Today, I have 2 copies of the book to give away to you, dear readers.

Win Saving the World at Work

It’s very simple: Explain what you are doing to make the world at work a better place in the comments box.

Please note: If you write an article about this on your own blog, please make sure the trackback shows up in the comments so you can be entered in the contest.

2 random commenters will each win 1 copy of this wonderful book.

Contest runs until 9 PM October 1st, 2009. You must provide a valid e-mail address to win. 1 entry per person, random commenters will be selected using the random number generator at http://random.org

If you can’t wait to win a copy, pick up your copy at http://bit.ly/relaunch.

Post from: EveryJoe

Win Saving the World at Work

A free copy of The Carrot Principle for commenting on Don’t Say I Love You and share your favorite Thank You tip.

A free copy of The Richest Man in Town for sharing your best execution tip

2 free copies of The Dog Poop Initiative for sharing your best initiative tip

And the winners are:

Carrot Principle Winner is Nancy McGinnes who offered 2 simple thank you tips:

What’s the BEST WAY you’ve heard someone say thank you in your company?

Well, it’s not only the action but the personal joy behind it. My favorite was a handwritten note from my manager with two movie tickets enclosed. Not expensive, but very meaningful. Second would be recognition in front of the department with an explanation of what I had done. Tied with that was the time we nominated our top support analyst for HDI Analyst of the Year (total surprise to her) and she won, got a lunch and industry recognition!

Richest Man in Town winner is Julie H. who offered this great tip:

For work items, I rely on the Outlook Tasks tool heavily. I’m a big list maker & get satisfaction checking of accomplishments. For personal goals it’s more of a challenge. I find that I accomplish more when I’m accountable to someone else. So “paint the chairs” becomes “call ABC Wednesday & let them know the chairs have been painted”.

Dog Poop Winners are:

Diana Gourley for sharing this tale of scooping the poop:

Mine is a simple example of how taking care of “poop” can make a difference, but I think it illustrates the principle well.

After living in the same neighborhood for seventeen years, our family moved to a new area where I didn’t have friends or even meaningful connections. Because of this, I sulked and sang the sad “Oh, woe is me song” for a while. However, it didn’t take long for that lament to grow old. I was tired of feeling sad and lonely, so I decided to do something about it.

A short time later, at the end of our church’s Christmas party, I volunteered to scrub the pans that had gooey cheese and potatoes stuck to them. It was hard work, but I didn’t mind because scrubbing those torturous pans solved my woes. Suddenly I was a favorite in the kitchen. When people came in with more dishes they would ask me, “So how did you get stuck with the pans?” Before I could answer, the other women in the kitchen would say things like, “Diana is on our good list. She volunteered to scrub the pans.” Or “We like her. She chose to scrub the pans. She’s our friend.” And I was. It only took about two hours to clean up the kitchen, but after that,someone always said “Hi” or smiled at me during church, and I never felt lonely again–all because I chose to scrub some dirty pans.

Attack! for sharing this poop story:

Phil,
First I have to tell you how much I enjoy my 10pm feedburner emails from you…It’s often the idea that closes the book on my day and begins my “deep thinking” train of thought for the next day.

Onto Poop. I work in a large project management organization pushing papers and talking on the phone to get things done. In the realm of business stratification, my position is closer to the cleaning crew than that of the CEO.

A couple of years ago I was working on a project team (as the happy grunt-worker) and ended up with a bully Team Leader. She used drama and embarrassment to dominate the situation when she was stressed. The company culture has a history of allowing this kind of negative behavior since it is a means to an end. I didn’t recognize the warning signs soon enough, and Bam! I failed on that project. At the time, I thought I was going to be fired, but I wasn’t.

A handful of successful projects, and probably a year later, I overheard her berating a coworker in the middle of what I call “cube-land”, since it’s a sea of grey cubicles. I pushed my chair back and sternly corrected her behavior, equally as loud as she had been. “You need to take this somewhere else! In fact, there is no reason for you to speak this way at all!” She apologized, and I quickly snapped, “I don’t need an apology, it’s [name] that you should apologize to!” Instantly, I emailed her manager and documented the situation and generally made her day difficult.

Despite time and healing, I still was sore and guarded when in a room with her. Then she got promoted again to the highest level of leadership in the department, while I sat on the same level. I could have been jealous, upset, or petty, but I decided in that moment, that enough was enough. I emailed her and gave her congratulations. I told her that she deserved the promotion (she did – her projects are always on time and on budget) and that she was going to go far.

The next time I saw her in the hallway, she HUGGED me and said “Your words mean more to me than any others! You are a much better person than I am, I could never have forgiven me if I were you!” Now we are even Facebook friends, and she has even invited me to work on another project with her.

I gracefully declined that invitation to work together, but the point is – by standing up to her, I made a difference for both of us. We both got the freedom to grow as human beings. Yes, she may be at a higher level than me, but I am the leader for her.

I picked up the poop and led the way.

Thanks to everyone for participating! Stay tuned for more free books! If you’re a winner, please e-mail me your address so I can get you your winnings soon!

Image created at http://imagechef.com

Post from: EveryJoe

We have some winners!

• Part 1 with Phil Gerbyshak and Rick Cecil
• Part 2 with Phil Gerbyshak and Rick Cecil
• Part 3 with Phil Gerbyshak and Rick Cecil
• Rick’s reflections on the series

I share these with you in case you want to know more about who I am, what makes me tick, beyond just “Phil the Slacker Manager.” It’s honestly the most I’ve ever shared of myself in an interview. Rick’s style was very conversational, and I shared some really interesting stuff.

I share it with you because though I try my best to be a good manager, I still make plenty of mistakes.

Can you relate to that?

If you don’t care about any of that, I’ll leave you with 3 other things:

• Win a free copy of The Carrot Principle by commenting on this post
• Win a free copy of The Richest Man in Town by commenting on this post
• Win a free copy of Dog Poop Initiative by commenting on this post

Photo credit to Phil Gerbyshak. This picture is from quite a few years back, but it is still one of my favorites! Happy birthday to my brother who turned 33 yesterday!

Post from: EveryJoe

A little more about Phil Gerbyshak

Your advice to me 5 years ago rings as clearly in my head as if you’d said it to me 5 minutes ago: If not you, who? If not now, when? The time will never be JUST RIGHT. Make the leap of faith and dive in RIGHT NOW, and your life will be blessed for the decisions you make. Though it may not be easy, it will be worth it, for you will have enriched the lives of others.

Here’s my story about initiative.

5 years ago I heard Kirk speak to an organization I was barely a member of. He shared the advice above, and it hit me right in the heart. I realized then I could no longer sit on the sidelines and watch life pass me by. I volunteered not long after that meeting to become the treasurer of the organization. 2 years later, I became president of the organization, and last year, I was re-elected to my second term as president and now sit as a regional director for the same organization. And my life is better for the relationships I’ve made and the things I’ve learned.

Things are better for me because I volunteered and stood up to be counted.

It’s Kirk and his wife Rebecca’s 18 year wedding anniversary this week, and I thought I’d share a little poop with you in honor of Kirk.

Why poop?

Sorry, I forgot to tell you…One of Kirk’s book is called The Dog Poop Initiative. It’s a little book about the power of initiative, about taking initiative in your life and not letting life pass you by. Powerful advice in a cartoon package!

You can use this book talk to your team about the enormous power of initiative, in a very non-threatening way. Kirk tells a true story about how picking up the poop can set a fantastic example for others, and change their trajectory.

How can you win poop?

In honor of Kirk, I’d like to collect some initiative stories. Some stories about how little things that you’ve done have had great results. Whether it was picking up a piece of paper or standing up to a bully, share your stories. We learn best by the stories we share with others, for that’s how our grandparents passed their stories down to our parents, and how things carry forward.

I have 2 copies to give away. US residents only. When Kirk gets back, we’ll talk about his 2 favorite entries, and I’ll share the winners with you. Contest ends at 5 PM Central time August 20th, 2009.

Good luck winning some poop!

The Dog Poop Initiative photo from More Better Books

Kirk Weisler photo from the private collection of Phil Gerbyshak

Post from: EveryJoe

Want free poop?

Fast forward 3 years, and now Pam’s book is out, and it is FANTASTIC! I’ve thumbed through the whole book and I really love what I’ve read thus far. It’s inspired, inspiring, and powerful stuff for anyone looking to bust out of the corporate rat race and do their own thing.

As soon as Escape from Cubicle Nation came out, I rushed to buy a copy, for I knew this masterpiece was one I had to read and savor. As one of Pam’s faithful readers, I also had the opportunity to get an extra copy to give away to a friend. And you, dear readers, are my friends.

Before I give you the skinny on how you can win a copy of this book, I wanted to give you a few more resources from Pam, so in case you don’t win, you realize you NEED to buy this book for yourself

• Download a sample chapter here
• Video of Pam inspiring us
• Escape from Cubicle Nation blog

How can you win?

Tell me why you need this book or what your plans are for moving from corporate prisoner to thriving entrepreneur.

Write a post linking back to this one so you show up in the trackbacks or leave a comment below.

Contest ends at 7 PM central time Wednesday June 3rd, 2009, with winner announced Sunday June 7th no later than 9 PM central time. Random number selected from entries by entering your comment number at http://random.org. Contest open to US residents only. Sorry folks.

Post from: EveryJoe

Book Giveaway: Escape from Cubicle Nation

I got to spend some time with Raj this past weekend, and not only does this book help your thinking, Raj does too! If you ever get the chance to connect with him at a speech he’s given or even for a cup of coffee, TAKE IT!

This little book reminded me there is only one thing that is under my control in these crazy times: That I can choose to have an UPBEAT attitude that’s recession-proof.

That’s a simple, yet extremely powerful, tip. It reminded me the true power I have is over me, and nobody else.

As a way to share his knowledge with the world, Raj gave all the attendees of SOBCon a free copy of his book, and I asked Raj for a few extras to offer you, and being the wonderful guy he is, he obliged!

How can you win?

Share your best tip for staying positive in negative times.

Simple, yet effective. Stay Upbeat and enter to win Upbeat Now!

All entries must be received by next Thursday May 14th, 2009 at 5 PM. I’ll announce the winner soon after that. Open to residents of the US only.

Image courtesy of Upbeat Now at Amazon.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Be Upbeat: Win a Book

A little about the book:

The 2008 US Olympic Men’s Basketball team won the Gold Medal, so Coach K wrote this book to memorialize his experience, and to share the lessons he learned from coaching so many strong egos. Many of the lessons are delivered through the lens of basketball, which you’d expect from a basketball coach.

His biggest lesson: Develop relationships with as many of the team members as you can, because you never know when you might need someone to step up and help out. GREAT lesson for managers at all levels.

How can you win?

Leave a comment about your favorite leadership tip. Include a link to an article or a book or a quote that moved you.

Contest closes Thursday April 30th, 2009 at 7 PM central time, with winner selected at random by the random number generator at http://random.org Winner must reside in the US. Please use a REAL email address so I can contact you to get your address.

Post from: EveryJoe

Gold Standard: Win a Copy

Her comment was randomly selected. Here’s what she said about using one of the three laws:

A great law from a Project Team I am currently working with:

“Open Exchange of Ideas and Knowledge” defined as:
1. Although we each have primary responsibilities, we collectively own the success of the implementation.
2. We expect everyone to share their ideas and opinions, in a collegial and respectful way, so that we can look at problems from different perspectives and zero-in on the best solution.
3. We have numerous experienced, talented people on this project and we expect to benefit from their knowledge.
4. We also recognize that there are often multiple ways to solve a given problem and expect those who “own” challenges to solicit input from teammates and evaluate pros and cons before settling on the solution.

Other commenters include:

Tom J who shared:

The one management law here is “When in doubt, run to the CEO.” I think it does what the CEO intends, which is to keep him “in the loop.” Unfortunately it has the major unintended consequence of destroying any sense of team and rewarding childish behavior.

Rekha who shared:

Become a Master of Change
The Transformation Initiative is asking all team leaders to support the change, communicate it to the team members, and be the master of change when this initiative starts rolling. Many team leaders are for it; many are against it. Change has been in the business world for many years.

Thanks to everyone for playing! If you didn’t win, you can still buy your copy of The Three Laws of Performance for under $20 on Amazon.

Look for another free book giveaway soon!

Book image courtesy of Amazon.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Three Laws of Performance Winner

Image courtesy of Three Laws Visualized

I thought it was especially cool that the authors of the book used a Wordle to show what the key ideas were in the book, just like I’ve mentioned using Wordle to visualize your words.

The premise of the book is simple: There are three laws that will always affect performance of a person or an organization – just like any of Newton’s laws will always have an effect on you.

The three laws are:

1. How people perform correlates to how situations occur to them
2. How a situation occurs arises in languages
3. Future based language transforms how situations occur to people

I have 1 copy to give away to 1 random US reader, who answers this question:

What is one management or leadership law at your organization, and how is it working for you or your organization as a whole?

If you don’t want to wait to see if you’re lucky, you can buy a copy of Three Laws of Leadership at Amazon, or you can learn more about the ideas in this book by reading Steve & Dave’s Three Laws of Performance blog. Contest ends on March 27, 2009, with the winner announced March 29, 2009, done by a random number selected from http://random.org

Post from: EveryJoe

Three Laws of Performance: Free Book!