What I loved most about learning that my book, Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance is a ** 2010 Axiom Business Book Award Winner ** is that the news came in the middle of the night, when I couldn't sleep, in an unexpected Google Alert. I immediately flashed on a lesson I learned when my first published work arrived via UPS many years ago. I was alone. I sat down in the garage, opened the box and there it was --- my name in print for the very first time --- as I dreamed. There was no band playing. No cheering crowd. Just a nice, warm feeling inside that a small dream had come true. There was a similarity in this experience.
I thought the time for winning had passed. No notification had arrived in late March. However, it did arrive on a perfect night in May about 2:00 AM. And what do most of us do in the wee hours of the morning when we can't sleep? Check email. The top item was my Google Alert. The first listing on the alert was from a blogger. It read: "Business Book Awards of the World - Winners..." and my name -- Debbe Kennedy --- was among the winners. This time, there seemed to be a band playing inside of me. It was exciting. Hope was alive! Again, I was alone. The whole house was asleep. No cheering crowd, but my fingers flew over the keys, finding my way to the discovery that yes!, my book, indeed had received the honor --- a Bronze 2010 Axiom Business Book Award for Human Resources and Employee Training. List of award winners.
The Axiom Business Book Awards - "Success through Knowledge" - celebrate excellence in business book writing with the understanding that business people are an information-hungry segment of the population, eager to learn about great new books that will inspire them and help them improve their careers and businesses.
I admit it, I'm deeply grateful for the acknowledgment and I hope it will be a catalyst to help others around the world get a chance to read my book. In some ways, I think periodically small blessings like this arrive to keep you focused on continuing the work you start when you write a book. This award is one of those Gifts. The book holds the wisdom of many thought leaders, mentors, sages, and teachers crossing all segments of society. I've had the good fortune to know many of them. Some I've never met, but they are very present in the book. When all the differences are put together, it is a virtual gathering of great minds and pioneering spirits coming together across time and distance to share knowledge and know-how with you.
ANOTHER UNEXPECTED GIFT
Interestingly, following day, I also received the message below in an unexpected email. It is from a young professional, who I've never met, but who had read my book. It also serves as still another affirmation. I share it with you because I think each reader adds a perspective from their unique vantage point that goes way beyond what I can say...
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. It really did give me a brand new perspective on my career progression and current professional environment. As unoriginal as this may sound to you, it helped me define who I was in the work place which in turn helped me mold my professional goals.The inspiration and motivation I received from reading your book was the final push I needed to pursue a personal goal of mine, which has been to get an Executive MBA.
I feel very fortunate to have read this book at a relatively early age. I have been recommending your book to all of my friends, who are just now finishing up their degrees, as I earnestly believe the perspective you provide on leadership is important for recent graduates and rookie employees to read. I thoroughly enjoyed your insightful perspective on leadership in an ever changing environment and the importance of innovation in an organization, and truly appreciated the personal challenges and objectives that your book laid out."
Other reader reviews
As I wrote in the preface of my book, my greatest hope for Putting Our Differences to Workis that it will be one of those books that you read, internalize, put into practice, and keep as a ready reference and guide for using your passions, intellect, knowledge, and skills to pioneer a new era---one that puts your signature on the twenty-first century---opening the way for the human dimension of leadership to reign.
May the the returns for your efforts leave an enduring imprint wherever you are called to lead the way. I welcome you on this journey.
Warmest regards to all,
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
founder, President and CEO Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies
Twitter @debbekennedy @onlinedialogues
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership,
and High Performance (Berrett-Koehler 2008)
Buy a Copy at Amazon.com
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| Leadership | INNOVATION | Diversity | Inclusion at work... Join me and futurist Joel Barker ONLINE for Tactics of Innovation: How to Get Buy-In for NEW IDEAS Webinar - JUNE 3 or SEPT 19. It's a professional development webinar to. Learn more... WEBSITE: www.howtogetbuyinfornewideas.com |
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