THE ART OF THE BOOK
The art of Lessons My Brothers Taught Me has been an inspiration to Charlie as he wrote the book and became an icon of the offices at Micro-Ant and Swordy Moon as posters of the art were hung up for laughs and inspiration. If you listened to the book and want to review the illustrations that accompany the stories read below. Remember, threats are not incentives, and laughter is the best motivation.
INTRODUCTION
Playing not to lose is different than playing to win. Similarly , a strategy based on not failing is different than a strategy based on succeeding. Your determination to succeed must form the basis of your plan.
INTRODUCTION
He who made kittens put snakes in the grass. He also put them in corporate legal departments. Remember, their policies don't have to be yours. Do not agree to terms that are biased against you.
CHAPTER 1
Laying Out a Future
Even the most brilliant ideas are subject to failing. Do not let this dissuade your form pursuing your dream. The true value exists more in the process of developing your ideas and less so in the result.
CHAPTER 1
Laying Out a Future
Understanding the principles of any field is vastly more important than knowing the vocabulary. Language can be taught, but comprehension must be experienced.
CHAPTER 1
Laying Out a Future
When setting goals, be sensible of what you aim for because what appears certain can turn volatile unexpectedly-and rapidly.
CHAPTER 1
Laying Out a Future
When a plan runs afoul and threatens your livelihood, STOP. Most likely, you are looking at things the wrong way. View it as an opportunity and respond so that the outcome is in your favor. Become the victor, not the victim.
CHAPTER 2
Developing Partnership
Beware of the dogs in the corporate woods waiting to fleece you. Don't let them take ownership of what is rightfully yours.
CHAPTER 2
Developing Partnership
Successful deals do not need elaborate selling, nor do they need to rely on Hail Marys. Shape your business such that reliable products and excellent customer service do the marketing for you.
CHAPTER 2
Developing Partnership
Skill is only as valuable as how it is managed and employed.
CHAPTER 2
Developing Partnership
Sometimes your company gets involved with people who conflict with its goals. Contain the situation quickly. Then deal with it decisively.
CHAPTER 3
Growing Pains
Beware of the Trojan Horse (or Turkey) posing as an opportunity. Common sense and character assessment will help determine if the people you are negotiating with have the wherewithal to hold up their end of the bargain.
CHAPTER 3
Growing Pains
If it's your IP, don't undervalue it and certainly don't give it away. It's an asset of your business that, in time, will become critical to scalability.
CHAPTER 4
Cultivating Culture
In business, don't react emotionally; gather the facts before you draw your conclusions, and respond with common sense.
CHAPTER 4
Cultivating Culture
Address and correct issues before they become false dogma. Where possible address them on the spot and do so with honesty and compassion.
CHAPTER 5
(In)effective Leadership
Threats are not incentives and tend to produce undesirable results. Lead with the carrot, not the stick.
CHAPTER 5
(In)effective Leadership
In business, you cannot operate solely on faith or intent. A strategy needs a good plan to succeed.
CHAPTER 6
A New Focus on Program Management
Confront potential problems openly and honestly before they become actual problems and someone ends up hanging from a tree by their underwear.
CHAPTER 6
A New Focus on Program Management
Effective program managers focus on the people, context, and systems as the main elements in their strategies and lead with compassion and orderliness.
CHAPTER 7
Succession
To find the great leaders of tomorrow, look first within your own ranks. If you hire right and manage well, this is where you will find them.
CHAPTER 7
Succession
Good leaders are only as good as the team willing to follow them.
CHAPTER 8
Company CPR
When managing a crisis, focus first on the cause before dealing with the effect. Fix the problem at the source. Any boater will tell you- don't bail until you find and plug the leak!
CHAPTER 8
Company CPR
Your reputation as a business is largely dependent on your behavior as a person. The quality of any business relies on the quality of the people operating within it.
CHAPTER 8
Company CPR
The quality of your resources is important, but success comes from your ability to manage them effectively
CHAPTER 9
Implementing Scalability
An ambitious goal requires an equally ambitious and well-managed plan, so do not take your eye off the ball(oon) once it is set in motion lest it go up/down in flames
CHAPTER 9
Implementing Scalability
Successful leaders react quickly and with purpose. When challenges arise, they are thrilled for the opportunity to act.
CHAPTER 10
Transition
Once you start feeling like you're boxed in, it's time to think of an exit strategy. It need not be elaborated, but try not to leave any black eyes in your wake.
CHAPTER 10
Transition
As in any adventure, the journey is every bit as important as the destination.
CHAPTER 10
Transition
If you look back after having made your decision, you made the wrong one.
CONCLUSION
Everyone comes equipped with an entire portfolio of lessons learned. Let yours be your guide toward succeeding at whatever goal you aim for.
CONCLUSION
Teamwork is a plan set into action while the mission is the fabric from which the team is sewn.
JIM'S AFTERWORD
When your persistence results in success, expect adversaries to provide you the flight of your life . When your hit the ground, get up and continue to persist. Never quit.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
C. Henning McCarrick
Charlie Henning grew up in the beautiful Yucca Valley, CA and aspired to be an artist from an early age. With the encouragement of her family, she dove in fully and graduated UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2021. Her imagination and synesthesia always connected her to people through color and she excels at creating characters that are full of emotions and unique personalities. In Lessons My Brothers Taught Me, C. Henning brings to life Charlie and his brothers and sister and their unbelievable stories with her witty and action packed illustrations.