By Rolf Crocker

Greetings and Happy Holidays!  Hard to believe it’s the end of the year – it’s gone so fast.  John Maxwell says that getting older is a little like a roll of toilet paper – the closer you get to the end, the quicker it goes.  How true THAT is turning out to be!  The big question is a modification of that great line from then-Governor Ronald Reagan:  “Are you better off now than you were 12 months ago?”  I trust that, in spite of the hardships and challenges that living this thing called Life has hurled at you, you have taken an approach that betters yourself and those around you.  Have you grown, personally and professionally?  I trust that you have. 

It is in the grand tradition that we take this opportunity to look over the Book Reports for 2004 and highlight some ‘choice’ selections that you can place on your Amazon (or Audible) Christmas List. 

Execution – The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan (©2002 Crown Business). The difference between success and failure is - Execution.  However, typically do not consider Execution a ‘discipline’, in the way we do other disciplines, such as time management, diet or exercise. Bossidy and Charan take real-world examples of Fortune 500 companies, highlighting areas in which those companies have executed well and executed poorly.  4 Stars!

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln – 21 Powerful Secrets of History’s Greatest Speakers - James C. Humes (©2002 Three Rivers Press).  Ever wonder how people like Churchill, MLK Jr., Susan B. Anthony and FDR were able to command the attention of thousands, and even millions?  James Humes, author, historian, professor and former speechwriter for several presidents, explains the tools used by the some of the greatest orators in history.  Learn to use the ‘Power Pause’, the ‘Power Quote’ and the ‘Power Closer’.  Filled with stories and anecdotes, the book is a relatively short read at 199 pages.  4 Stars!

Beyond Success – Brian Biro, forward by Coach John Wooden (©2001 Penguin Putnam) John Wooden’s success as coach of the UCLA Bruins Men’s Basketball Team is legendary.  But did you know that he coached for 25 years before he won his first NCAA championship?  Author Brian Biro takes Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, which contains 15 Secrets to Effective Leadership and Life and develops each secret into a powerful, embraceable life-concept. Full of stories from both Coach Wooden and author Biro, these principles applied can be life-transforming.  Highly recommended! 5 Stars!

Decision Making In Communities by Jasmine Martirossian (©2001 Community Association Press) The subtitle of this book, “Why groups of smart people sometimes make bad decisions” delves into the sociological heart of why groups of people, often professionals with degrees, can get so sideways in the decision making process.  This is not a ‘magic-bullet’ book, but rather gives the reader a comprehensive overview and understanding of the decision making process. A ‘must read’!   5 Stars!