New Book Lead Like a Pirate! is a Big Hit with Big Business

(PRWEB) February 8, 2008 -- One of the most advanced corporations in the world is turning the clock back a few hundred years to share professional development secrets from the golden age of pirates with its modern-day leadership team. Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company, recently bought more than 500 copies of Christopher Novak's new book, Lead Like a Pirate!, joining a rapidly growing list of organizations that are embracing this creative twist on professional development.

Novak is a former human resources executive at Cornell University, the author of three books and a professional speaker (www.ConqueringAdversity-speaker.com) whose signature keynote, "Conquering Adversity", has inspired thousands.

Lead Like a Pirate! is a definite winner with a wide range of organizations including the Tulsa School District, Safeway, J&J, Bridgestone Firestone, The Computer Merchant, Siemens Power Generation, Hawaii Carpenters Union, Outback Steakhouse, Taco Bell, Seton Medical Center, government agencies and non-profit organizations; all of whom set sail with Novak's new book.

Since its November release by Dallas-based Cornerstone Leadership Institute (www.CornerStoneLeadership.com), the fictitious Captain Tiger Eye Taylor and the Crew of the Ebony Ghost have become professional development staples for many teams as business leaders look for innovative approaches to train frontline supervisors and managers. Who said learning had to be boring? Pirates are popular and that immediately makes the book appealing to employees.

Indeed, readers discover something very different from traditional business books in this 88-page, quick-read paperback. Novak cleverly disguised classic team leadership principles inside a series of fast-paced, illustrated buccaneer adventures that capture the attention of even the most stoic landlubbers. With its tall ships and tall tales, Lead Like a Pirate! is a learning instrument that people actually enjoy and that alone makes it unique in the world of professional development.

"Lead Like a Pirate! is not entertainment," the author says. "It's themed-learning which means I take relevant professional skills that leaders needs to master and present them in a setting where learning those skills is almost an unconscious result of being drawn into the storyline." Individually, a reader can sharpen their leadership skills with this book but its most significant impact is as a catalyst for groups or teams to discuss key leadership characteristics and techniques.

Novak was asked recently in a 30 minute interview on Canadian radio's, Holder Tonight, with host, Peter Anthony Holder, which airs in Montreal and Toronto, whether this was a book for leaders or followers. Novak replied that it's a book for both, noting the entire team, in fact the entire organization, can benefit from the book's key learning points.

With a hint of old English and a thread of historical truth, the book shares Tiger Eye's 5 Secrets of turning diversity into strength, speed into advantage and heart into leadership. His 5 Secrets -- the Captain, the Crew, the Mission, the Strategy and the Treasure -- are revealed through a series of illustrated high seas adventures. Each adventure ends with a challenge to evaluate a specific situation and select the best course of action from among several options. Doubloons are awarded based on the appropriateness of the answer. The last chapters examine the choices offered in each dilemma and explain the rationale for each preferred answer. Also included are concrete suggestions on how to apply the book's key learning points within the workplace.

Lead Like a Pirate! is the kind of book that business leaders are drawn to because it respects their time while sharpening their skills. "Leaders today, especially frontline supervisors and managers, don't have time to read lengthy, academic-style dissertations on leadership theory," Novak says. "But these leaders will make time for common sense professional development that is creative, quick and meaningful. That's why this book is so exciting."

So while Boeing may be one of the latest corporations to set sail with Captain Tiger Eye Taylor, they certainly will not be the last. Expect to hear more about Lead Like a Pirate! as companies make it part of their leadership development strategy.

Lead Like a Pirate! ($14.95 +s/h) is available online from the publisher at www.CornerstoneLeadership.com, or 888-789-5323; which also offers a do-it-yourself, downloadable training package for the buccaneer book complete with Power Point? slides and a Facilitator's Guide. The author also offers live webinars on Lead Like a Pirate through My Place to Learn (www.CornerstoneLeadershipOnline.com) with the next one scheduled for February 21st.

About Christopher Novak

Christopher Novak is the author of Conquering Adversity (Cornerstone Leadership Institute; 2004; $14.95), and 4 Circles of Good Business (Core Concepts Inc.; 2006; $12.95). Both are available online at www.Amazon.com.

A highly sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, retreats and special events, Novak has inspired thousands of professionals with his high impact "Conquering Adversity" message. His speaking invitations include national and regional appearances for organizations like SHRM, CUPA-HR, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Florida Hospital Association, Colgate University and many more. In 2001, Novak, a former director of human resources at Cornell University, started, The Summit Team (www.Summit-Team.com), specializing in leadership training and executive coaching. His clients include Syracuse University, Ithaca College, Lane Construction, Hess Corporation and Galaxy Communications.

For information on the author or his services, visit www.ConqueringAdversity-speaker.com, call their office at (315) 673-1323 or email them at info @ summit-team.com.

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