And who could not love the adorable Dr. Duncan Dog?

by Carolyn Blankenship
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Mathew Hayward's unusual book draws upon mythology to establish a major business premise and then proves it statistically. The premise is that hubris (CEO arrogance) is usually the source of illogical corporate mistakes, such as overpayment for acquisitions. The author draws heavily upon his research and other studies about "behavioral decision theory" to back up the concept that great pride often brings on a great fall. This profundity is basic to the philosophy of Greek tragedy, Dante, Shakespeare and Milton. The author used this concept to analyze more than 100 corporate mergers. He found that CEOs were usually the decision makers behind substantial overpayments for acquisitions. He concludes that egomania and narcissism, but not courage and conviction, must be "checked at the door." getAbstract recommends this interesting, thoughtful book.

I have written often on the topics of executive ego, pride, arrogance, etc., and found Ego Check to be a much needed work. Hayward does a great job of shining the light on what many know to be true, but few will actually publicly address. In my book Leadership Matters...The CEO Survival Manual: WHAT IT TAKES TO REACH THE C-SUITE AND STAY THERE I discuss many of these topics in great detail as I feel hubris is a key component in determining one's success in the business world. I would highly recommend Ego Check to anyone aspiring to achieve sustainable success in the corporate world.

I took a class with professor Hayward at CU, he is a very good instructor and I remember he was researching the topic of confidence at the time. This book reminded me of Good to Great's level 5 leadership, were Jim Collins also examines the CEOs of the book's examples of great companies. Good to Great gives a great overview on the subject of the executive ego, however Ego Check gets more into detail on this managerial psychology phenomenon that needs to be examined in depth by it self.

I took this book with me on vacation to Mexico, mostly because I figured I might get tired of the award-winning sci-fi book I brought. What I didn't realize was that the moment I opened Ego Check I would be hooked by the author's incisive writing and great case stories about many of the world's most celebrated CEOs. As I read about these CEOs and their successes as they gained confidence in their abilities, it was hard not to feel their pain as they fell from grace through their following over-confidence.

As I was reading, I felt that even though I have little or no power myself, I could learn much from this book as the author explained how to apply his principles to everyday situations. I ended up reading this book by the pool (I have the pictures to prove it -- my wife was not happy ;) and finished it in two days in between scuba diving).

Conclusion: Definitely a great read for anyone in a position of authority, or anyone working for someone in a position of authority (that should cover about 95% of the population over the age of 18). Highly recommended!

The book Ego Check, by Mathew Hayward, seems like it was written exactly for me. It's about the tendency towards overconfidence in striving individuals. The four major hallmarks of same are: excessive pride and boastfulness; failure to listen to foils who tell you when you're wrong; refusal to get feedback about the outcome of your activities; and not planning for problems, consequences, and corrective measures in advance.

The author gives case studies that show how these four faults led to disaster in the case of mountain climber Rob Hall, business executives Jean Messiers, Meg Whitman, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Dean Kamen, Merck in the Vioxx disaster, NASA in the Challenger and Columbia disasters, and The National Kidney program.

The only problem with the book is that it relies mainly anecdotal methodology to prove its points. It includes numerous cases where pride was very successful, such as Apple and Dell, where the same executive was guilty of hubris and of perfectly rational overconfidence. It espouses people like Jack Welch and Warren Buffet as role models for how not to let hubris get the better of their organization. But anyone who seriously studies these executives' activities might conclude, as I do, that these are sanctimonious scoundrels who are masterful at retrofitting their personae into a form that the media will love and whose judgment is superior to the free market.

As I read the book, I found myself thinking about my hobby, electric circuits. So many of them go into short circuits and uncontrollable output because the output is tied to the input in a positive feedback loop rather than a negative one that dampens the volatility and controls the output. Anyone who plays with op amps or amplifier circuits will know exactly how important is the dampening influence of monitoring the output and then controlling it when it gets out of a range.

A bit of modeling with economic, electrical, or game theoretic concepts like this would have helped to put many of the points in a more systematic form for me and would have led to many more testable hypotheses. And yet, Hayward is a Columbia PhD who collaborated on Harvard works, and professor of psychology at Colorado University, who has interviewed many of the actors in the case studies that he writes about. I find him particularly insightful. And I agree with his point that hubris is the key fault that leads to great disaster in striving individuals.

To his credit, Hayward realized that the mantra espoused by Collins in Good to Great, i.e., that the successful executive should be meek and humble and prudent at all times, is retrospective mumbo jumbo not suitable for the risks and leadership role successful executives must take in today's dynamic and uncertain world. The problem is how to differentiate the overconfidence that has a positive expectation, from the ones that will lead to disaster.

Suzanne Mulvehill really provides an in-depth, soul-searching, inventory for those who wish to strike out on their own. When you've finished with the exercises, you'll know who you want to be and be prepared to get there. Not only good for up-and-coming entrepreneurs, but a means to finding peace in the business world for any reader.

ME
Madison, Wisconsin, USA

I have read many books on how to make the transition into entrepreneurship and THIS BOOK WAS ALL I NEEDED. The author is down-to-earth and realistic. She uses "real person" examples and problems, things that entrepreneurs will relate to. The exercises allow you to see things differently about your life and dreams, more than any other book I have read. This book is excellent!

I bought this book back in late 2004 - when I realized I could no longer work for corporate america. I wrote down short/mid/long range goals and launched my entrepreneurial journey. This book has and still is a roadmap for dealing with the many emotional challenges I've experienced along the way. I launched my business in spring 2005 while working full-time and left corporate america in spring 2006. To this day, I still consult Suzanne's book for advice. I'm so sorry it took me this long to acknowlege this author's great book.

The bottom line: When I have a doubt (ie., a lingering, negative thought) about my business I go to the chapter dealing with the root of the thought. After reading the chapter and thinking through the excercise, I always feel grounded and positive when I put the book down. I thank God for Suzanne and her work in writing such a great book.

I've recommended this book to three other entrepreneurs this past week. All three are dealing with the same emotional challenges I faced my first year in business.

We all have a still small voice inside of us. But we must allow ourselves to get quiet enough to hear it. It's not easy when we are so busy. Sometimes we are so busy being busy in order to avoid our inner voice.

Suzanne Mulvehill encourages us to trust more than we want to.
Once we uncover our Passion (uniqueness), see our Vision (plan) and Focus persistently we will experience true success.

Employee to Entrepreneur is the only book I have found that assists you to transistion from your current reality into your true reality physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Letting life take care of you, Suzanne reminds us.

Thank you Suzanne for encouraging us to Trust and Obey!

The format of this book makes it very user friendly;
I feel that the spaces left for me to fill in create a one on one atmosphere.
I see where my strengths are and am now able to identify the
areas of myself for me to improve.
This book said Now to me.
Do It Now.
Be It Now.
If you ever wondered if you could or should, you can
with this book to guide you.
Read it now and you will be getting far more than a book.