Beyond Your Best: Develop Your Relationships, Fulfill Your Destiny

by Bruce McNicol, Bill Thrall, Ken McElrath, et al.

Book Overview

Achieve new heights by identifying and nurturing the people who will be key to your lasting success As truly successful people know, it's not skills and tricks that bring success, but the positive influence of lasting relationships that ultimately determine success in all areas of life. Consultants Thrall and McNicol share an approach to climbing the ladder of success based on creating lasting change in your life. By paying close attention to the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787967629
• ISBN13: 9780787967628
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Finding "Beyond our Best" entirely possible!

Bunyan in his immortal epic, "The Pilgrim's Progress," shows us the danagers of the "half-way" philosophy. I believe most of us have fallen sooner or later into that trap. Here is a book that challenges us to go beyond ourselves, as Star Trek fans would define "where no man has gone before." The good news about this book is that it is not fantasy! It shows the goal and it shows the way. Life is built on relationships, and relationships are built on trust. Those relationships flourish in an environment of grace described in this book. The two ladders described are the capacity ladder which focuses on "what I can do," and the character ladder, which focuses on discovering what God can do. On the character ladder we awaken to our destiny under God. Integrity is built into us as we align ourselves with God's truth - what HE says about us. This character ladder takes us rung by rung to authentic living and fulfilling our deepest longings. In fact, it takes us beyond success to becoming a person of influence in other's lives. This is a book about leadership - leading from the heart. We have lived the principles taught in this book and have enjoyed a loving, accepting relationship in our marriage like never before. We are teaching these "grace principles" to students in our school and are discovering that this environment of grace can be created in any home, institution, organization, and church. They MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the way we live and relate to one another. The result is refreshing and life changing! Make no mistake about it; there will be a price to pay when we choose to climb the character ladder to the point of aligning with truth. "To say we have chosen to align our lives with truth while remaining isolated and invulnerable from the guidance and love of others puts our destiny in jeopardy." Forming character involves coming under the influence of other people and acting on the wisdom and truth of their counsel. In our personal experience these principles of grace have made us more aware of God's forgiveness and of the need to keep forgiving each other as God forgave us in Christ. It makes us keenly aware of the strengths God has given us which we can use to help others in their journeys through life. It also makes us aware of our weaknesses which are protected in this kind of environment. I feel safe, secure, nurtured, loved, creative, released, and real! Finally! TEN POINTS for these 3 musketeers of the faith who give us such treasure in a nutshell!

Toward personal fulfillment and significant influence

BEYOND YOUR BEST speaks to the longing that is within us for authentic living, meaningful relationships, and personal fulfillment. The ideas presented will challenge you, create longing in you, and fill you with hope that it is possible to live an authentic life and to have significant influence. In BEYOND YOUR BEST, as in their previous book THE ASCENT OF A LEADER the authors, in an even more concise and clear manner, compare climbs to success and personal fulfillment on the `capacity ladder' and the `character ladder'. The `capacity ladder' leads to the fulfillment of our individual potential through the development and exercising of our capacity. While we may accomplish a lot and enjoy success, the climb up this ladder alone does not lead to the fulfillment of our deepest longing. The climb up the `character ladder' however, takes one beyond success and accomplishment to authentic living and significant influence. The authors describe the steps up the character ladder and the kind of environment and relationships that are necessary to support the climb.BEYOND YOUR BEST is packed with profound truths that stir longing in your heart and hope for the personal freedom, fulfillment, and depth of relationships described. The authors' use of personal life stories, poignant quotes, and humor brings clarity to the principles stated and added enjoyment to the reading of this book. Each chapter ends with thought provoking questions that serve to help you think though the principles presented within the context of your present situation.While the authors are writing from a Christian framework their choice of words and supporting material makes the book palatable to a variety of faith backgrounds.BEYOND YOUR BEST can be your guide on a journey where you find the ability to become the person you were created to be. It will leave you desirous and determined to find and create an environment in which each person can reach their full potential and enjoy authentic relationships. It will leave you hopeful that you indeed have a significant role to play and a life-changing legacy to leave in the lives of those you influence.

An Intriguing Roadmap for the Life You've Always Wanted

There is no silver bullet for learning how to live our "best" lives. It's a lifelong process. But every once in a while along the path an important flag gets raised that says, "Stop here! Pay attention. This juncture is important." BEYOND YOUR BEST is one of those stops. I was first exposed to the authors' basic premise in their previous book, THE ASCENT OF A LEADER. I confess I was a tough sell. When I thought about the rough and tumble corporate world I live in, I wasn't sure it was possible to build "relationships of trust and environments of grace." But the delicious possibilities could not be ignored. What IF building and climbing the "Character Ladder" was the best way to discover our destiny and enjoy the kind of lasting influence we long for? What IF there was a way to face our "junk" and gain-not lose-ground. It was too tantalizing to dismiss.Then BEYOND YOUR BEST came along. It streamlines and makes more accessible the authors' original bold blueprint for building lives of character and influence. The new breezy format helps the truth leap off the page unencumbered. The reader comes away with the unmistakable feeling: "I can do this! I MUST do this." I will. So should you.

A Truly Life-Changing Journey

Beyond Your Best is filled with principles that have transformed my life and my paradigms of leadership for the better. The authors have their feet firmly planted in reality as they call us to a personal journey that leads to higher ground. I have read much concerning the need for character development in leadership, but nothing comes close to the principles in this book in regards to offering a time tested path that leads to integrity. This book is most welcome in a world in which we have all been disappointed time and again by leaders we trusted. It renews hope that things don't have to be this way. It's a book that needs to be on every leader's bookshelf, and one that you will want to encourage those within your realm of influence to read.

Beyond Your Best? It is Possible!

Beyond Your Best:Develop Your Relationships, Fulfill Your Destiny Beyond Your Best is the finest basic book I have read on developing leaders for life. It is a Christian book, but it is not just for Christians! This concise and cogent work updates Leadership Catalyst's best-selling book Ascent of A Leader in a refreshing revision that is even more helpful than its trusty forerunner.This is a book for new, old, or aspiring leaders. But it is especially a book for those who may be gaining ground in their career but losing ground in their character and relationships.Authors Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol and Ken McElrath share their stories and point to the principles in them that can help the reader find hope-filled answers to life-searching questions like these: "How do I let my spouse love me?" "How may I best communicate to my children that they are secure in my love?" "How can I become a trusted leader to those in my organization?"Beyond Your Best in effect asks the question, "Which ladder are you climbing in life? Where are you headed as you climb it?" The authors compare progress in life, work, and relationships to the task of climbing two different ladders. These two ladders contrast competing yet complementary ways of achieving success in life and work.Those on the first ladder, the shorter "capacity" ladder, seek to fulfill their potential, earn promotions, and gain prominent positions in order to achieve independence. Those on the second, longer "character" ladder will develop their capacities, but they will do far more. They also will develop their relationships and fulfill their destiny. They do this by learning the interdependence found within relationships of trust built in environments of grace. The authors correctly conclude, I believe, that only the second ladder can lead us to become the people God intended us to be."So how can I develop my relationships and fulfill my destiny?" you may ask. That is for you to discover as you struggle with Beyond Your Best! The work is most enjoyable, because this well-written book is a delightful mix of true stories and classic literature, valuable life-lessons and challenging questions. By these means readers may learn how to face their own fears and flaws before God and others with great hope for growth and change. Three years ago I began to put this book's principles to the test. As a result, I have come increasingly to trust this leader development process. The principles were originally set forth in The Ascent of A Leader; they are now made clearer and even more compelling in this new book. Under God's blessing, this process has helped me trust Him and others more, and has led to a measured and steady growth of my character and capacities as husband, father, chaplain, and citizen. My goal? I want to develop each of my relationships and fulfill my destiny, by God's grace. Beyond your best- it is possible. Find out how!