Pails in Comparison

A Failure of Nerve in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Leadership Planner

PIC No. 51: 
• Title: A Failure of Nerve in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Leadership Planner
• Author: based on the book by Edwin H. Friedman
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (Sept. 5, 2023, 224 pages)
• Management Bucket #8 of 20: The Culture Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 51 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Leadership Stuck in a Rut!

Since I review books, friends and colleagues often pass along book recommendations. I usually add them to my Amazon wish list. Then—after several people recommend the same book—the book moves up higher on my priority list.

Thus is the case with the classic and bestselling book by Edwin H. Friedman, A Failure of Nerve, Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix (2017 revised edition). But please note: I have NOT read this yet (but I will!).

When my friend, David Curry, mentioned this book (probably for the nth time!), I finally went online and discovered that a unique “yearlong leadership planner” was just published this month. I bought it and my plan is to read one chapter every Monday for the next 52 Mondays. I love the format for: 

A Failure of Nerve in 52 Weeks:
A Yearlong Leadership Planner
based on the bestselling book by Edwin H. Friedman

In the “How to Use This Book” introduction, the editors write, “Each week focuses on a core tenant from Edwin H. Friedman's A Failure of Nerve, Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix. Brief excerpts of his wisdom are paired with either:
   • True/False questions to test your comprehension or highlight an aspect of your leadership style
   • Scales to gauge the severity of a situation or belief
   • Word matrices to emphasize concepts and test memory
   • Reflection questions to stimulate self-analysis and promote future planning."

“True leadership doesn’t develop overnight,” so the editors have crafted this very unique 52-week journey through the writings and mind of Edwin H. Friedman (1932-1996), who was an ordained rabbi and practicing family therapist.

Check out his books and you’ll find high praise, especially for A Failure of Nerve. The Anglican Theological Review wrote, “Placed on the scales with every other book on leadership in the last ten years…it would outweigh them all.” Some snippets from the leadership planner:

WEEK 1: “Whenever a ‘family’ (or system) is driven by anxiety, what will also always be present is a failure of nerve among its leaders.”

“Leadership in America is stuck in the rut of trying harder and harder without obtaining significantly new results.”

WEEK 2: “This book will encourage leaders to focus first on their own integrity and on the nature of their own presence rather than on techniques for manipulating or motivating others. Leadership is essentially an emotional process rather than a cognitive phenomenon.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “Chronic criticism is often a sign that the leader is functioning better.”

WEEK 3: On the topic of “Imaginative Gridlock,” the weekly reflection question asks, “are there areas of your life or work that never seem to improve in proportion with the effort you put into them? Choose one, then take a step back. Beyond data and logic, what underlying emotions or emotional processes are at play?”

WEEK 4 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “Contemporary American civilization is as misoriented about the environment of relationships as the medieval world was misoriented about the Earth and the sky.”

LOL! I did a sneak peek at Week 13 and found this: “The number of books being written today on management far exceeds the number of managers.” Yikes! Friedman warns leaders about using the “pursuit of information” as a means of “an easy escape from having to deal with society's chronic anxiety as well as with their own personal being.”

David Curry has introduced me to numerous books over the years, including the historical works of Paul Johnson. I’m grateful. Ask me in a year (after my 52 Monday morning meditations) if this book turned out to be David’s best recommendation ever. I’m leaning to “yes.”

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Culture Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] A Year With Peter Drucker: 52 Weeks of Coaching for Leadership Effectiveness, by Joseph A. Maciariello (Read my review.)

[  ] BONUS! Read the 52 guest blogs for “Drucker Mondays,” from 2015, including David Curry's color commentary on “Make The Important Rather Than The Urgent Your Priority In Life.”

[  ] The Top 10 Leadership Conversations in the Bible: Practical Insights From Extensive Research on Over 1,000 Biblical Leaders, by Steve Moore (Read my review.)

[  ] Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups (2005 Revised Edition) - (Read my review.)

[  ] (Note: The Original Book) A Failure of Nerve, Revised Edition: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix (2017), by Edwin H. Friedman – Order from Amazon.

To order from Amazon, click on the title for A Failure of Nerve in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Leadership Planner (Sept. 2023), based on the book by Edwin H. Friedman. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Managing Our Work

PIC No. 50: 
• Title: Managing Our Work
• Author: John W. Alexander
• Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press, 1969 (Revised Edition, 1975, 104 pages)
• Management Bucket #1 of 20: The Results Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 50 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Overcoming the Reluctance to Plan

“Yikes!”

That was my shocked response to the realization today that while I have reviewed well over 600 books in my two blogs, I had not yet reviewed the first management book I ever read. (If the author were still alive today—I would write him a letter of apology! Yikes!)

Managing Our Work was first published as a training document for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. John W. Alexander (1918-2002) was IVCF’s president from 1964 to 1981. No stranger to leadership and management issues, Dr. Alexander (“Dr. A.”) had previously served as chair of the Geography Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Today, gratefully, leadership and management competencies are alive and well in many churches and nonprofit ministries. But in the early 1970s—not so much. So Alexander wrote Managing Our Work from a theological and Biblical perspective that declares, “God is the master planner.”

He builds the case around three major components of management: Planning, Execution, and Review. The book is short (so IVCF staff would read it!), but don’t let the brevity fool you—it’s foundational and substantial.

So…how do leaders inspire team members who have a reluctance to plan? Alexander writes:

“Some Christians believe that planning is worldly and that we simply should let the Holy Spirit guide without trying to plan in advance. Doubtless there are some Christians who face only two alternatives: either carnal planning or unplanned, Spirit-guided action. In such a situation the choice should surely be the latter.

“But such attitudes prejudge all planning as being carnal and ignore the validity of a third option: Spirit-guided planning. Let each be fully persuaded in his own mind, but let the spiritual nonplanner be careful lest he judge the planner as being necessarily carnal. The notion that plans will deny the Holy Spirit freedom to act ignores a major premise of this book, namely, God is the master planner. His plan was laid out before time began (1 Pet. 1:20, Eph. 1:9-12).

"The Holy Spirit is both a long-range and short-range planner. We limit him when we assume he operates only on spur-of-the moment caprice. He has a plan for each life. He has a plan for each group to which we belong. It is our privilege to ask his guidance in setting objectives, goals and standards in harmony with his plan. It is poor stewardship of time and energy to commence a year, week or day without endeavoring to plan as he directs. Once the specific plan is formulated, we execute it ever mindful that if he chooses to overrule, we are willing subjects to his divine prerogative."

The appendix (in the 1975 revised edition) includes board and leadership job descriptions, a goals and standards checklist, and a 28-question “Manager’s Check List” (Yes, No, Not Sure), with these nudges:

• Are you managing your work according to a written set of objectives, goals and standards (OGS)?
• Does each supervisor provide adequate on-the-job training for each of his supervisees?
• Does your “cabinet” (that is, those who report directly to you) have a written plan spelled out in terms of objectives, goals and standards for the “cabinet” as a whole?
• Do you conduct at least two unhurried review sessions per year with each of your supervisees according to the review principles in Managing Our Work?

In heaven, I’m planning to share my appreciation for this book with the author himself, John W. Alexander. I’m so grateful. The book had a huge impact on me.

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Results Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] Three Dimensions of Leadership: Practical Insight on Management, Finance, and Boards of Churches and Christian Organizations, by Olan Hendrix (Read my review.)

[  ] The Minister’s MBA: Essential Business Tools for Maximum Ministry Success, by George S. Babbes and Michael Zigarelli (Read my review.)

[  ] The Daily Drucker: 366 Days of Insight and Motivation for Getting the Right Things Done, by Peter F. Drucker, with Joseph A. Maciariello (Read my review.)

[  ] The Essential Engstrom: Proven Principles of Leadership, by Ted W. Engstrom (Read my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title for Managing Our Work, by John W. Alexander. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

101 Leadership Insights: Practical Tools, Tips, and Techniques for New and Seasoned Leaders

PIC No. 49: 
• Title: 101 Leadership Insights: Practical Tools, Tips, and Techniques for New and Seasoned Leaders 
• Author: Bob Phillips and Del Walinga
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (May 4, 2021, 240 pages)
• Management Bucket #1 of 20: The Results Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 49 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

My Top-10 Favorite Leadership Insights

I love leadership books. And I love books that promise 99 this, 100 that, and 101 of these! When the book arrives, I grab my pen and head to the table of contents. The plan—pick 10 of the most tempting titles and read them first.

Honest! It would have been easier to just check off all 101 chapter titles in 101 Leadership Insights. But I forced myself to pick 10, so here are my nominees for the Top-10 leadership reminders for both rookies and veterans:

[ ] 10. “Blunders, Bobbles, and Bloopers.” The authors quote J. Jenkins, “To err is human, but when the eraser wears out ahead of the pencil, you’re overdoing it.” Phillips and Walinga urge us to “learn from the blunders, and do not repeat them in your leadership.” The authors warn—don’t succumb to the “now you’re the top dog” syndrome:

“Everyone must understand that you have all the answers.
There’s no need to read any leadership books,
go to leadership seminars, or sharpen my leadership skills.”

[ ] 40. “Faults, Flaws, and Failings.” Read why “The 30,000-Foot Syndrome” is a “common disease affecting too many leaders.”

[ ] 42. “Attitude.” (Breaking News! Watch for my review of Bob Phillip’s new book, Attitude Is a Choice―So Pick a Good One: Practical Steps to a Positive Outlook (coming August 8, 2023, on Amazon).

[ ] 49. “Tyranny of the Urgent.” The authors quote Charles Hummel (see his booklet below), “Don’t let the urgent take the place of the important in your life…when you and I were putting out the fires of the urgent, the important was again left in a holding pattern.”

[ ] 57. “Goofing Off.” Consider: “If you’re aware of employees goofing off, the odds are that the other employees are aware of it too. Your not dealing with the issue is conveying a message to everyone who works for you. Your message is, ‘It’s okay to goof off under my leadership.’”

[ ] 61. “Meeting Template.” Besides the helpful template, these three quotations will help convince your meeting junkies to step up and start doing the actual work!
• Richard Moran: “We are going to continue having these meetings, every day, until I find out why no work is getting done.”
• Peter Drucker: “Either meet or work. You can’t do both at the same time.”
• G. K. Chesterton: “I’ve searched all the parks in all the cities and found no statues of Committees.”

[ ] 67. “Decision-Making Template.” This brilliant two-page template is worth the price of the book. Honest. Have you ever applied “SWOT” to your decision-making? Plus: The “Two Models of Decision-Making” (Model A and Model B) are worthy of a laminated card to carry in your wallet. Good stuff!

[ ] 69. “The Bottleneck.” The authors quote Peter Drucker, “In most organizations, the bottleneck is at the top of the bottle.”

[ ] 82. “Mistakes, Muddles, and Missteps.” Another convicting chapter! The authors list five “potential pitfalls” in your own leadership—as you influence others, including “blame shifting.” This quote from LeRoy Eims (1925-2004) reminded me of several of Eims’ helpful books that I read years ago: “A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.”

[ ] 83. “I Quit!” Have you ever read a chapter on quitting your job? The authors list 19 “red flags that signal the possible need for a job transition.” They quote Olan Hendrix (1931-2023), “I realized that I stayed one year too long at my last job.” Then Phillips and Walinga stick the knife in: “Have you been too long at your job?”

[ ] 100. “Six Pieces of Paper.” This next-to-the-last chapter delivers a profound priorities exercise—forcing you to discern what you value in life. Leaders of leaders will remember this simple exercise and use it often. The authors quote Mark Twain, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

Did I mention that I could have checked 101 favorite chapter titles? I encourage leaders and managers to include a short enrichment segment in their weekly staff meeting, “10 Minutes for Lifelong Learning.” This book is jam-packed with lifelong learning lessons. Lead those segments yourself, or order several books and rotate the facilitation duties every week. Enjoy!

Note: I’ve reviewed several books by Bob Phillips (see below). You’ll appreciate his wisdom on social styles, overcoming conflict, leadership, and humor (see his joke books!). Phillips is the cofounder of the Pointman Leadership Institute and is a licensed marriage and family counselor. A New York Times bestselling author, he has written over 130 books (not a typo). Co-author Del Walinga is a business owner with a background in law enforcement and corrections and is an instructor with Pointman Leadership Institute.

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Results Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] Tyranny of the Urgent (Revised & Expanded), by Charles Hummel. (Order this IVP Books booklet from Amazon.)

[ ] Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, by Atif Rafiq. (Read my review.)

[ ] Leadership Success in 10 Minutes a Day, by Bob Phillips. (Read my review and note other books written by the author.)

[ ] The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey, by Ken Blanchard, William Oncken Jr., and Hal Burrows. (Read my review.)

[ ] Hardwiring New Leadership Habits: Does Development Develop? by Dick Daniels. (Read my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title for 101 Leadership Insights: Practical Tools, Tips, and Techniques for New and Seasoned Leaders, by Bob Phillips and Del Walinga. And thanks to Bob Phillips for sending me a review copy. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 


© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Alphabetical Prayer Journal

PIC No. 48: 
• Title: Prayer Journal
• Author: Al Sanders
• Publisher: Ambassador Advertising Agency (Dec. 5, 2021) 
• Management Bucket #5 of 20: The Book Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 48 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Alphabetical Prayer List

In his book, Finish Line: Dispelling Fear, Finding Peace, and Preparing for the End of Your Life (read my review), Robert Wolgemuth mentions Christian radio pioneer Al Sanders (1927-2021). Wolgemuth notes that at the memorial service for Sanders, each guest received a special gift, a blank Prayer Journal.

Al Sanders was the founder of the Ambassador Advertising Agency and according to the family’s tribute on the website:

“Being an inveterate ‘organizer,’ he developed the habit of praying over names in alphabetical order. It might be first name or last name. And other names (children, spouse, and so on) might be added to the primary name. But if you knew your name was on this list, you knew you were being prayed over daily in the very early morning hours when Al arose—and, in the last years of his life, as he retired in the evening as well.”

Stunning—and what a beautiful (and organized) way to enrich your prayer life with consistency and order. I asked Peggy Campbell, president of Ambassador, if she would send me a copy of the Prayer Journal. Graciously, she did! Four pages are allocated for each letter (A, B, C, etc.) and a meaningful Bible verse is included on each of the 26 lettered pages.



A – “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

B – “In the morning, LORD, you will hear my voice; in the morning I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch.” (Psalm 5:3)

In the back of the Prayer Journal, you’ll be blessed to read “Al’s Hymn List” with 43 titles of his favorite hymns, including this note regarding “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”—“All six stanzas please!” You’ll appreciate this introduction:

“In addition to their prayer commitment, Al & Margaret Sanders deeply believed in the power of the words and music of hymns.” They add, “In the last year’s of Al’s earthly life, every day Margaret would slip onto the piano bench about 4:00 p.m. and begin playing hymn after hymn—all out of her head (who needs a songbook!). She enjoyed being asked to hear certain favorites but usually it was the ‘Spirit’s leading’ that orchestrated the playlist. And Dad would name the title of the tune—and the composer as well, on rare occasions with help from Google or a hymnbook.”

That page concludes with “Sing to the LORD a new song…for great is the LORD and most worthy of praise.” (Psalm 96:1 & 4)

ALPHABETICAL PRAISING & PRAYING. Perhaps Al Sanders’ alphabetical approach to praying is new to you. You can get started by creating your own prayer journal. (Click here for a blank journal from Amazon, or consider this one.)

I can’t remember when I first experienced an alphabetical praise time, but I’ve used it frequently over the years in board meetings, workshops, and with clients. I begin:

“Let’s pause and give praise to our Holy God. Starting with Mario on my right, let’s go around the room. Mario—you’ll share a synonym or adjective for God that begins with ‘A.’ Then Polly, you’ll give a favorite word for our Lord that begins with 'B.’ And so forth…all around the room, ending with the letter ‘Z.’ Enjoy these alphabetical praise moments and then we’ll close by reading Revelation 22:13.”

I pray that this blog will enrich your prayer life!

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Seeing this creative prayer journal reminded me of several other must-read books in the Book Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] Finish Line: Dispelling Fear, Finding Peace, and Preparing for the End of Your Life, by Robert Wolgemuth. (Read my review.)

[  ] The One Year^® Book of Hymns: 365 Devotions Based on Popular Hymns (Read my review to be posted on July 19, 2023. Order from Amazon.)

[  ] The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, by Arthur Bennett, Editor. (Read my review.)

[ ] A Diary of Private Prayer, by John Baillie (Read my review.)

[ ] List of “2020 Spiritual Growth Books,” including Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, by Stephen A. Macchia, Editor. (Read my reviews.)

To learn more about the Prayer Journal method used by Al Sanders, click here. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Finishing Well

PIC No. 47: 
• Title: Finishing Well
• Author: Ron Cline
• Publisher: Leader Mundial Press (March 5, 2018, 76 pages)
• Management Bucket #13 of 20: The Crisis Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 47 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

“This is the book I wish I had read 60 years ago.”

Ron Cline, a leader of leaders, writes, “This is the book I wish I had read 60 years ago.”

Asked to speak at a “very special leader’s summit in Thailand that involved national leaders from several closed or restricted countries,” he was enthusiastic about the opportunity. He sensed the Holy Spirit’s direction to speak on the topic, “finish well the ministry that the Lord has once for all entrusted to you, His people.”

But then he confesses, “I never thought about the finish.” After decades of effective ministry, including president of a large international mission group—visiting 100 countries over 20 years—Ron Cline writes, “It wasn’t until then that I started thinking about what I was going to do when I grew up, how and when I would finish. Mostly wondering what that meant and when that time would come.”

So when God told him to speak about “finishing well,” he admits that “for the first time in my life I spent days studying the subject. I read books, checked the web and did a whole lot of soul searching. I had conversations with God and with other leaders. I became fascinated with the subject and found myself having to answer the same questions I will be asking you.”

Oh, my. Don’t let the brevity of this book camouflage its critical content. You’ll likely read this 76-page powerhouse in one sitting, but you’ll talk incessantly about it to others. (Ask my wife and son!) Have you ever read a book on finishing well? Thought about…finishing well? Prayed about…finishing well?

“Here is what I have discovered,” writes Cline when introducing his bottom line: “It doesn’t make any difference how you start. The only thing that matters is how well you finish.”

CRISIS! You’ll be shocked to read the shaky start that Ron Cline endured as a young child, as a teenager, and as a first-year struggling college student. “I had been born deaf,” he writes, and so he had never learned how to correctly pronounce his words. A young doctor discovered calcium deposits against his ear drums—and then a miracle! He experienced “the sudden arrival of full sound.”

Yet, he still mispronounced words, like his own name, Ronald, and his classmates made fun of him. “Every time, try as I would, my name came out ‘Wonald Cline,’ I sounded like Donald Duck and the kids would howl.”

Do you have children and youth in your circle of family and friends who suffer from physical and/or emotional challenges? This book will give you hope! Cline pays tribute to a holy parade of encouragers—including a college prof and his mother—who would remind him, “God has something really special for you.” The stories are stunning.

So with that challenging backdrop, Cline walks us through his “finishing well” insights and exercises, including:
• “What do you want on your tomb stone?
• What do you want people to say about you at your memorial service?
• What do you want Christ to say to you?”

Initially, as he prepared his thoughts on finishing well for those leaders at the Thailand meeting, he got a bit carried away! First he made a list of 12 things to do today. Then it got longer! (Time for Plan B!)

“I decided that I didn’t want to spend time just reading off a long list of things to do. I knew that these leaders already knew their own list.” So he changed directions for his four morning speaking sessions. He also “wanted them to be able to translate and reteach these things.”

The result—the last 20 pages of Finishing Well feature three substantive aspirations:

IF I WANT TO FINISH WELL…
1) “…I need to understand and stay true to my calling.
2)  …I need to obey His commands.
3)  …I need to totally trust God.”

That will preach—and you’ll appreciate Cline’s commentary and transparent personal examples for these three pillars. He concludes with this encouragement:

“You can’t go back and change the beginning,
but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
C.S. Lewis

P.S. For such a short book, you’ll be amazed at the number of delightful morsels. Cline played trombone in the San Diego Symphony, writes songs as a hobby, and he can also read lips! So be careful what you might whisper in his presence!

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Crisis Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] Finish Line: Dispelling Fear, Finding Peace, and Preparing for the End of Your Life, by Robert Wolgemuth. (Read my review.)

[  ] The Joseph Road: Choices That Determine Your Destiny, by Jerry White. (Read my review.)

[  ] Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, by Ruth Haley Barton. (Read my review.)

[  ] Finishing Well: What People Who REALLY Live Do Differently! – Based on Inspiring Interviews with 60 Remarkable People, by Bob Buford. (Order from Amazon. Watch for my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title Finishing Well, by Ron Cline. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Open This Letter in Ten Years: Life Lessons from Dad’s Love Letters

PIC No. 46: 
• Title: Open This Letter in Ten Years: Life Lessons from Dad’s Love Letters
• Authors: Linda DeHoff and Bill Butterworth
• Publisher: Lulu (July 20, 2022, 153 pages)
• Management Bucket #5 of 20: The Book Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 46 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Your Magnum Opus: Which Life Lesson?

In my one-man campaign to inspire readers to start typing—I call it “You Should Write a Book”—I found a brilliant idea that might work for you.

Pack provisions for a two-week trek and journey to your attic, your basement, or your storage unit. You’ll likely find dozens of sweet and sentimental letters from family, friends, and others that are too poignant to jettison. (Why have you kept them? My bias: “After I cross my finish line, these letters will bring joy to my son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids. No point in shredding these.”)

Then write your book—using selected letters to build themes, life lessons, and family history. That’s what Linda DeHoff did, with the help of my friend, Bill Butterworth. The result is delightful, funny, serious, and deeply spiritual.

At a dinner party in their home near Canton, Ohio, Linda DeHoff, her husband, and other guests, were discussing memories of their parents. That prompted Linda to share a few letters written by her father when he served at Pearl Harbor during World War II and in Japan and Korea during the Korean War.

Perhaps by divine appointment, David Baker and his wife were dinner guests that night. (Baker served from 2014 to 2021 as president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.) He was most intrigued by the 10-page letter, beautifully handwritten by Linda’s father, with the instructions to six-year-old Linda, “Open this letter in ten years.”

Baker read the entire letter—a dad’s hopes and dreams for his daughter “mostly about love and marriage.” After a moment of quiet reflection, Baker urged her, “You should put these letters in a book. People would be inspired by your Dad’s love for you.”

With great reluctance at first, eventually the book idea grew on her and, with Bill Butterworth’s help, this 147-page gem was published just one year ago. The life lessons are both foundational and very special. Linda DeHoff’s purpose in writing shines through: “…some practical applications to your life, without being preachy.”

Disclaimer! I’m the fourth of five sons in my family (no daughters). Joanne and I were blessed with one son—so just the thought of writing a letter to a 16-year-old girl is way above my pay grade. But, now the Lord has blessed us with five grandchildren and 80 percent of them are girls—now young women ages 14 to 20! So, I read this special book with great interest.

MAGNUM OPUS. While in the service, Captain Anton (Tony) Sturrett wrote almost every day to his wife, Helen, and young daughter, Linda. In Linda’s estimation, her dad’s “Magnum Opus” was the 10-page letter he wrote to her on love and marriage—not to be opened until she was 16.

A six-cent airmail stamp on those familiar “VIA AIR MAIL” envelopes funded this precious cargo from Tokorozawa, Japan, to Sandyville, Ohio. Tony’s fatherly letter was written on Dec. 10, 1951. At the time, Capt. Sturrett was with the Army Corp of Engineers. The insightful counsel to his future 16-year-old daughter is still relevant today:
• “The attitudes you’re developing now towards the boys you know will establish the pattern of your conduct towards your husband.”
• “And when you meet the boy you want to marry, you’ll think God has given you the whole place, and there’s no feeling like that in the world.”
• “When the two of you say, ‘I do’ you sign an alliance, not a surrender.”
• “But there’s one more thing. Your husband, your family, your home—your entire life can be truly valuable only if you have a guest in your house and that guest is God.” (In his letter, Tony underlined “God.” I’ve added the link.)

The uniqueness of this book is subtle—and brilliant. Like a good Bible commentary that enriches and makes applicable the meaning of the Scriptures, this book spotlights meaningful snippets from many of Tony’s letters and then drills down deeper with thoughtful commentary. (Several chapters expand on the “Magnum Opus” theme.)

I especially loved these moments:
• Later in life, when Linda’s dad observed she was dressing too casually for dates, he shocked both Linda and her date with his own casual attire. (LOL!) Lesson learned!
• In a lesson on generosity, Tony wrote how he bent a few Army rules to funnel sports equipment to a local orphanage.
• In a fascinating letter dated “19 April 52,” Tony describes a classic bureaucratic meeting with officers—all reluctant to make timely decisions on four building projects, five sewage systems, and the design and cost estimate on 22 rifle and other gun ranges. Due to his disciplined preparation (another life lesson), he finally cut through the bureaucracy and proposed his plans. Result? A decision in 15 minutes!
• Back home in Canton after his military years, Tony bargained with his local barber and proposed that instead of paying $1.00 per haircut each week (the going rate), he would pay him $2.50 per haircut—if the barber would lock in that price for the rest of his life! (They agreed and he paid $2.50 a week for a haircut for well over 40 years—and sometimes he would visit the barber twice a week!)

Read this book! It will inspire you to write letters to those closest to you—sharing life lessons, warmth, and care for those you love. Hmmm. I wonder what you would write in your Magnum Opus letter? Who would receive this precious letter?

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Book Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] THIS. 52 Ways to Share Your World With Those You Love, by Jason Pearson and Doug Fields. (Read my review.)

[  ] Mentoring Moments with Myself: Letters to My Younger Self about Life, Faith, Love and Leadership, by Michelle Hoverson Robinson. (Read my review.)

[  ] Legacy: 60 Life Reflections for the Next Generation, by Stephen A. Macchia. (Read Jason Pearson’s review.)

[  ] Gilead: A Novel (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize), by Marilynne Robinson. (Read my review.)

[  ] The Top 10 Leadership Conversations in the Bible: Practical Insights From Extensive Research on Over 1,000 Biblical Leaders, by Steve Moore. (Read my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title for Open This Letter in Ten Years: Life Lessons from Dad’s Love Letters, by Linda DeHoff and Bill Butterworth. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

AI Mimics John Pearson’s Buckets Blog!

PIC No. 45B (continued):
• Title: Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action 
• Author: Atif Rafiq
• Publisher: McGraw Hill (April 25, 2023, 304 pages)
• Management Bucket #10 of 20: The Hoopla! Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 45B of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Decision Sprint: LOL From AI!

In my last blog post here, I featured Part 1 of 2 of my review of the new book, Decision Sprint. Watch for my Part 2 of 2 full review this week at John Pearson’s Buckets Blog—but I couldn’t wait to tell you about this extraordinary book. It will revolutionize your meetings (and more).

Part 1 of 2 and now Part 2 of 2 contrasts two responses from artificial intelligence to my request. (And honest—this is the first time I've asked AI to write my book reviews!)

TWO AI BOOK REVIEWS! 
#1. AI’s traditional review (read here)
#2. AI’s “humorous” review (see below)

#2. LOL from ChatGPT!
Just for fun—and thinking about artificial intelligence per the author's last three chapters—I asked AI:

“Using the writing style and humor from 'John Pearson’s Buckets Blog,' write a book review of 'Decision Sprint' by Atif Rafiq."

In the blink of a robot, ChatGPT delivered this 545-word response below. (I loved the "Buckets" rating!)

Title: "Decision Sprint" by Atif Rafiq: A Turbo Boost for Your Decision-Making Mojo!

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Buckets)

Howdy, decision-making enthusiasts! Today, we're diving headfirst into the world of snappy decision-making with "Decision Sprint" by the one and only Atif Rafiq. Buckle up, my friends, because this book is like a shot of espresso for your brain—it's fast, furious, and will have you making better decisions before you can say "Eureka!"

Now, if you're tired of those never-ending meetings where decisions are as rare as a unicorn in a business suit, "Decision Sprint" will be your knight in shining armor. Rafiq presents a nifty framework that takes inspiration from agile methodologies and injects some much-needed oomph into your decision-making process. Say goodbye to those decision-dragging nightmares and hello to rapid-fire decision sprints that will make your head spin (in a good way, of course).

Rafiq, a seasoned executive with a knack for digital transformation, sprinkles his book with real-life examples and enough wisdom to rival a hundred guru-filled podcasts. His writing style is crisp, clear, and infused with a generous helping of humor that will keep you engaged from page one. Trust me, folks, this ain't your grandpa's dry management book—this is a decision-making extravaganza that'll leave you chuckling and nodding your head in agreement.

But let's get to the meaty stuff, shall we? The decision sprint framework is a thing of beauty. It breaks down those massive, mind-boggling problems into bite-sized chunks that even your granny's Chihuahua could tackle. By collaborating with your team (yes, teamwork makes the dream work, folks), you'll be sprinting towards decisions like Usain Bolt chasing Olympic gold.

Rafiq isn't just about theory—he delivers the goods with practical tools and templates that'll have you doing the decision-making cha-cha in no time. These bad boys will guide you through the decision sprint process, making sure you don't miss a beat. Plus, the exercises and checklists will give you that warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment, like completing a marathon in your PJs (but with way less sweat, I promise).

But wait, there's more! "Decision Sprint" isn't just about speed—it's got a heart of gold too. Rafiq reminds us that ethical decision-making is the real deal, my friends. It's not just about ticking boxes and high-fiving your colleagues. It's about making choices that align with your values and have a positive impact on the world. So put on your ethical thinking cap, my fellow decision sprinters, and let's make the world a better place—one well-thought-out decision at a time.

In conclusion, "Decision Sprint" is a decision-making extravaganza that injects energy, humor, and practicality into your decision-making game. Atif Rafiq's wit, wisdom, and real-world examples will have you flipping through the pages with gusto. If you're tired of decision-making limbo and want to go from zero to decision hero in record time, this book is your golden ticket. So grab your running shoes, hop on the decision sprint bandwagon, and get ready to conquer those decision-making mountains like a boss!

Disclaimer: Reading this book may cause an uncontrollable urge to sprint through decisions, make better choices, and develop a witty sense of humor. Embrace these side effects with caution, and remember to thank Atif Rafiq for your newfound decision-making mojo.

[LOL! To read AI’s first more traditional review of Decision Sprint, see the previous post here on the Pails in Comparison blog, “Decision Sprint: Sneak Peek (Part 1 of 2).” To read my Part 2 of 2 review coming this week, visit John Pearson's Buckets Blog.]

To order from Amazon, click on the title for Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, by Atif Rafiq. Listen on Libro (available July 11, 2023). For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. And listen to the podcast, "What's Next!" Tiffani Bova interviews Atif Rafiq on his book. Listen here.

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action

PIC No. 45: 
• Title: Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action 
• Author: Atif Rafiq
• Publisher: McGraw Hill (April 25, 2023, 304 pages)
• Management Bucket #20 of 20: The Meetings Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 45 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Decision Sprint: Sneak Peek (Part 1 of 2)

Watch for my Part 2 of 2 full review next week at John Pearson’s Buckets Blog—but I couldn’t wait to tell you about this extraordinary book. It will revolutionize your meetings (and more).

Atif Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500. After serving at Amazon, he was the first Chief Digital Officer at McDonald's. Then Volvo and MGM Resorts.

How important is this book? I underlined nearly every sentence in the first four pages. I still don’t know what I will title my full review in Part 2 of 2—because I already have over a dozen memorable phrases. (Way too much good stuff!)

POP QUIZ! I’m thinking, for Part 2 of 2, I might write a 49-question Pop Quiz, with these starters:
   #1. Was your last meeting an input meeting or an output meeting?
   #2. You’ve just arrived as the CDO at McDonald’s and there “are no fewer than 25 apps for McDonald’s in the US app store.” How do you fix this?
   #3. What is the “ultimate superpower” of companies?
   #4. True or False? “In this era of leadership, we need more people and teams comfortable with tackling unknown territory rather than doing more of the past a little better.”
   #5. Why did the former president and CEO of Volvo Cars say that “Asking why with a smile five times is very efficient.”

There’s more coming next week! In the meantime, listen to Tiffani Bova’s podcast interview with Atif Rafiq on “A New Way of Decision-Making” (31 minutes). Click here. And read my review of Bova’s WSJ bestseller, The Experience Mindset.

P.S. I have a couple of surprises up my sleeve for “Part 2 of 2” of Decision Sprint.

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Meetings Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] BOOK: The Experience Mindset: Changing the Way You Think About Growth, by Tiffani Bova. (Read my review.)

[  ] PODCAST: Tiffani Bova interviews Atif Rafiq on her What’s Next? podcast—about his book, Decision Sprint. Topic: “A New Way of Decision-making.”

[  ] BOOK: The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business, by Clayton M. Christensen (see this and other Christensen books here)

[  ] BOOK: Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution: A Handbook for Entrepreneurs, by Uri Levine (Read my review.)

[  ] BOOK: The Amazon Management System: The Ultimate Digital Business Engine That Creates Extraordinary Value for Both Customers and Shareholders, by Ram Charan and Julia Yang (Read my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title for Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, by Atif Rafiq. Listen on Libro (available July 11, 2023). For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

TWO AI BOOK REVIEWS! (updated on 6/27/2023)
#1. AI’s traditional review (see below)
#2. AI’s “humorous” review (read next blog, "AI Mimics John Pearson’s Buckets Blog!”)

#1. TRADITIONAL REVIEW
Just for grins—and thinking about artificial intelligence—I asked AI,

“Write a book review of ‘Decision Sprint’ by Atif Rafiq.”

In the blink of a robot, ChatGPT delivered this 517-word response:

Title: A Transformative Journey: A Review of "Decision Sprint" by Atif Rafiq

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, making effective decisions with confidence and agility is paramount to success. "Decision Sprint" by Atif Rafiq offers a groundbreaking framework that empowers leaders and teams to navigate the complexities of decision-making with clarity and speed. With its practical approach and actionable insights, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to enhance their decision-making skills.

Atif Rafiq, an accomplished executive with extensive experience in leading digital transformation initiatives, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the pages of "Decision Sprint." He adeptly combines real-world examples, personal anecdotes, and research-backed strategies to present a compelling narrative that resonates with both seasoned professionals and aspiring leaders.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its structured and systematic approach to decision-making. Rafiq introduces the concept of a "decision sprint," which draws inspiration from the agile methodology employed in software development. This iterative and fast-paced approach ensures that decisions are made quickly, without sacrificing quality or analysis. By breaking down complex problems into manageable steps and leveraging cross-functional collaboration, the decision sprint framework allows organizations to achieve alignment and reach optimal outcomes.

Rafiq's writing style is engaging, concise, and accessible, making it easy for readers to grasp the core concepts and apply them to their own decision-making challenges. The author strikes an impressive balance between theory and practice, providing a solid theoretical foundation while offering practical tools and techniques that can be immediately implemented. The inclusion of decision sprint templates, checklists, and exercises further enhances the book's value as a practical guide.

Moreover, "Decision Sprint" explores the psychological and behavioral aspects of decision-making, shedding light on cognitive biases and how they can influence our judgment. Rafiq emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of open-mindedness, diversity of thought, and learning from failure. By addressing these crucial elements, the book not only equips individuals with a decision-making framework but also encourages organizational growth and innovation.

One aspect that particularly stands out is the emphasis on ethics and values-driven decision-making. Rafiq stresses the significance of ethical considerations and integrity, reminding leaders that decisions should align with the organization's core principles. This human-centered approach to decision-making ensures that not only are decisions effective and efficient, but also morally sound and socially responsible.

"Decision Sprint" is a testament to the transformative potential of effective decision-making. Atif Rafiq's insights, backed by his extensive industry experience, offer a refreshing perspective that challenges traditional decision-making models. By embracing the decision sprint framework outlined in this book, organizations and individuals can unlock their decision-making potential and thrive in today's fast-paced business landscape.

In conclusion, "Decision Sprint" is a remarkable contribution to the field of decision science. Atif Rafiq's expertise, combined with the book's practical framework and insightful strategies, make it an invaluable resource for leaders, teams, and individuals seeking to make better decisions, faster. Whether you are a seasoned executive or an aspiring professional, this book will undoubtedly equip you with the tools and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of decision-making and drive positive change.

[LOL! To read AI’s second review of Decision Sprint, with appropriate humor (!), see the next post on the Pails in Comparison blog, “AI Mimics John Pearson’s Buckets Blog!”]

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf's David Feherty

PIC No. 44: 
• Title: Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf's David Feherty
• Author: John Feinstein
• Publisher: Hachette Books (May 9, 2023, 272 pages)
• Management Bucket #10 of 20: The Hoopla! Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 44 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

“It’s Earned Him a Lot of Mulligans in Life” 

Looking for a Father’s Day gift? If your dad is a golfer—this is a no-brainer. He will enjoy reading or listening to this new book, just published last month. John Feinstein, the remarkable sportswriter (45 books!), has just gifted golfing fans with Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf's David Feherty.

[x] Funny? Check!
[x] Tragic? Check! Check! (Whew.)

Ask any golfer about David Feherty—and they’ll smile and likely chuckle. We’ve all seen one, or dozens, or all 150 episodes of his memorable TV program, Feherty. He’s funny (yes), but he’s also an excellent interviewer. Example: View this clip (1 min., 19 sec.) with World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson.


Feherty, in disbelief, hears Tom Watson explain why narrowly missing his 6th Open Championship in 2009 was no big deal. “That’s the beauty and the tragedy of this game we play,” Watson smiles.

I mention Tom Watson because it was Watson, with Jack Nicklaus’ help, who gently confronted Feherty in 2006 about his alcoholism. They were adamant and Nicklaus offered his private plane to fly Watson and Feherty to an AA meeting in Kansas City. Feherty recalls, “Tom and Jack both made it clear they weren’t taking no for an answer. I realized I was being bullied by Tom Watson and kidnapped by Jack Nicklaus. I really didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

I’ve read dozens and dozens of books about friendship, accountability, and tough love. But Feinstein’s picture of what happened—well…I’ll never forget it. Watson’s example is stunning.

“The drinking started again in the summer of 2016,” writes Feinstein, and so once again, Watson jumped on a private jet to meet with Feherty and his wife. An intervention ensued, culminating in a 28-day rehab program at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Feherty endured just 10 days. “He left without checking out, went to the airport, and had four drinks while waiting for his plane. So much for getting sober.”

If you’re reading this, you likely already know about Feherty’s golfing honors (Ryder Cup and more) and his current roles. (Read this.) When his golfing days were over in 1997, he created a new career as an on-course reporter and golf analyst with CBS, NBC, and the Golf Channel. His Irish accent, his golf knowledge, and his wit immediately made him a fan favorite. Yet…his on-and-off-again addiction continued.

“Feherty’s concern wasn’t so much whether he could stay sober when working but whether he could be funny when he was sober.” (Note: When this golf book was published, it was immediately ranked #1 in “alcoholism recovery” on Amazon.)

Wondering if the book is really “remarkably funny,” as promised? It is! Hilarious. I’ve mentioned numerous one-liners and more to family and friends—especially golfing friends. (Example: Feherty’s label for Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie was “Mrs. Doubtfire.”)

But…it’s much more. In the author’s interviews with David Feherty, and his second wife, Anita, a remarkable transparency and vulnerability shines through. (Much more than many of the faith-based books I’ve reviewed over the years.) There’s this when Anita abruptly ended and walked away from their first date:

“Anita had been willing to go on that second date in July 1995 because she saw in Feherty what almost everyone in his life sees in him: ‘I guess, even though he was drunk, I saw a kindness in him, even that first night, even in just a few minutes,’ she says. ‘I think that’s something people see in him because it’s quite real. It’s earned him a lot of mulligans in life.’”

And speaking of mulligans, pair this book with Ken Blanchard’s and Wally Armstrong’s golfing book, The Mulligan—Everyone Needs a Second Chance in Golf and in Life. (Read my review. Or view the movie—see below.)

Don't skip:
• Why Feherty picked golf over being an opera singer!
• How he lost the trophy after winning the Scottish Open!
• What club to hold over your head in a lightning storm!
• Why Feherty became a U.S. citizen.
• Tiger Woods' nickname for Feherty, plus this on Tiger's skill set: "If you ask me the fifty greatest shots I've ever seen, [Tiger] probably hit forty-nine of them."
• The IOC's true slogan: "Show me the Money!"
• In the must-read Epilogue by Feinstein on Feherty losing a child: "None can truly understand that someone so funny spends at least part of every day in tears—even  with all the meds he takes."

Note: I read this book why golfing last month in Palm Desert, Calif. Notable numbers: 104, 103, 102, and 101. (Not my golf scores—the temperature each day!) And note this: sometimes, golfing on my own, I join a threesome of strangers. Their usual cussing and colorful language frequently oozes out after botched shots. Then, around the 10th hole, someone will ask me about my career history—and upon learning that I worked in and consulted with churches and nonprofit Christian organizations, there will be some embarrassed apologies for the colorful language! LOL! And this book? No apologies from the author—but there is some cussing!)

Exquisite Timing? If you can believe it, this morning as I was writing this review, the media’s breaking news was trumpeting the unbelievable merger of the PGA Tour with LIV Golf and the DP World Tour. Feherty, as you likely know, had signed on as a golf analyst with LIV Golf in July 2022. I can hardly wait to hear his commentary on this new global golf entity.

Happy Father’s Day, or Happy National Golf Day, or Happy Birthday—or happy any day. Buy this book for a golfing buddy and read it yourself. Remarkable.

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Hoopla! Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] Anything for a Golf Ball: The Art of Finding Lost Golf Balls, by John Vawter (Read my review.)

[  ] Tales from Q School: Inside Golf's Fifth Major, by John Feinstein (Read my review. Order from Amazon.)

[  ] The Mulligan—Everyone Needs a Second Chance in Golf and in Life, by Wally Armstrong and Ken Blanchard (Read my review.)

[  ] The Mulligan (View the movie on Amazon Prime.)

[  ] Angel for Higher, by Robert Hendershot with Trevor (Read my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title for Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf's David Feherty, by John Feinstein. Listen on Libro (7 hours, 1 minute). For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.

Count Zinzendorf and the Spirit of the Moravians

PIC No. 43: 
• Title: Count Zinzendorf and the Spirit of the Moravians
• Author: Paul Wemmer
• Publisher: Xulon Press (Oct. 8, 2013, 270 pages)
• Management Bucket #13 of 20: The Crisis Bucket
 


Welcome to Issue No. 43 of PAILS IN COMPARISON, the value-added sidekick of John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. This blog features my “PICs”—shorter reviews of helpful books—with comparisons to other books in my 20 management buckets (core competencies) filing system.

Just One Crisis After Another! The Amazing Story of Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians

Honest. You don’t have to be a spiritual giant to read this fascinating biography, but—warning—you will ask yourself, “Do I exhibit any signs of spirituality in my comfortable life?” Whew.

Paul Wemmer, the author of Count Zinzendorf and the Spirit of the Moravians, walks us through the deep-and-wide history of the 18th century global movement of the Moravians. Have you ever read anything about Count Zinzendorf and his hearty band of brothers and sisters? (No? Me neither!)

Who would be on your list for the Top-100 most important religious figures in history (would we call them “influencers” today?)—and how much do you know about them? Would Count Nicholaus Ludwig van Zinzendorf (1700-1760) be on your list?

Earlier this year, I listened to a hymn written by Zinzendorf—and I realized I knew absolutely nothing about this spiritual giant and prolific hymnwriter. It was high time to widen my reading! I googled the Count, watched some YouTube videos, and scanned the books on Amazon. I landed on this one, published in 2013.

Paul Wemmer is a first-time author. Born into a Catholic family in Germany in 1940, he shares his own story in the first chapter—context for his fascination with Zinzendorf. He immigrated to the U.S., served in the U.S. Army, and lived in the Los Angeles area where he was a printing supervisor in the L.A. election department. The Registrar of Voters once described him: “Here is a German who runs the print shop as smoothly as a Swiss clock.”

Wemmer and his wife discovered the charismatic movement of the Catholic Church—and “within a few days…we had an insatiable hunger for reading the Bible.” He adds, “I read at home, during my lunch hour, and at break time. I couldn’t get enough.” Not a theologian, but a serious student of the Bible, he eventually became a Protestant and has a few comments about Catholics in his book that, perhaps, are influenced by the persecution that Zinzendorf and his Christian community endured. 

I’ve decided not to summarize this book—even though I made 25 notes to share with you. I’ll spare you my thoughts and inspire you to enjoy two short videos. Click on this two-minute promo video from the publisher—with highlights from the book.

And here is a theologian’s nine-minute overview on “Zinzendorf and Early Moravians: 11 Things to Know about Their Work.” The presenter, J. D. Payne, serves as professor of Christian Ministry at Samford University. Click here.


Listen to J.D. Payne’s short video on 11 things to know about Zinzendorf and the Moravians, including their team approach for outreach.

Spoiler Alert! The author’s bullet-pointed 16-page summary in Chapter 26, “The Moravian Spirit,” is a helpful reference. He notes:
• “Zinzendorf was a resourceful, energetic, strong leader, but he did not dominate the congregation and community.”
• “Their experience being refugees themselves gave them an unusual compassion for oppressed people.”
• Excerpts from a poem by Zinzendorf: “Inactivity is not our attractiveness, Working and sweating refreshes and makes you rocklike. Our eyes are clear; our minds are in high spirits. There is nothing more beautiful than a dusty worker.”

Paul Wemmer’s sidebars and commentary add bulk to his narrative of Count Zinzendorf’s amazing story. I hope you’ll read this book—and it will touch you like it touched me.

PAILS IN COMPARISON: Reading this book reminded me of several other must-read books in the Crisis Bucket, plus other buckets/core competencies. 

[  ] Broken and Whole: A Leader’s Path to Spiritual Transformation, by Stephen A. Macchia (Read my review.)
[  ] Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, by Ruth Haley Barton (Read my review.)
[  ] Outrageous: Awake to the Unexpected Adventures of Everyday Faith, by Aaron Tredway (Read my review.)
[  ] Serve Strong: Biblical Encouragement to Sustain God’s Servants, by Terry Powell (Read my review.)
[  ] Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God, by Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude King (Read my review.)

To order from Amazon, click on the title for Count Zinzendorf and the Spirit of the Moravians, by Paul Wemmer. For more book reviews, visit John Pearson’s Buckets Blog and subscribe to Your Weekly Staff Meeting. 

© 2023 John Pearson Associates. All rights reserved.
Pails in Comparison is posted every once in a while. We do not accept any form of compensation from authors or publishers for book reviews. As an Amazon Associate, we earn Amazon gift cards from qualifying purchases. As a Libro.fm Affiliate, we earn credits. By subscribing to Your Weekly Staff Meeting, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Typepad.com’s privacy policy here.