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Before Leadership Values: An Introspection was self-published, I had an interesting experience with two large publishing houses. The first publisher was very complimentary toward the book but eventually rejected it because “It’s just not what we’re looking for.” The second publisher wanted to publish the book but insisted on modifications. They said, “It’s just a little too creative (What!?). But more importantly, there’s not enough science in your book. You need to add some more charts, graphs and scientific study outcomes. Gary, so much of this information is just your opinion.”
We went back-and-forth for two months with me repeatedly noting that so many of the books published today are “just somebody’s opinion.” I reminded them that people live through a specific or noteworthy event or period and then write about their observations, thoughts, emotions and learning. The publisher countered with, “That’s true, Gary, but you’re not famous.”
In the end, I both won and lost that battle with the publisher: I lost because they declined to publish my work … and I won because I did it my way.
So that’s what Leadership Values: An Introspection is: a book full of observations, thoughts, emotions and genuine learning …. penned by a nobody…. presented in non-scientific language.… but laser-focused on real-world leadership challenges.
I’m proud of the thoughtful experience-based explanations I developed for understanding the fourteen values. But I have to admit that for most readers – it’s all about the stories.
Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite
Matching the power, authenticity, and personal intimacy of Dale Carnegie’s iconic gem elucidating great leadership (friendship) qualities and values, Gary. F. Appleby’s contribution to this tremendously important subject, Leadership Values: An Introspection, is every bit as timely, perceptive, and applicable to becoming a better human being as was Carnegie’s little masterpiece. In a similar “do-as-I-do, not-as-I-say” exemplary style, Appleby invites you into a very comfortable, self-assessing, non-judgmental counseling session on how to be a much better, more effective leader. With plenty of real-life examples – both supportive and cautionary – to clarify and illuminate his points, Mr. Appleby leaves no confusion whatsoever as to his meanings and suggestions.
In the place of honor among 14 specific leadership qualities discussed by Gary F. Appleby in Leadership Values, integrity reigns supreme, though integrally connected with the rest. As a powerful statement indicating his commitment to this primary quality, the author – a lifetime firefighter promoted often to higher stations of responsibility and authority – chose to self-publish his deeply thoughtful, highly intelligent book, rather than compromise his own values for the concretized whims of a market-obsessed, mainstream publisher. The consequence for the reader is a much more accessible, intimate, and interesting treatment than is likely to be found in most other self-help books. Doing this, Appleby brings honor to the role of the independent author and provides to any professional leader a major new resource more personally rewarding and interactive than lesser examples he might encounter. Proving, as the author adjures, that “Staying true to your positive values is the rudder that steers you toward correct decisions.” Writing Leadership Values was a powerfully correct decision.
