by Rolf Crocker

By the time you get this, the budgets will be put to bed, the holiday parties will be in full-swing and the goodies start coming in by the truckload.  Time to reflect on 2005, look at what worked well, look at what didn’t work so well and give some thought and planning to 2006.  I’m not a resolution kind of guy, but I also know if I want a different result, I need to do something different.  I once heard a Billionaire say, “After College, there are only two ways you can grow and learn – through the books you read and through the people you meet.”  I can’t help you with the latter, but with the former – well, I think I might be able to add something there.  So here it is – 4 key books from 2005 that are guaranteed to change your life.  Happy Holidays!  Rolf

How To Be Like Walt by Pat Williams (©2004 Health Communications, Inc. This book is unique on several levels.  Number one – this book was written with the permission of the Disney family, and contains interviews with anyone still living who knew Walt Disney.  Number two - it is an excellent biography from soup to nuts on the life of Walt Disney.  Number three – Pat breaks down each biographical chapter with lessons on how to be like Walt.  As Pat makes abundantly clear, Walt was not perfect and by no means a saint.  However, by virtue of his modest, Midwest upbringing, he embodied many strong, solid character traits that infused every aspect of his creations.  If fact, to quote Art Linkletter from the Foreword of the book, “Of all the books written about Walt Disney, this may be the most important.”  5 Stars!

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD (©2002 GP Putnam, Inc.)  is an excellent allegory in helping sort out the process that comes when change is inevitable.  The story of Scratch and Scurry, Hem & Haw may seem silly to some.  However, if you look past the simplicity of the story and align yourself with the character that best describes you, I submit that you’ll find some affirming truths and gain clarity in your own unique circumstance.  Life is too short and time is not a renewable resource – make the time to evaluate where you are at and, if appropriate, embrace change.  It could be the doorway to your destiny!  4 Stars!

Ethics 101 – What Every Leader Needs To Know by John Maxwell (©2005 Center Street/TimeWarner Books) Ethics is more than just staying away from the wrong things.  More importantly, it is about doing the right thing.  There was a time when our word was our bond and business was conducted on a handshake.  How could that have been?  Because people lived by The Golden Rule – treat others as you wand to be treated.  Here is Maxwell’s premise:  Asking the question, “How would I like to be treated in this situation?” is an integrity guideline for any situation.  There are many more pearls of ethical wisdom, woven through stories of real-life application from people in business, sports and government.  At 104 pages, it’s a quick read.  For a good primer on ethics, it’s a must-read!  5 Stars!

Wooden on Leadership by John Wooden and Steve Jamison (©2005 McGraw Hill Books) This book is the real deal from Coach Wooden himself.  It is impossible to overstate the contribution that Coach Wooden has made (and continues to make at age 92), not just to college basketball, but as Hall of Fame and former UCLA player Bill Walton says, to living life. Part 1 is a complete breakdown of his “Pyramid of Success,”  Part 2 contain Wooden’s “Lessons in Leadership,” and Part 3 contains actual excerpts from Coach Wooden’s Playbooks from over 45 years of coaching.  Even though everyone knows John Wooden as Coach, he has always seen himself first and foremost a Teacher.  Let Coach Wooden add to your arsenal of how to build and keep a winning team.  Your team will thank you for it!  5+ Stars!