This week, I want to share my gratitude for books and the impact they’ve had throughout my life and work. I’m writing from sunny Key West, where I’m meeting with my mastermind group and sketching out early ideas for my next book. There’s something about warm air, ocean breeze, and a fresh notebook that pulls the truth right out of you. Maybe it’s the quiet. Maybe it’s the company. Maybe it’s the gift of uninterrupted thinking.
What I know for sure is this: I have deep gratitude for books and for everything they’ve given me over the years. My gratitude for books extends beyond mere appreciation; it’s a profound acknowledgment of their role in shaping my journey.
Before stages, leadership workshops, or conversations about keeping great talent, I was in industrial and medical sales, logging 36,000 to 40,000 miles annually. My car became my university on wheels. A stack of library cassette tapes rode shotgun, teaching me how to communicate better, connect more deeply, and navigate the tough parts of leadership long before I formally stepped into that world.
Later, it was paperbacks squeezed into my carry-on, audiobooks keeping me company on long drives, and eventually my Kindle, a lifesaver during those “hurry up and wait” stretches in airports. Books were my companions, my teachers, and sometimes my sanity.
Why I Have So Much Gratitude for Books
Books have a way of sliding into your life at the exact moment you need them. They don’t criticize. They don’t interrupt. They don’t expect anything in return. They simply offer perspective when your own feels cloudy.
Some books challenge you.
Some comfort you.
Some open a door you didn’t even know existed.
And when you’re building a life, a career, a business, or a message that matters, the right book at the right moment can change everything.
That’s why gratitude for books isn’t just nostalgia, it’s acknowledgment. Books shaped how I think, how I lead, and how I show up for others. They’ve been patient guides through every transition, every reinvention, every “okay, now what?” season.
A New Chapter on the Horizon
And speaking of chapters… here’s what I’m working on now.
I’ve officially started writing my next book: THE SMART PLANT: A Survival Guide for Manufacturers Facing AI Disruption
For the leaders I serve, especially in manufacturing, construction, and skilled trades, this moment in history feels big. AI is transforming the shop floor faster than people realize. Roles are shifting. Expectations are changing. And beneath the excitement sits something quieter: apprehension.
Not fear. Just uncertainty.
My goal with this book is simple:
Bring clarity where there’s noise.
Bring humanity where technology dominates the conversation.
Help leaders stay grounded, courageous, and connected as the future unfolds.
How You Can Shape This Book
Books are built on lived experience, not theory. And while I bring my own stories from the shop floor, leadership programs, and decades of working with industry, I want this book to reflect your world too.
If you’ve seen changes in:
- hiring
- skills gaps
- workforce readiness
- automation
- morale
- communication
- safety
- leadership development
…I want to hear it. Real stories make books resonate. They turn a set of ideas into a guide people actually use.
If you’d like to share your thoughts, hit reply and tell me what’s shifting in your world.
(It may help thousands of leaders who feel like they’re navigating this transition alone.)
A Reflection for You
Books have been some of the most generous teachers in my life. They’ve shaped the way I think, work, and lead. They’ve helped me build a business rooted in gratitude, connection, and truth. And now, they’re helping me build something new for a world that’s changing fast.
So today, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one book that made a lasting impact on you, and why?
Your recommendation might be exactly what someone else needs next.
And if you’re open to sharing a quick thought or challenge you’ve seen around AI and the future of work, it could help shape the direction of THE SMART PLANT. I’m grateful to have your voice in this journey. If you want to see what else I’ve written, you can check it all out here.
