Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

WARNING: Reading this book may change you.

Sometimes you read a book that explains what you should do or think, sometimes you read a story and it touches your heart, but it's a rare book that weaves these together in such a way as to have this sort of impact.

Using the book of Acts as a foundation, Max Lucado blends in stories of compassion, surprises, and promise that bring Acts to life in 2010. Then, when he has you almost convinced, he brings out the 'big guns' of challenge, scripture, and prayer - leaving you convinced that you need to act - and well equipped. Lastly, just in case you are having trouble getting started, there is a guide - not a study guide - a discussion and action guide.

If this excites you, read the book. If it scares you DEFINITELY read the book. In any case, I encourage all of us to act.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Right to Lead by John Maxwell

I'm sure many leaders have read leadership books.  I know I have.  In fact, we read, notate, study - we work at understanding the concepts, figuring them out, determining how they apply, and what we can do.

This book will give you something of a break - not from learning and improving, but from the amount of work involved.

I his book The Right to Lead, John Maxwell has created a very practical guide to leadership.  He provides 7 core principles, and delivers them in a way that will be immediately understandable and actionable.  He relies on stories quotes from people we've heard about,  and illustrates these principles.  No heavy theory, no deep philosophy, just clarity.

I'd also add that this is not just your typical business leadership book - it can apply to parents leading their children as well as a CEO driving a multi-billion dollar enterprise.

I would heartily recommend this book to anyone that recognizes their need to develop as a leader.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com (http://BookSneeze.com) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html) : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Obstacles Welcome by Ralph de la Vega

I'm something of a geek(or so I'm told by family and friends), so getting insight into the leadership principles of Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, was very appealing.

The core principle is that the obstacles and challenges in our lives are the things that define us and develop us. Ralph de la Vega presents a couple of structures that he uses to guide the reader through this principle. First, there are his "6 pivotal point", the key events in his life. Then, the "Pillars of Success", his framework for achievement.


The flow of the books weaves the stories of these 'pivotal points' with the 'pillars of success' to show the reader how to accept challenges, respond to them, and come out of them better, smarter... more successful. To assist the reader, the author ends each chapter with "Takeaway Points", summarizing the key lessons addressed.De la Vega's approach is, to a large degree, textbook-like. In addition to these chapter summaries, he uses a number of diagrams to explain key concepts including his Pillars of Success, the Learning Cycle, his Pyramid of Principles, and others.

I would recommend this book to people trying to develop their ability to lead in a challenging business world. It encourages the reader to base their leadership on sound moral principles, and a positive attitude toward the opportunities offered by obstacles.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I'm moving too slow

Since I started the book, we've moved and the book was missing in the shuffle for a while...

But be not dismayed! It's found.

Now I need to get back on track reading it.

Please stay tuned