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

The Next Book - Obstacles Welcome by Ralph de la Vega

Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, shares the lessons learned in business and in life along the journey from Cuba to Corporate America.

Link to additional information on the publisher's site: Click Here  

The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield

I was immediately captured by the simple, but striking, cover.  A pint of Guinness, back-lit by a heavenly glow.

It was no coincidence. This book indeed reveals the heavenly glow of the Guinness family.

In the prologue, I was drawn in by Mansfield's account of an encounter where he concisely shared the Guinness family story. He went beyond the history into describing how theGuinnesses went beyond brewing beer to serving their employees, and the community with a Christ-like heart.  Further, many became ministers, missionaries, and government leaders that made a significant, Godly, positive difference.

Mansfield approached the book as a historian, using a variety of sources, garnished by anecdotes that season the history lesson with intimate insight and excitement. He provided an excellent foundation including: beer history, economic and political pressures, and interesting (potentially little known) facts.

I did not realize that the 'beer' Guinness and the 'world record' Guinness were the same family!

I would recommend this book, to history lovers and beer drinkers alike. While thorough and well developed, it reads like a good history book more than an exciting epic.

Info about The Search for God and Guinness

Book Description from the Publisher: Thomas Nelson - LINK


The history of Guinness, one of the world’s most famous brands, reveals the noble heights and crushing descents of a great family and an innovative business.

It began in Ireland in the late 1700’s. The water in Ireland, indeed throughout Europe, was famously undrinkable, and the gin and whiskey that took its place was devastating civil society. It was a disease ridden, starvation plagued, alcoholic age, and Christians like Arthur Guinness—as well as monks and even evangelical churches—brewed beer to offer a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. This is where the Guinness tale began. Now, 246 years and 150 countries later, Guinness is a global brand, one of the most consumed beverages in the world. The tale that unfolds during those two and a half centuries has power to thrill audiences today: the generational drama, business adventure, industrial and social reforms, deep-felt faith, and the beer itself.

Next: The Search for God and Guinness

I just couldn't NOT review this - the linkage is surprising (I've just read the cover)...more soon