ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THIS COULD GET DICEY.

Several of my friends who also happen to be authors say this section is one of the toughest to write. There are so many people deserving of thanks and recognition! I will keep this brief, understanding that I will likely commit errors of omission. I apologize in advance.

Being a teacher at heart, I realize how blessed I have been to have had great teachers along the way. At the University of Florida and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, I learned important concepts from incredibly bright people dedicated to sharing their knowledge. I have continued to learn as I have stayed connected to these two fine institutions.

As a professor myself, I had terrific colleagues at Ithaca College, the University of Alabama, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I learned a lot from my students, too.

I offer my thanks to private-sector employers and work colleagues over the years at Bankers Trust Company, Mountain Valley Spring Company, Mangan Holcomb Partners, and Advantage Communications. My friend Steve Layne had the (probably misguided) courage to go into the tiny-market radio business with me years ago. We never built that media empire, but it was a great experience nonetheless.

For nearly a decade (and counting), I have been a consulting principal with DSG Consulting. It is a privilege to work alongside outstanding consultants in a culture that supports human beings as a whole, with the opportunity to work for clients across industries and around the world.

Coaches also need coaches, and I have had some of the best in the world in Dorie Clark, David Nour, and Alan Weiss.

I am also grateful to those at Arkansas Business Publishing Group, the American Marketing Association, and many other journalists and podcasters who have allowed me to share my ideas with hundreds of thousands of working professionals.

Of course, my clients for consulting and speaking are the best professional source for inspiration and new ideas.

The journey of conceiving, pitching, and writing a book is not for the rational or faint-hearted. My literary agent, John Willig, has guided me through this strange new world with wisdom and warmth.

My family is, in my biased opinion, the best. My profound thanks go to my brother Bill and my in-laws (I have good ones!) for their support. My sons, Miller, Coleman, and Wilson, and my daughter, are the reasons I work hard.

And then there is my wonderful wife Alison. You know what I say about her? She is the best person I know. That's true. I couldn't manage to do anything worthwhile without her.