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Fall Guy (The Rachel Alexander and Dash Mysteries)
by Carol Lea BenjaminA private detective and her dog investigate a cop&’s death in this &“page-turner&” that will have &“even die-hard mystery readers . . . guessing until the end&” (Publishers Weekly). Officer Timothy O&’Fallon&’s death may have been ruled an accident, but private investigator Rachel Alexander can&’t let the details of his case go. Allegedly, the cop was cleaning his service revolver when it misfired—but why did he name Alexander as the executor of his will? O&’Fallon was a stranger to her, a member of the 9/11 survivors group she went to with her pit bull Dashiell. Though he attended all the meetings, he never spoke a word. Outside of the single sentence O&’Fallon uttered to her one night after he&’d taken Dash for a walk around the block—returning the dog with his fur soaked in tears—Rachel knows nothing about him. Now she&’s calling the siblings he didn&’t trust enough to settle his affairs to tell them the news of his sudden passing. And the more she searches through the details of his lonely life, prowling the corners of the Greenwich Village neighborhood they once shared, the more of a mystery he becomes. Was his death a suicide? Or something more sinister? As Rachel sets about her work, she soon discovers the secrets in O&’Fallon&’s past that led to his tragic end. . . . &“One of the best private eye series around.&” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Fool Me Once &“Benjamin&’s work [is] first rate.&” —The Plain Dealer
Without a Word (The Rachel Alexander and Dash Mysteries)
by Carol Lea Benjamin&“[A] heartfelt . . . complex portrait of a severely damaged child and her emotionally cut-off father&” and the PI and her service dog who sign on to save them (Publishers Weekly). A missing mother. A child made mute by the trauma. A distraught father willing to do anything to help his daughter. It&’s the kind of case private investigator Rachel Alexandra can&’t walk away from—even though finding the girl&’s mother seems hopeless. Sally Spector disappeared five years ago without a trace. But with young Madison now accused of murdering the neurologist who was managing her care, her father is desperate to find the key to unlocking Madison&’s silence. Drawn to the troubled girl, how can Rachel refuse? Along with her pit bull Dashiell, Rachel starts putting together what clues she can find. What she uncovers is a case more complex and disturbing than she ever imagined. Suddenly Rachel understands that there are problems in this world some might be willing to die for—or kill for. &“Benjamin captures the mood of New York City effectively. . . . An entertaining series for anyone who loves female sleuths, New York, or pit bulls.&” —Booklist Praise for the Rachel Alexander and Dash Mysteries &“One of the best private eye series around.&” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Fool Me Once &“Rachel Alexander is someone who holds your interest and makes you keep turning the pages.&” —Nevada Barr, New York Times–bestselling author of Flashback &“Benjamin&’s work [is] first rate.&” —The Plain Dealer
The Social Labs Revolution: A New Approach to Solving our Most Complex Challenges
by Zaid HassanCurrent responses to our most pressing societal challenges—from poverty to ethnic conflict to climate change—are not working. These problems are incredibly dynamic and complex, involving an ever-shifting array of factors, actors, and circumstances. They demand a highly fluid and adaptive approach, yet we address them by devising fixed, long-term plans. Social labs, says Zaid Hassan, are a dramatically more effective response. Social labs bring together a diverse a group of stakeholders—not to create yet another five-year plan but to develop a portfolio of prototype solutions, test those solutions in the real world, use the data to further refine them, and test them again. Hassan builds on a decade of experience—as well as drawing from cutting-edge research in complexity science, networking theory, and sociology—to explain the core principles and daily functioning of social labs, using examples of pioneering labs from around the world. He offers a new generation of problem solvers an effective, practical, and exciting new vision and guide.
The Transforming Leader: New Approaches to Leadership for the Twenty-First Century
by Carol S. PearsonNo organizational leaders can succeed in today’s fast evolving and highly connected world on their own. To succeed, today’s leaders must not only optimize all their own faculties—mental sharpness, emotional depth, imagination, and creativity—but also utilize the full capacities of those around them in a collaborative and creative manner. The prestigious contributors to this volume draw on psychology, sociology, neuroscience, social networking theory, organizational change theory, myths and traditions, and actual experiences to discover how leaders today achieve transformational results. The Transforming Leader offers an overview of what transformational leadership is, how it works, and how it is evolving. In doing so it reframes the challenge of leading in today’s interdependent, unpredictable world.
The Art of the Board: Fun & Fancy Snack Boards, Recipes & Ideas for Entertaining All Year
by Olivia CarneyWith over 75 seasonally inspired, approachable snack boards, recipes, and cocktails, The Art of the Board has all you need for fun, stress-free entertaining year-round. Packed with tips, tricks, and ideas, you’ll be inspired to whip up your next snack board masterpiece—whether it’s creatively plating your Thanksgiving leftovers to impress your family or wowing your friends with your knowledge of fancy cheese and charcuterie. Not sure where to start? No problem! The in-depth introduction walks you through equipment and ingredients, and the Hopeless Hostess Appendix covers everything from Board Care 101 to step-by-step explanations and photographs that show how to bring your skills to the next level. There’s even helpful suggestions to make your cheese plates travel-friendly so you never arrive empty-handed. And since each board is labeled with difficulty level, approximate cost, and dietary accommodations, you’ll always find a showstopper to fit your lifestyle and budget.
I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World
by Justin Jones-FosuStart building bridges instead of barriers! This essential guide offers a simple 5-part framework that will help you have honest and enlightening conversations despite deep and fundamental disagreements.Divisions are on the rise around the world, and 2024 may well be a peak year. We're losing the ability to disagree without dehumanizing. There is a deep need for this practical and accessible guide to having challenging conversations in any situation, from the workplace to the classroom to the dinner table.It's not about saying the right words at the right time but something vastly deeper. In this book, you'll discover the 5 pillars of respectfully disagreeing: Challenge your perspective Be the student Cultivate your curiosity Seek the gray Agree to respectBut this is not a weighty tome. Each chapter features a cartoon, and Justin Jones-Fosu tackles this serious subject with a playful and compassionate tone. For example, he writes I have become more and more intentional in my desire to respectfully disagree with others (except those who think putting ketchup on eggs is wrongthere is no hope for respect there).With a wide range of examples and exercises throughout, this is a timely and reader-friendly handbook to disagreeing with someone's ideology while passionately pursuing their humanity.
The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone's Gain
by Joe DavisAn innovative and insightful 7-part guide to heartfelt and collaborative actions that transform the reader into a generous leader.Leading successfully in a world full of disruption means building more than technical skills. Yes, you must deliver results, but to run a successful business you need people-and people today want leaders who can and will work to see beyond themselves and only the bottom line-you must learn to lead with your heart. Being vulnerable with your staff is intimidating, but when connecting with people not only will you grow as a leader and a person, but your business will grow as well.Bringing your authentic self to your leadership takes courage and commitment, but you reap profound benefits from heart-led generous acts. This book presents 7 ways to give of yourself for everyone's gain: 1. Generous Communication: Be real to build deep connections2. Generous Listening: Be sincerely curious about another's perspective3. Generous Inclusion: Be inclusive to invite collaboration and show respect4. The Generous Ally: Take chances to make chances for others5. Generous Development: Validate strengths and success, identify expansive opportunities6. Generous Moments: Make small acts of acknowledgment in important moments to make a big impact7. Give up the Mask: Be emotionally accessible with authenticity and vulnerabilityThrough unvarnished and unforgettable stories, the author and CEOs of well-recognized companies reveal experiences and mistakes that informed their success and share actions that make the shift to more heart less scary, more satisfying and incredible personal.As you build your skills with the guidance from this trusted reference, success will spread from your generosity to the people you work with, to your organization, to your own career and even society. There is no more powerful leader than a generous leader.
You Belong Here: The Power of Being Seen, Heard, and Valued on Your Own Terms
by Kim DabbsIn a world overcrowded with labels, don't allow your identity to be defined by other people. Learn how to take back your power, choose to feed the aspects of your identity that serve you, and let go of those that don't.Everyone feels like an outsider at some point in their life-when we walk into a room and think to ourselves, I don't belong here. To avoid these feelings of exclusion, many of us hide our authentic selves and allow others to define our identity.You Belong Here offers a new framework that allows each of us to define how we want to be seen, heard, and valued on our own terms so we feel a sense of belonging in any situation. Further, it serves as a launchpad for organizational leaders and culture builders to create safe spaces for individuals to show up as their authentic selves.Readers will explore our four identities:Our Lived Identity is made up of the aspects of our identity we inherit when we are born into the world.Our Learned Identity includes the parts of our identity that we've chosen or claimed as we make our way through the world.Our Lingering Identity is the identity we default to when we feel like an outsider and fall back into as a survival mechanism.Our Loved Identity is where we find our authentic selves and see ourselves through a lens of empowerment.In the journey to understand our past experiences and how society has established barriers to entry, we can design our own future, rooted in our Loved Identity. We learn to rewrite the stories that aren't serving us and embrace the ones that do. Rather than look for a seat at someone else's table, we find the tools to build our own. When we fully leverage this and live with authenticity and purpose, we can be seen, heard, and valued in a way that gives us a sense of belonging at home, at work, and in society. Belonging is realized when we understand everyone is an outsider and it's the power to create space for those differences that unite us all.
Rebalancing Society: Radical Renewal Beyond Left, Right, and Center
by Henry MintzbergEnough of the imbalance that is causing the degradation of our environment, the demise of our democracies, and the denigration of ourselves. Enough of the pendulum politics of left and right and paralysis in the political center. We require an unprecedented form of radical renewal. In this book Henry Mintzberg offers a new understanding of the root of our current crisis and a strategy for restoring the balance so vital to the survival of our progeny and our planet.With the collapse of the communist regimes of Eastern Europe, Western pundits declared that capitalism had triumphed. They were wrong—balance triumphed. A healthy society balances a public sector of respected governments, a private sector of responsible businesses, and a plural sector of robust communities. Communism collapsed under the weight of its overbearing public sector. Now the “liberal democracies” are threatened—socially, politically, even economically—by the unchecked excesses of the private sector.Radical renewal will have to begin in the plural sector, which alone has the inclination and the independence to challenge unacceptable practices and develop better ones. Too many governments have been co-opted by the private sector. And corporate social responsibility can't compensate for the corporate social irresponsibility we see around us “They” won't do it. We shall have to do it, each of us and all of us, not as passive “human resources,” but as resourceful human beings.Tom Paine wrote in 1776, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” He was right then. Can we be right again now? Can we afford not to be?
With Liberty and Dividends for All: How to Save Our Middle Class When Jobs Don't Pay Enough
by Peter BarnesPeter Barnes argues that because of globalization, automation, and winner-take-all capitalism, there won’t be enough high-paying jobs to sustain America’s middle class in the future. Therefore, to survive economically, our middle class needs—and deserves—a supplementary source of nonlabor income.To meet this need, Barnes proposes to give every American a share of the wealth we own together— starting with our air and financial infrastructure. These shares would pay dividends of several thousand dollars per year—money that wouldn’t be welfare or wealth redistribution but legitimate property income.
Work Pause Thrive: How to Pause for Parenthood Without Killing Your Career
by Lisen StrombergWe worry putting our family first means we'll be forced to abandon our careers. We're afraid if we pause our careers, we'll be forever off-track. This thinking is outdated—forget what you've heard about how pauses are career limiting, about how those who pause lack ambition, or that if you do pause you won't be able to re-enter the paid workforce. That's a flawed reality, one that doesn't reflect the truth of the careers of some of the most successful women in this country. Author Lisen Stromberg knows this success firsthand. After the birth of her second child, she did something she never imagined she would do: she opted out to focus on her family. But her career didn't end there. Lisen paused then pivoted to become first a social entrepreneur and then an award-winning journalist writing about women, work, and life in Silicon Valley. Along the way, she learned she wasn't alone. Lisen met many highly successful women who told her they never "opted out" but who had, in fact, temporarily downshifted or paused their careers. Their hidden journeys revealed alternative nonlinear paths to the top that enabled them to achieve their personal and professional goals. In Work PAUSE Thrive, Lisen shares their stories. Deeply rooted in social science research, cutting-edge data collected from nearly 1,500 women, and through 186 first-person interviews, this book reveals how trailblazing women have disrupted the traditional career paradigm. What worked for them can work for you. In this book, you'll learn: Who pauses, how they do it, and why How pausing can enrich both your career and your life How to innovate your own nonlinear career path What we can—and need—to do as a society to make it possible for more people to achieve their personal and professional goals Work PAUSE Thrive also reveals new and exciting trends in the workplace and offers targeted solutions for companies to help ensure they have cultures that will enable you to lead the life you want, a life in which you can build both a career and a family, and ultimately your own version of a life well lived.
Shine: How Looking Inward Is the Key to Unlocking True Entrepreneurial Freedom
by Gino Wickman Rob DubeIt is possible to be a driven entrepreneur and have inner peace. With 10 simple disciplines, this guide will help you make a bigger impact while increasing your freedom and creativity. Entrepreneurs often have a burning need to succeed. But that same relentless brilliance that propels you in your career can take a toll on your teams, personal relationships, and even your health. Gino Wickman, bestselling author of Traction, teams up with mindfulness expert Rob Dube to help readers strike a crucial balance between those inner and outer worlds while taking your success to new heights. In Shine, they share 10 disciplines to help you stay sharp and energetic without burning out. You&’ll learn to: Set boundaries in your work life (without compromising productivity) that allow you to become a better leader and better person Practicable sustainable ways to reset your energy and recognize burnout and stress before they happen Tap into a flow state to harness unbridled creativity, think clearly, and move through your career and life with ease With a self-assessment survey, a rich resource guide, and prompts for reflection at the end of every chapter, Shine is a groundbreaking approach to work–life balance and peace of mind.
Making It Happen: Turning Good Ideas Into Great Results
by Peter SheahanThe world is not short of ideas, but it is short of people who know how to carry them out. "Making It Happen" unravels the process of taking a good idea and turning it into a successful venture. Author Peter Sheahan guides the reader through the five competencies that will enable you to understand and utilize the forces that drive buyers' behavior, break through mental barriers and effectively position your offer in the market. Whether you are looking to start a business, get promoted or launch a social movement, this book will streamline your thinking so you can finally turn your good ideas into great results. Peter Sheahan has a reputation for making it happen fast. By 30, he had established two international multimillion-dollar consulting practices and authored five books, including the bestsellers "Generation Y" and "Fl!p." Let him share with you the strategies that make Google, BMW and Goldman Sachs his clients.
The King of Con: How a Smooth-Talking Jersey Boy Made and Lost Billions, Baffled the FBI, Eluded the Mob, and Lived to Tell the Crooked Tale
by Thomas GiacomaroA Jersey boy with a knack for numbers, a gift for making people trust him, and an all-consuming hunger to rule the business world, Tom Giacomaro could convince anyone of anything. As a teenager, Tom Giacomaro began working in the mob-laden New Jersey trucking industry. A charming, brash-talking salesman with a genius-level IQ, he climbed the ranks and let his lust for money and relationships with New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago crime families send him spiraling into a world of drugs and violence. And that's only the beginning. In The King of Con, Tom details how he hashes out a deal with the FBI, agreeing to become a crime informant in an effort to avoid jail time—only, he continues his high-finance, white-collar scheming, luring celebrities and other high-profile contacts to invest multimillions in his new business ventures. When it all comes crashing down, Tom is thrown in prison for over a decade, yet, even behind bars, he's able to get what he wants from anyone . . . and he eventually finds a way to get released early. Cowritten by journalist Natasha Stoynoff, The King of Con is the unforgettable true story about a man who became hooked on living life to thrilling and dangerous excess, until he was humbled by the FBI, by the US Attorney, and by life itself. Now, Tom is back in his old New Jersey neighborhood. His old business cronies and mob contacts are calling, his palms are itching to make billions again, and the US Attorney's office is watching. Will he stay on the straight and narrow, or will he steal back his crown of crime as the King of Con?
The Book of Karen: Activities for Reactionary Adults
by Karen K. KlarenMazes Activities Games And more . . . ! Karen and Kevin demand a lot these days. From speaking to a manager to seeing birth certificates to requiring permits to sell lemonade, there's no 911 call they won't make, no social norm nor grace today's put-upon white person won't upend, in an effort to exercise and maintain their privilege. The Book of Karen: An Activity Book for Reactionary Adults demands only one thing: you laugh at them. Filled with the kinds of stickers, brain teasers, word searches, crossword puzzles, riddles, connect-the-dots, crafts, fill-in-the-blanks, and prompts found in any traditional adult activity book, The Book of Karen subverts and parodies the genre by highlighting the horrible behaviors of the entitled women and men whose videoed and memed behaviors would be comical were they not so condemnable. As much an activity book as as it is as call to action, The Book of Karen contains a comprehensive and useful list of anti-Karen nonprofits, especially those focusing on social justice, voting rights, pay equity, LGBTQIA rights, immigration, hunger and food instability, disability services, and victim's rights to raise awareness and for readers to support, learn more about, and work with to fight the status quo. A portion of the proceeds from The Book of Karen will directly go to benefit The Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit committee working to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment, challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting the basic human rights for the most vulnerable Americans.
Only the Crazy and Fearless Win BIG!: The Surprising Secrets to Success in Business and in Life
by Arthur Wylie Brian NicolFollowing the pack and doing what you are told may get you a job and even a promotion, but it won't lead to real success. Entrepreneur Arthur Wylie, who made his first million by 26, has conquered the worlds of finance, real estate, and entertainment with more than $50 million in deals brokered and almost half a billion in assets and transactions under management. He has several subsidiaries that have diversified into film development, consulting, venture capital, speaking engagements, celebrity events, book publishing, technology, philanthropy, and real estate ventures internationally. In Only the Crazy and Fearless Win BIG!, he shares a little secret that few books discuss—to win big you have to be fearless and, sometimes, even a little crazy. Wylie outlines real-world examples from some of history and present-day's most well-known names and everyday entrepreneurs in every industry, profession, and segment of the economy. Only the Crazy and Fearless Win BIG! shows how their decisions raised eyebrows, dropped jaws, and met resistance—yet proved to be right. A few crazy and fearless decisions that led to victory and success, to fame and respect: Dominate with Class: Mexican Billionaire and world's richest man, Carlos Slim, shows how to dominate a market to empower others Being Fearless: CEO Steve Jobs is fired from Apple Passion: Sara Blakely used what she hated to become successful in an untapped market People Power: Henry Ford pays his workers double the industry average Relentless: Richard Branson pushes through obstacles and makes billions How Crazy: Intern-now-CEO Sean Combs's $300 Million Clothing line beats out his entertainment business Through Wylie's experience and guidance, he weaves together the lessons of these stories and more to share what it means to your life, wealth, career and business.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Clone Club: Bioethics and Philosophy in Orphan Black
by Gregory E. PenceWhat is the real-world history and science of human cloning, and does Orphan Black get it right? Can you "own" a person—even a cloned one? How can Sarah Manning be straight, Cosima gay, and Tony trans? Cult hit sci-fi show Orphan Black doesn't just entertain—it also raises fascinating questions about human cloning, its ethics, and its impact on personal identity. In What We Talk About When We Talk About Clone Club: Bioethics and Philosophy in Orphan Black, prominent bioethicist Gregory E. Pence violates Clone Club's first rule to take us deeper into the show and its connections to the real world, including: Widespread myths about human clones (and Orphan Black's rejection of them) Our ugly history of eugenics The ethics of human experimentation, by way of Projects Castor and Leda What we can learn about clones and identity from twin studies and tensions among Orphan Black's clone "sisters" Kendall Malone and other genetic anomalies The brave new world of genetic enhancement and clonal dynasties, and how Helena and Kira Manning fit in In the process, What We Talk About When We Talk About Clone Club reveals why Orphan Black is some of today's most engaging and thought-provoking television.
Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries
by Rick Emerson"Unmask Alice by Rick Emerson goes a long way to showing what investigative journalism could be in the right hands . . . this book is undeniably buzzworthy." —Portland Book Review "An absorbing and unnerving read . . . this book demands to be finished in one sitting." —Booklist Two teens. Two diaries. Two social panics. One incredible fraud. In 1971, Go Ask Alice reinvented the young adult genre with a blistering portrayal of sex, psychosis, and teenage self-destruction. The supposed diary of a middle-class addict, Go Ask Alice terrified adults and cemented LSD's fearsome reputation, fueling support for the War on Drugs. Five million copies later, Go Ask Alice remains a divisive bestseller, outraging censors and earning new fans, all of them drawn by the book's mythic premise: A Real Diary, by Anonymous. But Alice was only the beginning. In 1979, another diary rattled the culture, setting the stage for a national meltdown. The posthumous memoir of an alleged teenage Satanist, Jay's Journal merged with a frightening new crisis—adolescent suicide—to create a literal witch hunt, shattering countless lives and poisoning whole communities. In reality, Go Ask Alice and Jay's Journal came from the same dark place: Beatrice Sparks, a serial con artist who betrayed a grieving family, stole a dead boy's memory, and lied her way to the National Book Awards. Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries is a true story of contagious deception. It stretches from Hollywood to Quantico, and passes through a tiny patch of Utah nicknamed "the fraud capital of America." It's the story of a doomed romance and a vengeful celebrity. Of a lazy press and a public mob. Of two suicidal teenagers, and their exploitation by a literary vampire. Unmask Alice . . . where truth is stranger than nonfiction.
Inside Joss' Dollhouse: From Alpha to Rossum
by Jane EspensonThough Joss Whedon's television show Dollhouse ended in January 2010 after its second season, its small but devoted cult following is still reeling from not only from its mind-blowing plot twists but also its challenging, dystopic look at the ethics of new technology. Inside Joss' Dollhouse is a fitting tribute to this complex, engaging show. The anthology's 18 sometimes funny, always insightful pieces cover Dollhouse from anticipated start to explosive finish. Drawn from an international contest judged by fan favorite Whedon screenwriter Jane Espenson, its essays get right to heart of what Dollhouse viewers loved most about the show. Espenson also acts as the book's editor, offering context and extra insight on its topics and the show—a role she played in previous anthologies Finding Serenity and Serenity Found, also on Joss Whedon creations. From programmer Topher's amorality to the accuracy of the show's neurobiology, Inside Joss' Dollhouse brings Dollhouse back to life with a depth sure to satisfy its many still-mourning fans.
Simply Electrifying: The Technology that Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk
by Craig R. RoachSelected for J.P. Morgan's 2018 Holiday Reading List Imagine your life without the internet. Without phones. Without television. Without sprawling cities. Without the freedom to continue working and playing after the sun goes down. Electricity is at the core of all modern life. It has transformed our society more than any other technology. Yet, no book offers a comprehensive history about this technological marvel. Until now. Simply Electrifying: The Technology that Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk brings to life the 250-year history of electricity through the stories of the men and women who used it to transform our world: Benjamin Franklin, James Watt, Michael Faraday, Samuel F.B. Morse, Thomas Edison, Samuel Insull, Albert Einstein, Rachel Carson, Elon Musk, and more. In the process, it reveals for the first time the complete, thrilling, and often-dangerous story of electricity's historic discovery, development, and worldwide application. Electricity plays a fundamental role not only in our everyday lives but in history's most pivotal events, from global climate change and the push for wind- and solar-generated electricity to Japan's nuclear accident at Fukushima and Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Written by electricity expert and four-decade veteran of the industry Craig R. Roach, Simply Electrifying marshals, in fascinating narrative detail, the full range of factors that shaped the electricity business over time—science, technology, law, politics, government regulation, economics, business strategy, and culture—before looking forward toward the exhilarating prospects for electricity generation and use that will shape our future.
Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly.
by Taylor ScottAcross all industries and levels of organizations, one key leadership trait inspires and motivates more than any other: hospitality. We have all encountered inspirational leaders who've helped us, taught us, encouraged us, pushed us to get outside our comfort zones, or motivated us to become the best version of ourselves. What is it about their leadership styles that inspires us to do more for our team and our personal and professional growth? Turns out, we admire these leaders for the same reasons we love our favorite hotels, resorts, restaurants, or bars: How they make us feel is essential. Members of today's workforce—especially millennials and Gen Z—are looking for inspiring environments and work that truly fulfills them. Before anyone is compelled to do anything they first must feel. Speaker, consultant, and hospitality industry veteran Taylor Scott knows that the most effective leaders approach their roles with heart, emotionally connecting with their team members before attempting to manage them. Scott draws from his two decades in leadership roles at respected hotels, resorts, and restaurants. He distills the principles of gracious hospitality, translating them into actionable leadership lessons which apply in any industry, such as: How making people feel welcome fosters loyalty and keeps workers engaged with an organization's purpose How serving people with empathy and compassion sparks workers' highest productivity How making people feel comfortable encourages exploration, curiosity, and discovery while inviting everyone to lean into their creativity How making people feel significant drives them to deliver their best work He also shares specific, practical steps you can take to put these principles into action. Scott shows how to connect, serve, engage, coach, and inspire your peers, teams, and even your own leaders. Lead with Hospitality is a call to action to connect with people on a human level which ultimately inspires teams, organizations, and companies to go to the next level.
Quit Drifting, Lift the Fog, and Get Lucky: How to Become the Person You Want to Be
by David CottrellFrom the bestselling author of Monday Morning Leadership, this "little book full of big learnings" provides wisdom and a practical framework to help you become your very best. Imagine how it would feel to greet each day enthusiastic about your work and your life, with renewed energy and optimism, at peace with yourself and those around you. What would it take to get there, rather than just "getting by"? In How to Quit Drifting, Lift the Fog, and Get Lucky, leadership authority David Cottrell tells the story of Jack Davis, a hard worker who had thrived early in his career, but finds himself unmotivated, dissatisfied, and unfulfilled. He wants more for himself and his family—but he doesn't know how to get it. Through Jack's meetings with two successful mentors, Cottrell illustrates unique perspectives on achieving success and happiness that anyone can use to improve morale, productivity, and satisfaction at work and in life. This simple yet profound novelette, written to be read in one sitting, provides practical tools and inspiration to help you on your own path to success. Enjoy the journey!
Straight Talk: Influence Skills for Collaboration and Commitment
by Rick BrandonThe costs of faulty communication are enormous for companies. Each year, billions of dollars are lost, precious time is wasted, innovation is thwarted, and morale suffers. But sharpening influence skills can address these challenges and create huge payoffs. Collaborative and commitment-driven interaction is the key to overcoming the obstacles of ever-rising performance expectations, widespread stress, and remote work. Drawing from 35 years of performance-improvement experience, Rick Brandon, PhD, trains thousands of people to improve their results and work relationships by improving the clarity and persuasiveness of their communication. Straight Talk is his &“edu-taining&” workshop-in-a-book for anyone who wants to develop direct, empathetic, and positive communication skills that will benefit themselves, their teammates, and their companies. It&’s common sense but not always common practice to work on improving interpersonal skills in order to achieve accountability and a more productive and harmonious work climate. Straight Talk shows how thoughtful changes to communication can create a ripple effect across teams and organizations. Each chapter is packed with practical tips, simple how-to instruction, real-world examples, involvement exercises, and humor, to help readers build positive influence skills with competence and confidence. Straight Talk hones core Assertive Speaking and Empathic Listening skills, and then funnels them into step-by-step formats for six vital workplace situations: Gaining Commitments, Advising and Guiding, Recognizing, Reminding, Constructively Confronting, and Challenging Ideas. Straight Talk will empower you to make interpersonal expertise your competitive advantage.
Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally
by Bob Zmuda Lynne MarguliesFor the first time ever, the two people who knew Andy Kaufman best open up about the most enigmatic artist of our generation. Comedian and Taxi star Andy Kaufman, known for his crazy antics on screen and off, was the ultimate prankster, delighting audiences with his Elvis and Mighty Mouse impressions while also antagonizing them with his wrestling and lounge-lizard alter ego, Tony Clifton. Some say he died in 1984, while others believe he performed the ultimate vanishing act. In Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally, Bob Zmuda, Andy's writer and best friend, and Lynn Margulies, the love of Andy's life, reveal all—including surprising secrets that Andy made Lynne and Bob promise never to tell until both of his parents had died. Hilarious and poignant, this book separates fact from fiction, and includes a candid inside look at the Milos Forman film Man on the Moon, which Zmuda coexecutive produced and featured Jim Carrey as Andy, Paul Giamatti as Zmuda, Courtney Love as Margulies, and Danny DeVito as Andy's manager, George Shapiro. Finally, Bob Zmuda shares in detail the reasons he believes Andy Kaufman did, in fact, fake his own death, including exactly how he did it and why he will return.
Deathbeast
by David GerroldSix hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime. Their destination? Earth as it was a hundred million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme. Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men—and men out to test and prove their manhood. But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them.