The Splendid and the Vile

I have read many books on World War II and possibly the definitive biography about Winston Churchill, The Last Lion by William Manchester. But, the stories about Word War II are so big and so compelling, there is a seemingly never ending number of volumes dedicated to the subject. Which is a fantastic thing because there is so much to learn from that period of time. And, personally, I have a never ending curiosity with the enormity of the task set in front of the Allies. 

My favorite character in the drama that was World War II is Winston Churchill. Possibly the most important person of the 20th Century, Churchill represents the tenacity, sophistication, and humor that was uniquely British during that time. He was a man that could, in the face of almost certain defeat, convince his countrymen and the rest of the world that they cold not just survive but win. I will never tire of reading about Churchill, both his triumphs and his flaws. 

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson is a fantastic history of the first year of Churchill's premiership. During that year were many victories and possibly more defeats - Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain among the two most famous. More than a history of the war at this time, Larson's book also focuses on the personalities and the relationships of the main players. How did the Churchill family survive the war? How did Churchill's closest advisors and secretaries survive? The hours worked, the fear of death, the day-to-day tasks of life. How did these people survive this incredible time? And, through all this Larson begins to answer the question, how did real Londoners survive this time? 

Of all the books I've read, I've never asked myself these questions. I've never thought about the fact that at night London was bombed by the Luftwaffe literally hundreds of times. But, during the daylight hours, Londoners still went to work?! They still did chores?! They still bought groceries (what was available to them was incredibly slim, however...)?! They went to church?! All the events of daily life still happened while war was literally raging all around them. Larson does an excellent job of illustrating this fact - Jock Colville's love life, Churchill's children's relationships, Max Beaverbrook's frequent breakdowns resulting in 14 resignations. 

It isn't a revelation that Churchill visited bombed cities. This is a hallmark of his leadership. He went to the people. While PM he never expected the people to come to him. Getting to those cities was a logistical nightmare - literally planes, trains, and automobiles. He brought foreign dignitaries and family members. At each stop he was lauded by the people. At each stop he wept for their plight. Then, he would board his train, take a hot bath, and drink massive amount of Champagne for dinner. 

The fact that Churchill had baths and Champagne as well as dinner has always struck me as a standard fact. I never truly asked, "How did Churchill get these things?" Larson address that, too. The PM's administration lobbying the Ministry of Supply that focused on rationing to afford him more rations than others. Churchill had to entertain, it was thought, because he was meeting with foreign leaders and that was what was expected of him and the government. It wasn't easy. The ministry expected frequent audits of the wine and food consumed. Yes, Churchill went through the war in more luxurious conditions than civilians, but it wasn't without its hurdles.

The fascinating thing about Larson's story is that it reads as just that, a story. It does not read as a dry history book. The characters are vivid, relevant, and flawed. Decisions are not always certain - decisions about the war and decisions about personal lives. Mary Churchill, for example, has to navigate the affections of a suitor that she doesn't love while also worrying about living through the next evening. It is somehow a historical book of non-fiction that is a page turner. 

Larson claims his inspiration came from moving to New York City after September 11, 2001 and finding himself fascinated thinking about how people lived their lives through the aftermath of that terrible day. His attention then turned to World War II, wondering how Britons lived their lives during that terrible year. To me, this thought process illustrates the genius that this book represents. Take a moment in time and make us care deeply about the players, exposing the truths and the issues to ultimately help us understand not only that period in time, but how our lives were changed and the way we live our lives today. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Churchill and World War II. It is both equal parts entertaining and educational. 

While I don't know for certain, I'm betting that the reason my Apple Watch has a mindfulness app is because of Thich Nhat Hanh the author of The Art of Living. Mindfulness is his primary belief and message in the book. Mindfulness leads to understanding. Understanding leads us to a better life. 

I don't read many books on religion. That's essentially what this book is - a set of, what I would call, "sermons" on the the religious doctrine of Buddhism. It was interesting to learn new ways of thinking about life - that's the lasting impact of the book to me. But, it was also interesting to think about how, like all religions, Buddhism is regimented in its practice and conservative in its viewpoint. (When I use the word "conservative" I mean that Buddhism is steeped in tradition like other religions. Yes, Buddhism suggests more tolerance than the word "conservative" might connote, but it is conservative nonetheless.)

That isn't to say I didn't find interesting concepts in the book. For example, "interbeing" is an amazing thought exercise. To truly believe that you are a part of everything and that everything is a part of you is powerful. No wonder meditation is such a big part of the Buddhist practice. To truly understand interbeing requires, at least for me, massive amounts of reflection and thought. 

The notion of "transformation" rather than "birth" or "death" is also compelling. The example given, to great effect, is that of a cloud. A cloud never dies, it simply transforms itself into rain, snow, vapor, etc. That is a powerful and tangible example, very different from me trying to comprehend that when a human dies, they are simply transforming into another consciousness and physical form. 

Living in the present moment is another concept that requires deep thought. Most of the time that people think about living "in the moment" the phrase is used to describe enjoying what you are doing right now rather than thing about the past or the future. In my mind there is also a hedonistic connotation to the phrase. For Thich Nhat Hanh, however, there is no past and the is not future. There is only the present moment. He does an excellent job of explaining how there is no past and no future, suffice it to say, this is a concept that, for me and most of the people I know, is foreign. I was raised to focus on the past and the future. My education was largely spent learning about the past so that we can develop a different future. Most of my career has been spent analyzing the past to predict future outcomes. To truly understand a world with no past and no future, only the present moment, feels like something that will take me a long time to understand. 

Since I'm not actively looking for a new way to live or a new religion, I was personally not transformed by this book. It is a powerful reminder how focused reflection, or meditation, can guide us and remind us how we are all connected. We cannot survive without each other and without the ecosystem that is Earth. Being deliberate about our lives and our thoughts is what defines The Art of Living. 

Let me start off by saying that this is a fan's book. If you don't love The Black Crowes, this likely is not the book for you. Hard to Handle is drummer Steve Gorman's memoir of 20 years with The Black Crowes. Those years were triumphant, humbling, and difficult, but never boring. 

I was gifted this book by a friend after a long night of listening to, and talking about, The Black Crowes. I was promised I would "love it." And, love it, I did. I couldn't put it down. (In all transparency, I love reading Rock 'n' Roll memoirs/biographies. There are many on the list.)

The Black Crowes brand is that of a Rock 'n' Roll jam band fronted by two asshole brothers who fought all the time and did a bunch of drugs. Based on this book, that brand is 100 percent accurate. Chris and Rich Robinson have spent their lives fighting with each other - actual fist fights as well as emotional battles for creative and financial control. Steve Gorman, as one of the founding three members, had a front row seat to all of this (And, if I am honest, was undoubtedly a contributor to some of this behavior. In this case, it takes three to tango.)

Aside from the brothers Robinson and Steve Gorman, there were was an impressive supporting cast members that made The Black Crowes a great band.

Johnny Colt on bass, Ed Harsch on keyboards (recommended by Chuck Leavell), and Jeff Cease, then Marc Ford, on lead guitar. Why were these the right musicians? Where did they come from? Largely unexplained. But they all turned out to be a perfect fit for the band. The lineup with Marc Ford is arguably their best. But my personal favorite is when Luther Dickenson joined the band. Johnny Colt was replaced by Sven Pipien, who is still touring with them. 

Every band needs key record executives that give them time, money, and encouragement to get moving. As is the case with so many bands in the 90s, Rick Rubin plays a major part. The band was signed to American Recordings. The lasting impact came from George Drakoulous, producer extraordinaire and giant-bearded just like Rubin. The impact Drakoulous had on the band cannot be understated. Then, there was Pete Angelus, the band's manager and a key creative force for videos, set design, and overall look. Angelus is a key character in the memoir always present, always diplomatic, always working tirelessly for the band. 

But, the most important supporting cast member to Gorman was Jimmy Page. He came on to the scene when The Black Crowes needed it most. They all revered Jimmy Page. And, Jimmy Page revered The Black Crowes. As a fan, their collaboration not only felt inevitable, but was powerful and enjoyable - a fresh update and reinterpretation of Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page energized Steve Gorman.

I have a few criticisms of this book. First, most of the chapters end with some sort of campy cliff hanger such as, "It would be a new beginning for The Black Crowes. Or, so I hoped." or "The fun was just getting started." I can see doing this a few times, but it is nearly all chapters. After the first few, the reader understands that the next chapter us going to expose some dysfunction that screws up the band. No need to keep reminding us. 

The other criticism I have is that there isn't enough about the songwriting. There were a few passages about specific songs coming together and personnel on each songs (Chuck Leavell played keyboards on Shake Your Money Maker, for example). But, not enough about the actual music and lyrics. This is probably because Steve Gorman did not write the music or the lyrics. His contribution was great, but he was not the creator of the catalog, so I'm not sure he has much to say. Or, perhaps that isn't what he wants to say about the band...

What Steve Gorman wants to say is that he got screwed by Chris and Rich Robinson. If half of what he writes is true, he did get screwed. Steve Gorman, however, willingly spent 20 years being unhappy. If the experience was so terrible, why stay? Any other band would have been thrilled to have him. 

As an outsider, it is easy to ask, "Why would someone choose unhappiness?" But, people do this all the time. I have had jobs that made me unhappy but I stuck with them for one reason or another. So, it isn't surprising that Steve Gorman would continue to choose The Black Crowes over other opportunities. (There were good times, too. But, they seemed few and far between.) Steve Gorman's beef with the Robinson brothers is financial. As of this writing, he is going through a lawsuit with both Chris and Rich to settle what he believes is inequitable compensation based on band revenues. If that is settled in his favor, I wonder how his opinion changes?

That's what makes Hard to Handle compelling. It is a wild and crazy story of a time that produced an absolutely fabulous live band and a catalog of songs that pushes every one of my musical buttons. At times the story is difficult to read. At times, it is funny. At times, it is just normal rock band bullshit. The book is multi-layered. It is a decent memoir. If you are a fan, pick it up. 

If you want to truly experience The Black Crowes at the height of their power, listen to the live album Freak 'n' Roll... Into the Fog. It is everything a concert should be. After all, it is the music that matters. 

For the last 10 years, I have been working through a three-volume biography of Winston Churchill entitled The Last Lion. I have finally finished the third book of the series, The Last Lion, Winston Spencer Churchill, Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965. I was concerned it wasn't going to happen...

William Manchester, the author of the biography died during the writing of the third book. But, before his death he befriended Paul Reid and entrusted the task of completing the final book of the trilogy. 

William Manchester was an exquisite writer. His subject matter was dense and complicated, yet he made the subject accessible and interesting. Yes, to get through three books on a single person, one has to WANT to read. But, Manchester's writing made me want to keep going. 

Paul Reid, picked up that mantle and continued in Manchester's tradition. Honestly, I couldn't tell where Reid's hand was writing without the posthumous influence of Manchester. From a continuity perspective, the three volumes read as if written by just one author. 

Then, there is the subject himself, Winston Churchill. It is difficult to distill Churchill in a single review. He is eminently complex. He was the last of his type - aristocratic, pretentious, often pompous and superior. He was also a man of action. Always moving forward. He was not always certain of the outcome but he knew forward was where he wanted to go. Churchill was a difficult man to know. He was a challenging friend. He was an incredibly smart and ruthless politician. He had a vibrant sense of humor and a biting wit.

Churchill spent decades in the House of Commons, representing both the Liberal and Conservative parties. He was the First Lord of the Admiralty. He was a Nobel Prize winning author. He was a painter. He was a professional orator and speechwriter. He served in the British Army. He was married with five children. He built rock walls and raised swans. 

Churchill made many mistakes, including some historically epic disasters. But, Churchill will always be remembered as the leader who brought the Britton and the world through World War II. It was Churchill that architected the key movements and battles of the war. It was Churchill who convinced the United States to aid and later join the allied movement. It was Churchill who knew that keeping Stalin close was the right strategic move. It was Churchill who also knew Stalin was not to be trusted. It was Churchill that saved the world from Nazism.

The most incredible thing to me about Churchill is that he was right over and over in his life. People did not want to believe him. He had burned too many bridges and acted inappropriately so many times in his life, people tended to dismiss him during the middle of his life. But, he was right about Europe. He was right about Hitler. He was right about Stalin. He was right about the tenacity of the British people. He was right about the what would eventually become the European Union. He was right about the importance of the Medeterrain. How? Where did his insight come from? Certainly he had experience in government. Certainly he studied and read history. All these played a factor in his thinking. But his ability to predict so many world affairs was uncanny.

While I am a Churchill fan, it isn't difficult for me to be critical of him. Churchill was not a great father. His children all had problems related to poor parenting, in my opinion. He did love his children, but they were not his life's work and perhaps should have been more important. Churchill drank too much - that is an understatement. Churchill essentially ran on alcohol, from the moment he awoke in the morning to the moment he went to sleep he was drinking. The descriptions are epic. How did the drinking impact his duty as a public official or parent aren't really known. But, based on what we know about alcoholism and the effects of long term use today, it is assumed the drink affected his work. 

Overall, Churchill was progressive. He championed many progressive laws and attitudes. But, at the same time, he was a British Empire loyalist. Keep the Empire intact, even if the subjects, of India for example, did not want the British Government involved. 

I'm fascinated by Winston Churchill. I'm also fascinated by William Manchester and Paul Reid who wrote such compelling biographies of this man. They captured his spirit, energy, and insight. They captured his emotions and personality so vividly. They put us in the room with him when decisions were made and strategies outlined. Manchester and Reid loved Churchill and that love for the whole man, flaws and all, is beautifully on display in The Last Lion. 

In October of 2021, Brian Burkhart, author of Stand for Something, asked me what I stood for. I said, "Education." I still firmly believe that. Education is a fundamental right. And, everyone is an educator. That is my goal as a business leader, to educate my team or provide them with educational opportunities. 

But, Brian's book got me thinking deeper about what I stood for. Two more beliefs came to mind as I read. I also stand for "fun" and "sharing." I want to have fun and create experiences that are fun for others. I also want to share what I know and the lessons I've learned. I get meaning and satisfaction from having fun and sharing with others. 

That's what Stand for Something did for me. It got me to think through what I really believe in and stand for. Is it silly that I would fight for "having fun"? Not to me. Everything I do should be fun in some way. For example, during the early days of one business, the work was hard. People resisted change. There was not much forward momentum even after the team made commitments. Not much was getting accomplished. The CEO I worked for didn't make the situation easier. He was both demanding and critical. I felt that my days were numbered. It was anything but fun. 

I kept thinking, "Why are we doing this? I didn't take this job because it was going to be a beat-down. Certainly, I wasn't hired so that we would fail."

So, I set up a meeting with my boss. I had one question for him, "Why aren't we having fun?" The company was growing. I was taking action on items we agreed were important. Yes, it was challenging work, but isn't that what we both signed up for? After discussing for some time, we got a clearer understanding of our positions and expectations. We shared and sorted out our goals and responsibilities. And, we figured out how to make it fun. Then, we steered the business to a successful recap. 

For a book to drive all that thinking, it has to be good. And, Brian's book is that good. Brian authentically captured his personality and passion. Reading the book, I can hear Brian actually saying all those words (Brian and I have known each other since college). 

His book has  great stories about beliefs and how those beliefs lead to actions. For example, Brian ruthlessly picks apart the McDonald's strategy for serving bakery items. Serving muffins increases the cost at McDonald's. The health conscious buyer won't eat at McDonald's and the loyalist doesn't want a muffin from McDonald's. Serving muffins is not core to the McDonald's brand or set of beliefs. Is this the sole reason McDonalds has had financial problems? No. But, does this decision to serve a product that isn't congruent with McDonalds core beliefs contribute to their woes? Absolutely. It is this type of connection/disconnection that Brian explores in his book.

Declaring what you believe is difficult. Making those beliefs part of your company or your job is even more difficult. Finding "congruence" is of paramount importance. 

Stand for Something comes with a book mark that has a place for you to write down your core beliefs; what it is you stand for. Not only is it a tool to get you back to the right place in the book, but it is also a tool that keeps you in the right place in terms of your beliefs. It is a constant reminder if what you stand for. 

I have very few criticisms of this book. Does it need to be 200 pages? Probably not. I bet it would be an excellent 50 page book, too. But, at 200 pages, you get more examples and stories, which is core to what Brian believes (it is still a fast read at 200 pages). The book is also a clear sales pitch for Brian's company, Square Planet, but I knew that going in. And, as a marketer, I'm all about using content to sell. "Content is King," as they say. Brian's point is still an important one - Stand for Something. 

Overall, this book is worth the read. If nothing else, it will get you off your metaphorical ass to ask the question, "What do I stand for? Am I living that?" And, when is the last time that happened?

I bought Last Train to Paradise at Florida Sea Base, a BSA camp on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. I was there with my youngest son for a week of SCUBA diving and I forgot a book - a little more  time at night than I originally thought... When I described the book to a travel companion, he replied, "Sounds like a book only YOU would like."

Admittedly, my expectations were low. As it turned out, I loved this book. It was a story that I had never heard before. It was full of colorful characters, especially Henry Flagler, himself. Even before I finished the book, I had sent it to my father and my mother-in-law - trains, disasters, exotic locations, all subjects both of them love. 

The story is told well. It is a great mix of traditional biography, reportage, and narrative. It is a quick read but full of interesting facts. It starts with Henry Flagler meeting John D. Rockefeller. As the two walk to work together in their early days, they hatch the plan for Standard Oil. After many years of building, Flagler is forced to move to Florida under doctor's orders for his wife's health. While in Florida, Flagler falls in love. He sees a blank canvas - his hotels up and down the East coast of Florida, all connected by his railroad. Once he hits Miami, Flagler decides to continue to Key West. In 1904 his idea was completely crazy. In many ways it was.

Flagler's railroad began as a way to connect Key West to the Florida mainland, making trade with Cuba faster, easier, and more lucrative. When the Panama Canal was approved, Key West became even more attractive as a potential deep water port. His push to Key West was largely self funded as his millions from Standard Oil were used to buy the supplies and labor for the effort. 

While Flagler only envisioned success, Mother Nature had other plans. 

Throughout the construction, hurricanes (unnamed at this time) ravaged the project with setback after setback including significant loss of life. After each storm, Flagler vowed to continue building. In 1911, two years before his death, Flagler boarded his private train car in St. Augustine and took the trip to Key West. A heroes welcome awaited him as he experienced every stretch of track and every towering bridge along the way. His vision of connecting Key West to the mainland complete.

The story of Henry Flagler is one of innovation and great personal passion. He spend millions of his own money on this project, the investment so great that it required him to sell shares of  Standard Oil to meet the cost of the project. It is also a story of personal triumph. Nothing was going to stop Henry Flagler from building his railroad to Key West. Along the way there was death, destruction, and displacement. None of those things forced him to stop. Flagler is an excellent example of resilience in the face of adversity. 

It is also a story of great tragedy. The hurricane of 1935 completely wiped out the railroad. Hundreds of railroad workers (repairs were constant) we killed. Miles and miles of track ripped from the ground, twisted and destroyed by wind, rain, and tidal surge. Possibly more compelling than the story of the building of the Florida East Coast Railroad to Key West is the story of its destruction. Compared to Hurricane Andrew, the 1935 storm is remembered as possibly more powerful and destructive. Unprotected in the Keys, services limited, and slow-moving information all combined to leave Keys residents and workers completely alone and unprotected as the storm raged. The railroad didn't survive and wouldn't be rebuilt. 

But, the legacy of the railroad remains. In what is the best chapter of the book, Les Standiford takes us on a driving tour of US 1, leaving Miami traveling to Key West. Not only is it a fun and accurate description of todays road, but he calls out the places where the road uses the original railroad right-of-way and bridge system for today's traveler. Were it not for Flagler, Seven-Mile Bridge may not exist today. Were it not for Flagler, the places we go to dive, party, vacation, and generally disappear would still be largely unknown. 

The Who hiring method, as pioneered by Geoff Smart and Randy Street of ghSMART, is a logical, thoughtful, insightful hiring process. The book outlines a four step process starting with a screening interview followed up by and a skills, top grading, and culture-focused sessions. 

The goal of this method is to first provide a standard framework for every interview. But, also it removes the wasted time and “voodoo” (their word, but accurate) involved in the interview process. How many times have all of us been in an interview situation, had nice conversations, connected about personal stuff, then left thinking, “That was enjoyable but what did I really learn?” This process erases that issue. 

I’ve been using a modified form of this process since early 2021. Even with small modifications, this process is better than any previously used processes for one simple reason - you truly understand the candidate at the end of all the interviews. Your interviews actually result in a hiring decision. 

This process isn’t for high volume applications. Running the full process for high volume hiring would be impossible. Use another framework for those applications. But, if you are hiring a single person, especially at the executive or management level, Who is insightful. 

The book has great examples from real use cases - leave it to a group of consultants to document their success and tell their stories properly… But, the examples do a great job illustrating the effectiveness of the hiring methods. 

The book is also a great primer of how to prepare for an interview. Even if your prospective employer isn’t using Who, the book helps you, as a candidate, read between the lines as well as understand how to prepare and answer interview questions. That isn’t to say there are right and wrong answers as much as it helps candidates think about the questions and responses that are meaningful and increase chances of hire. It is a good resource to have. 

One thing the authors omit, that I think is important, is that candidates enjoy such a thorough and thoughtful process. It is rigorous. But, candidates don’t mind rigor when the process moves forward quickly and in a logical progression. 

Talent is the number one predictor of success. Who will help you understand how to spot that talent accurately and repeatedly. 

The Gatekeepers by Chris Whipple is a look inside the White House at arguably the most important person in government besides the president - the chief of staff. Why is the chief so important? He (no female chiefs to date, although President Obama got close to naming a female chief.) is the one who decides what information gets to the president. If something doesn’t pass the chief’s test, it doesn't get seen by the most powerful person in the world. THAT’S influence and power - all from an unelected and unconfirmed government official. 

Chris Whipple's book chronicles chiefs starting with Nixon’s chief of staff H. R. Haldeman. He truly built the framework for the modern chief of staff. Oddly enough, every chief, in his own way, uses the system set up by Haldeman. 

Truthfully, the chief role began during the Eisenhower administration. The story goes that on day one of the Eisenhower presidency, a staffer handed Ike an unopened letter. Ike barked, “Never bring me a sealed envelope!” In that instant the chief of staff was born. I would have loved to hear more about Sherman Adams, who was Ike’s chief. But, alas, all we get is one short anecdote and then in to the craziness that was the Nixon presidency. 

What is clear from this book is that a weak chief dooms a presidency. Regardless of what you think of the president, this is true. If you think Carter was weak, there is an argument to be made that Hamilton Jordan was weak and therefore Carter couldn’t be successful. 

Conversely, a strong chief will drive a presidency forward. Regan’s presidency didn’t hit high gear until James Baker took the role of chief. Nixon's voice-activated recording system? Haldeman. Clinton’s balanced budget? Leon Panetta. Obamacare? Rahm Emanuel. Making Ford relevant and a legitimate challenger to Carter? Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney.

The Gatekeepers is crammed full or hirings, firings, legislative negotiations, and a ton of profanity - it seems most chiefs have that in common. Whipple does a good job of illustrating the mental exhaustion and toll the job takes on a person. Most chiefs cannot, and do not want to, serve for an entire term. Whipple could have provided a bit more analysis of situations. As it is, he stops from going too deep. The book does not have a conclusion, which is surprising. After all the interviews and research, it would be great to hear Whipple's analysis of the chief role throughout the years as well as wrap up the narrative for the reader. 

Also, don't get sucked in by the teaser of going "inside" the Trump administration. Not much juicy information included in that chapter. Hopefully most people are already aware of the amazing dysfunction that existed on Pennsylvania Ave during the Trump years. 

Overall, however, this was a worthwhile read. This book will make me think more deeply about a presidential candidate and who their friends and political associates are. One of those people will most likely end up as chief of staff.

"You and I probably don't know each other, and we may never meet. But, I do know this about you: You don't create your best work by yourself. It's always been when you were part of a highly aligned team. When you were part of this kind of group, you couldn't wait to get out of bed and get to work. This is because you knew you were going to accomplish great things - together. You were proud of the innovative, high-quality work you did. And you compare every other team you've ever been a part of to that one. It takes a great team to deliver extraordinary results."

I chose this quote to open my review of RE:Think Innovation by Carla Johnson because it is absolutely true and a great example of the person Carla Johnson is. This quote should be on page one, rather than page 152. (Full disclosure, I know Carla and consider her a friend.) What's fun about reading a book by a friend is that you see that person's personality within the writing, and that is totally clear in RE:THINK Innovation. 

The most important thing about this book is that Carla outlines a framework for innovation. Just like Carla describes, I've experienced first-hand that most people think there are those who are "innovative" and those who are not. It is the same with creativity, "So-and-so comes up with such creative ideas. I could never do that." Well, those days are over. Is the process foolproof? No. Is the process she outlines head-and-shoulders above how you currently think innovation happens? Absolutely, yes. 

Without giving too much away, the process follows five steps. Observe, Distill, Relate, Generate, Pitch. While the stages sound simple, each stage has a discipline and depth that makes the entire process work. For example, if you think you are observant, Carla teaches you that you aren't observant enough. And then how to document those observations as part of the innovation process. 

Each of the steps is critical. Don't skip one, Carla suggests. She does a nice job of explaining why each step matters - don't jump to conclusions or rush to a decision. Be deliberate. Be disciplined and see the process all the way through.

I enjoy the chapter on pitching most of all. Carla breaks down why the pitch is so critical. It takes more time than you think. It is something you practice. It is where ideas flourish or die. Like Carla, I've pitched poorly and I've pitched well. Those great pitches were all about listening, preparation, and active response. 

There are a number of other key points in the book that ware worth mentioning:

• The process for objective setting is simple and clear. Worth a try, for sure.
• A great section about receiving and giving feedback, something we can hear again and again. Suggesting that feedback is often flawed when it starts with "How should we" rather than "How might we..."
• Plus, B-to-B marketing examples! Bravo! Thank you for writing a book where B-to-B takes center stage in terms of creative marketing. 

Speaking of examples, they are excellent. They don't always align with the process precisely, but they are great example of how people have connected seemingly unrelated things to innovation in their respective businesses: love and mainframes, zombies and emergency preparation, Apple advertising and industrial products. 

All in all, my friend Carla, wrote a useful, interesting, and enjoyable book. It is the kind of book that I'd give to my team and have them read the first part, then use that process to figure out what needs to change on our team or with our innovation methods. I guarantee we'd have a fantastic discussion based on RE:Think Innovation.

If, like me, you have a desire to be a CEO one day. Or, if you want to know what the CEO does, The Great CEO Within is the book for you. Billed as a "tactical guide," it does not disappoint. It is a fast, enjoyable read. Matt Mochary's writing is clear and concise with plenty of examples. He also invited some friends to contribute. Extended sections by Alex MacCaw and Misha Telavera give the book a depth that only comes with experience. 

Mochary covers everything the CEO of a startup would need to know - except the "having an idea" part. He assumes you already have that covered. But, he does talk about the importance of having a co-founder, how to bring in the first few members of the foundational team, as well as so many other useful topics, including:

• Personal health
• Culture building
• Measurement, goals, OKRs
• Collaboration and company organization
• Hiring & Firing
• Accepting feedback

The book is packed with insightful information and resources. Tim Sanders would be proud of how annotated my copy is. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give Matt Mochary is that the book changed some of my behaviors. I'm now Inbox Zero. I no longer have my mobile phone at my bedside table. I've begun blocking out time to work on my top goal projects - all of us, no matter the role are asked to deliver something... 

And, I expect there to be more as I think about the book and the suggestions for organizing calendars, build repeatable processes, and develop team goals. 

I highly recommend The Great CEO Within. 

I’m not an Elton John fan. But, his music has been around me my entire life. The first song I remember falling in love with was Jailhouse Rock by Elvis. The next was likely Crocodile Rock. I have a memory of walking home from kindergarten singing it with friends. So, like most people my age, Elton John has always been a part of my life. 

Me by Elton John is well written. I keep looking for a ghost writer or another author in the credits, but there isn't one. Just him. And If that is truly the case, he’s a good writer. Phrasing, pacing, authenticity. Those exist in the book. I realize an editor has a lot to do with those things, too, but somehow I feel like these are his words.

It is also the most self-centered autobiography I’ve ever read. That may seem like an oxymoron. But, somehow he makes the story of his life TOO much about his life. Too braggy. Too fantastic. I can’t put my finger on how to express this other than to say, the book is more of a string of gossip than a story about the music. And, the gossip makes Elton John look like a hero in the end. 

The amount of gossip is outrageous. I’m sure the publisher had to fact check and get some of the information approved. But, it is, “she did this!" and, "he said that!” which, after a while becomes a joke. But, then, I realized that this is how Elton John’s life was (and likely still is). Full of famous people and gossip. 

One fact is clear, it must be awful to grow up not being able to be your true self. Hiding the real you inside. The impact of that on Elton John’s life is so clear. The world has come a long way since he was a child, but I’m not sure we have come far enough. When a person cannot be themselves, fully, our society loses. It is a testament to Elton John for helping the world see that there is beauty in all people, especially in homosexual relationships. His music is one thing, the impact he has had on tolerance is immeasurable. 

His mother was horrible. She just got worse as she aged. It always amazes me when parents are so terrible to their children. Why have children if that is how you are going to act toward them? No excuse for her behavior. I can’t believe how gracious Elton John was to his mother through the years. Another example of temperance and tolerance. 

There are other rock 'n' roll biographies I like better. Other musicians that I prefer. I’m not sure this book is for everyone. It can be graphic and straightforward in a way that would make some people uncomfortable. I’m glad I read it. I feel like I understand Elton John more than I did. I feel like I’m more focused on letting people be who they are.