Until I return,  a quick holiday gift idea for the reader, poet, or hopeless romantic in your life:  Australian poet  kylie johnson’s books  ”count me the stars”  &  ”a once courageous heart”.  Her work is described as “simple, calming verse”  exploring romance, loss, hope, and simple humanity.    I describe them as breathtaking and a must read by a warm fire on a cold winter’s day.   A perfect under $20 gift.    Here is  just a sampling of her poetry (with my lonely starburst ornaments keeping her words company).  Happy December  1st, Y’all.

Good To Great –  Jim Collins

Following over 1400 companies over a 40 year period,  this book examines how 11 companies made the leap from a good company to a GREAT company.  What set them apart?   Outside of the bible,  I’m not sure any other book has provided me such strategic insight to life, business, and leadership.   From team building  ( getting the right people on the bus)   to true Level 5 Leadership  ( a leaders who works for mission first and foremost before self)   to the Hedgehog Concept ( find the one thing you do best and stick with it),  these are the principles I use to guide me in all my personal, business, and volunteer endeavors.   The principles work on every level of life.   For those specializing in the Non-Profit sector,  the Good to Great Supplement for Non profits builds an excellent  bridge from the for-profit sector.    Many of us will settle for good and miss out on GREAT.     If you don’t want to miss it,  then get this book ASAP.

Built to Last –  Jim Collins and Jerry Porras

The predecessor to Good to Great,   Built to Last examines 18 visionary companies who  have had added intrinsic value to the world and therefore have lasted.    Companies who held to their CORE values / idealogy.   They casted visions and worked towards those visions.  They didn’t give up.     As President of the Junior League of Little Rock, this book was the framework on which I based my term in leadership.   We gathered a team of past and present members ( the best of the best)  to re-evalute our CORE values.   We honed our vision statement – a BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL and then we set about to be clock builders.   Laying the frame work for others to build upon in the future.    All of these guidelines,  I have practiced personally in this last year.   I’ve drafted my personal core values and vision statement, set my big hairy audcaious goals,  and I’m slowing building a foundation for my future career and family.

Although  written prior to Good to Great,  I do believe the principles seem to flow more easily if Good to Great is read first followed by BUilt to Last.   Definitely a book to build your leadeship collection.

3.You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader – Mark Sanborn

How Anyone, Anywhere can make a positive Difference.   This little 101 page book is one I picked up on a whim in the airport boarding a flight to Dallas – A one hour flight.   I completed the book before we landed and managed to highlight a quote or revelation on nearly every single page.    The book is for ordinary people with the desire to accomplish extraordinary things…one tiny bit at a time.   Sanborn sets about to show how “genuine leadership – leadership with a ‘little l’ is not conferred by a title or limited to the executive suite.  Rather,  it is shown through our everyday actions and the way we influence the lives around us.”    Sanborn unpacks four very easy concepts that will set us apart.    I read this book four years ago when I was “stuck” in a job where there wasn’t really any hope of anyone above me in the coorporate ladder making a move anytime soon.   Although I know I’ve been made with a natural slant to push myself to excel,  it was this book that helped me to see that despite my “staff level” title,  I could be a leader by giving the very best I had to offer to my teammates, my clients, my company, my community and my volunteer activities.   Years later,  I’ve checked off some major accomplishments (with titles).  Now, I’ve returned to a life without a title – per se and I still want to give my best.  You will too after you read this quick inspirational book.  Perfect if you are stuck in a rut.

My heart is to see women grow in their leadership in a gracious way – whether you are climbing the cooperate ladder  and/or changing diapers at home.   If you are captain of  your tennis team  and/ or a participant in a bible study – each of us  ( whether we realize it or want it) has someone looking up to us.  We are leaders.     I hope you’ll pick up one of these three books and let it inspire you to greatness.    I’ll offer more later titles later.

For now, I’m  excited and blessed to be off this weekend to celebrate successful women at the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Power of the Purse luncheon and then onward to a weekend making new friends with other women leaders seeking God’s guidance.

‘Cause if you didn’t know it….

“some leaders are born women”

Cheers  Y’all!

Summer signifies a slower pace for most of us.   Lazing by the pool catching up on books we’ve wanted to read all year long.  In this day of social media, it’s been fun to see the names of books that my twitter friends have finished and recommend. I try to take note.   A few weeks ago my blogger friend, Jolly Goode Gal,  shared her summer reading on her nightstand.    (You’ll want to check the link to see her list as well as check out her blog – it’s one of my favorite sites!)

I’ve always been an avid reader.    Reading was in the air as I grew up in a town with one of the most quaint bookstores ever - That Bookstore in Blytheville. As a pre-teen it was called The Book Rack and it  is where I purchased every one of the Sweet Valley High Books before advancing to VC Andrews Flowers in the Attic series.   The store has become a destination for bibliophiles and new authors.    Not to mention it is a place that remains a stop for some guy named John Grisham.     I am thankful to Mary Gay Shipley – the owner – for putting my small southern delta hometown on the map for reading.

Earlier this week,  I already planned today’s post to be the books I’ve read this summer.     Then this morning, Don Miller ( one of my favorite inspirational writers)  blogged some startling facts about reading.    It appears not everyone grew up in a town with reading as a pastime and chief export.  Nor do folks spend their summer saturdays by the pool or time on business flights with a book in hand.   I’m shocked!    And I’m disheartened.    Miller states  70% of  Americans have not stepped in a bookstore in 7 years or that 80% of American Families did not purchase or read a book last year.     If you are reading this blog,  chances are you are not part of those statistics.    Whether you are part of these stats or not,  I hope my list inspires you to find a title that you want to pick up,  crack the spine, and enjoy.  ( and support the art of writing while you are at it!)   If my list ( coupled with the link above to Jolly Good Gal’s ) isn’t enough to inspire – then hop over to Don Miller’s blog today and see what a difference reading can make in your life…and the life of others.

I’ve amassed an eclectic mix of books this summer (starting in May)  with a heavy leaning towards Non Fiction.   I, also realize, my list may not be as astute as others –  which may explain why I’m a book club drop-out

The Summer At Tiffany by Majorie Hart :  a precious,  quick read.  perfect gift book

The Song is You by Arthur Phillips: an intriguing story of love and infatuation fueled by lyrics on an  ipod: note this is the only fiction I chose to read

What Happens when WomenWalk in Faith by Lysa Terkeurst: a practical bible study for busy women wanting to take a chance in life

I am not but I know I AM by  Louie Giglio: Giglio’s writing on faith  is straight foward, modern, and thought provoking and a good reminder – its not about ME. A good read for those in leadership roles.

Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald: just like hanging out with a really cool girlfriend

Fifth Ave, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson: A behind the scenes look at the Making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the birth of the modern girl

Desiring God by John Piper: my second time through this rich text of finding happiness in God

(Not Pictured)

Principle of the Pat by  Andy Stanley: a fresh, direct way of reminding us to keep our desired end in sight

The Encore Effect by Mark Sanborn:  delivering excellence in the performance of life.  ( a quick in-flight read with huge inspiration)

Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller: musing on Christianity from a non religious view – entertaining and insightful

Wicked by Gregory Macquire: the book, dark & tedious,  is nothing like the play of the same title which tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West.  One of two books in my life I’ve wanted to quit

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: Anthropologie and Oprah highly recommended this book of one girl’s monthly to-do list to happiness

A Touch of Grace  by Cindy De La Hoz- How to be a Princess the Grace Kelly Way:    Confession – I bought it because I liked the title  and cover.

Currently Reading:

Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Zappos CEO Tony Hseih

If you are wondering – yes,  I’ve read every single one of them this summer.  Do I always read this much?  Yes and No.   As I get back in the swing of public speaking, organizing a new ministry leadership team,  and a possible new business venture, my reading has increased.   Books inspire me.   If you want to borrow from my book shelf,  feel free to ask.    If you want to purchase a book,  Call That Bookstore in Blytheville and schedule a trip to my hometown.   You’ll be charmed for sure.

Lastly,  please feel free to leave further reading recommendations in the comments.  I’m always looking for my next great read.

Cheers and Happy Reading, Y’all!

“Do you remember the best summer of your life?”

There are days I swear I’m living in the wrong generation.  I feel like an old soul.   I’m mesmerized by the fashions of the 1940′s and 50′s.   The  club music of those days makes me swoon.  The tales of men going off to war and the women who waited for  their soldiers’ letters of affection tug at my heart strings.     This was a time when the most immediate form of communication consisted of a telegram or Morris code or heaven forbid, a long distance phone call.  All were prohibitvely expensive.   It was a time before facebook, twitter, email, and cell phones.   Movie Stars were stars.   And small town, wide eyed girls dreamed of the big city.

In her memoirs,  Summer at Tiffany,  Marjorie Hart captures the essence of the era as she tells of the best summer of her life.    In 1945,  she and her best friend Marty left the Kappa House at their Univesity to find summer positions as shopgirls in New York City.   In a twist of fate,  they find jobs as the first female pages of Tiffany & Co.    It was a magical time of discovery for a small town girl who suddenly was amidst the social elite, Hollywood Stars, and handsome midshipmen.

The book is an engaging page turner.  I picked  it up at mid afternoon and by bedtime, I had closed the cover on a fairy tale come true.   Mrs. Hart’s storytelling is conversational and peppered with her actual letters home.  I felt as if I was sharing a cup of tea with a dear old friend.      If, like me,  you prefer your poolside reading to be less taxing on your brain and heart (no tearjerkers please!) ,  this is a perfect little read and it’s a perfect little gift for a friend.

Cheers and Happy Reading, Y’all!