Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 224
Vendor: Howard Books
Publication Date: 2013
Dimensions: 9 X 6 (inches)
ISBN-13: 9781451675023
Description:
"In
One
Question: Life-Changing Answers From Today’s Leading Voices (Howard
Publishing, April 2012),
Social
commentator and radio host, Ken
Coleman invites readers to peer over the shoulder of a master interviewer’s
conversation with 34 of America’s most notable influencers including political
candidates, business leaders, best-selling authors, and religious newsmakers of
our time. Their responses on the topics of succeeding, surviving, and sustaining
are sure to inspire, motivate, and at times, surprise
readers.
·
How
does President Jimmy Carter suggest
we accept change in our lives and learn to reinvent ourselves in new
seasons?
·
What
is Coach Tony Dungy’s advice for
achieving success while maintaining
integrity?
·
Where
did Senator John McCain find the
courage to adhere to his conscience and sacrifice his freedom while being held
as a Vietnam POW?
·
How
does Dan Cathy of Chic-fil-A view
the value of passing the torch of leadership through the generations?
In
One
Question,
Coleman unpacks insight, wisdom, and knowledge on a diversity of relevant and
timeless character traits, including Niche (John Maxwell); Authenticity (Randall Wallace, Oscar-Nominated
screenwriter); The Now (Andy
Stanley, Pastor of North Point Community Church); Vision (Pastor T.D. Jakes); Starting Over (Dave Ramsey, syndicated radio host);
and Reciprocity
(Tom Zigler, CEO of Ziglar). Potential
(Robin McGraw); Influence (Andy Andrews); Difficult Relationships
(Les Parrott); Letting Go (Henry Cloud); and Fear (Michael Hyatt).
Coleman
reminds that Jesus was able to instruct and induce change by using questions to
reveal truth and transform those in His presence. Coleman believes that asking
the right
question can reveal truths that we might not otherwise know, allow us to get to
the heart of the matter, and provide transformational answers that we can act
on.
With
each thematic chapter, Coleman weaves personal stories reflective people and
moments that have impacted him over the last 35 years of his life and taught him
invaluable lessons regarding life. These landmark events include meeting his
wife, their marriage, the grief they endured when their newly adopted baby died
in the neonatal unit due to complications from the birth mother’s drug abuse,
and the joy they experienced as parents from their biological and adopted
children. "
---
My Thoughts:
It is hard to find a book that both my husband and I are excited about reading. But, when I told him about One Question: Life-Changing Answers From Today’s Leading Voices, and how it lets the reader feel like they are sitting in on interview conversation with 34 of America’s most notable influencers, including our favorites like Dave Ramsey, John Maxwell and Tom Zigler, he couldn't wait for the review copy to arrive either. :-) Luckily, I am home all day, so I got the mail when this review copy arrived. And, surprised to have the girls both take a nap the other day at the same time, I found myself having almost two hours of quiet "me time," which I used to read this book.
I love how this book is set up, with each chapter being designated for a single interview with influential people. You can't help but reflect on what you have read when you reach the final word in each chapter. And, the lessons you learn and can apply to your life are priceless. I found myself highlighting quotes and sections of each chapter, that resonated with me, and that I wanted to talk about with my husband. Again, usually when I read a book, it is not one that I can sit down later and discuss with my husband. But, with this book, we have had some amazing conversations about the notable influencers and their interviews.
Ever wished you could ask a notable person you admire just one questions? If so, what would you ask them? Well, thanks to Ken Coleman and his new book, a single question is posed, and their encouraging and inspiration responses will change your life -- for the better. :-) Like I said, 34 notable influencers were interviewed, and of those I have to say that my favorites were Jimmy Carter, Dave Ramsey, Dan Cathy, Tony Robbins and Seth Godin. I have read many of their books in the past, but have to say that I was surprised to learn more from these people with just one question posed, rather than their other books.
Not only is Ken Coleman asking a question of these notable influencers for inclusion in this book, but he also applies what he has learned from them to his own life, oftentimes relating them to instances in his personal life. This is makes you want to stick with the book and continue to read, as you find yourself trying to apply what you have learned to yourself. Take for instance Ken's question posed to
When a child brings home a C, a D, or an F, what should the parental response be in light of what you believe about focusing on one’s strengths? -- to Marcus Buckingham, author of the best selling 1999 book, First, Break All the Rules. Marcus Buckingham’s "counterintuitive message of focusing on our strengths instead of trying to improve upon our weaknesses," made Ken Coleman question if Marcus' principles could be applies early on in a child's life and it if would prepare them for a much smoother transition into adulthood. Applying what he had read and learned from Marcus, Ken shared his personal experiences with his son Ty. Here is an excerpt from the book, just to give you can idea of how Ken uses what he learns from his 1 question (in this instance with Marcus Buckingham) with these notable influencers, and shares it in such a way that we can't help but want to apply it to your life:
"Buckingham’s words seemed to make sense at the time, but they’ve really proved true since Ty entered elementary school. Rather than concentrating on his weakest subjects and creating frustrated mediocrity, I’m focusing the same energy on his strengths, ensuring that he’ll excel in the areas in which he’s truly gifted. Our progress-oriented society has ingrained into our heads that we need to work harder to improve our weaknesses, and this way of thinking has affected both our parenting style and the development of our children. Buckingham’s advice is both practical for observing and communicating with our children and powerful for preparing our children to find their passions and fulfill their purposes in life.
In teaching us about our children, Buckingham also teaches us about ourselves. In an attempt to discover their life’s calling, many people wait around to see a flash of light or awake to the voice of God at two or three in the morning. Buckingham reminds us that our calling isn’t something we have to search for relentlessly; it’s sewn into who we are. As we recognize our strengths, we’ll uncover our passions. Where our strengths intersect our passions, therein lies our calling. We do well do discern ours in adulthood and even better to help our children discover theirs before we launch them into an untamed world"
My husband and I both marked up this section of the book, and have discussed Marcus Buckingham's principles in great length. And, we have begun applying them to how we are raising our daughters, while also learning more about ourselves and our strengths and weaknesses.
This is one book I will be sharing with my book club, and passing around for family and friends to read. I know they will find this as enjoyable and thought provoking as my husband and I have. If you enjoy personal growth books, or like listening to interviews with notable influencers, then you will love this new book by Ken Coleman. I can't wait to find more free time, to read this book again. This is a book that each time you read it, you will learn more about yourself and want to make changes for the good.
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order tow rite up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.
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