Well, I’ve finally done it.
After much poking and prodding from friends, family and supporters I have taken the leap to add one more thing on my resume.
“Author”
Next month in November with an exact date to be determined, I will release my first book “The Millennial CEO” via my friend, colleague and mentor Chris Westfall’s small publishing company Marie Street Press.
For the past few years as I have shared my thoughts and experiences on my blog, I was often asked if I was ever going to put together a book to talk about how as a Millennial I was able to accomplish what I have.
Perhaps humbled for the first time ever, I actually thought to myself who in the world would read my book?
But when I thought about the great business book authors like Dale Carnegie and Stephen Covey I just kind of feel like what I have to say may pale in comparison to those titans of the type writer. However, the funny thing is when those gentleman wrote their books, you have to wonder what they were thinking and what books they drew comparison to in their minds?
I mean Carnegie wrote an entire book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” basically with the premise of how to be genuinely likable. A simple idea yet a highly meaningful one in a world that is driven by relationships. The timeless nature of the book shows how much value can be found in the basics. Deep down we all know more or less what it takes to be likable, but nonetheless the book still sells today.
My book roots out of a slightly different place, but one that is important all the same.
In the Millennial CEO, we explore the experience that comes with the ascent into executive management that took place throughout my 20’s.
When I was 20 and staring life in the face after finding out I would soon be a father, my life could have taken many forms. However, I decided to buckle down and pursuit my goals of providing my family and my soon to be children with a life of having everything they need, and much of what they want.
The journey included some hard knocks and more than one bout with adversity and failure. However, by 28 I was given my first shot to be the CEO.
For me it was just part of the roller coaster ride, but along the way I learned so much.
Such as when you are in your 20’s, people more than twice your age really don’t want to take instruction from you. I also learned quickly that management and leadership are VERY different things.
Just a few of the lessons that have comprised the past decade of my life, within the book I share many more.
Broken into 3 sections where I delve into leadership, Social Smarts and Technology, and then finally Operations.
I start the book off with the meat of all of my success, and the key to all of yours. Ironically, leadership was the cause of many of my failures. While that may sound strange it was truly learning to be a better leader. A more humble, empathetic and genuine person that has made me a vastly better leader. Yet this can ALWAYS be improved upon.
I then jaunt into Social Media and Technology. As a Millennial who embraces both Social and High Tech, it is important to explore how these platforms are key to cross generational success as well as continued engagement with the next group moving into the workforce. Rapid proliferation has a great effect on leadership and business execution, so I tie the leadership with the operations together with a section that discusses some of what I know and more importantly have learned about leveraging various platforms.
Finally I finish by bringing you into Execution. We call it operations, and it is based on is the experiences I have had in trying to put ideas into practice. Most ideas are NEVER successfully implemented. If you can out execute your competition you may be able to get by without even having the best strategy. Most people don’t acknowledge this. I do, and that is because it is true.
But more than anything else, what the book is about, is you. It is about giving the reader a snapshot of how to lead anyone in any line of work. How to embrace the rapid change in every facet of our life. How to execute like only the most successful.
So I’ve finally done it.
And if even one of my ideas or experiences make a difference to you, then I accomplished exactly what I set out to do. However that will be left for you, the reader, to decide.
I appreciate your readership and look forward to sharing my journey with you.
