Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In LifeSkills: Discovering Relationship and Leadership Skills, Larry G. Dobbs recounts dropping out of school at sixteen, working at a service station, and serving seven years in the U.S. Navy, including roles as an aircrewman and flight simulator instructor. He later obtained a GED and attended junior college, attributing his career advancement to self-education through books and seminars. Dobbs details founding Mustang Monthly Magazine and other automotive publications, highlighting strategic planning, market research, and financial risk-taking. He outlines principles such as integrity, communication, conflict resolution, and lifelong learning, supported by examples from his life and others, including Jay Leno and Jesse Donald Knotts. Dobbs also discusses adapting to change, faith, leadership, employee empowerment, and health management, connecting consistent action and thoughtful decision-making to outcomes in both work and life over decades.

LifeSkills by Larry G. Dobbs is a self-help, memoir, and conversational-style guide to assist readers in achieving meaningful success through practical experience, thoughtful leadership, and intentional action. Drawing on his journey from the seventh child of sharecroppers to a thriving entrepreneur, Dobbs's lessons in communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are integrated well into the stories. Dobbs employs many quotes that highlight his shared strategies, such as his communication acrostic, The Keys to My Heart, and his SOAR system for empowering employees. Dobbs is a man of faith and leans into how he has used this to illustrate transforming obstacles into opportunities, whether it is in managing chronic illness or expanding a small newsletter into a multi-million-dollar publishing enterprise. Overall, this book is both motivating and practical, offering readers a blueprint for achieving goals with integrity, preparation, and smart planning.