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The Art of Original Thinking: The Making of a Thought Leader

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It's obvious that we live in a world with many serious problems. Poverty stalks the globe. Children are dying of preventable illnesses. Wars are killing and maiming civilians. Yes, there are problems, we acknowledge, but they're going to have to be up to someone else to solve--not us. The "experts" will find a way. We have enough problems of our own.

We've been socialized to be sheep, to be patient when bureaucracy is slow. Jan Phillips writes, "Thought leaders do not wait in silence. Nor do they wait for others' minds to be opened, or for safe places to speak into. Thought leaders are the openers of minds, the modern day prophets...."

The paradigm we grew up with says it's every man for himself. Do the best you can, donate a little money once in a while to ease your conscience, and believe for the best. But as Phillips says, "We are here to advance life...to be...a perpetrator of inspiration, a leader of thought and heartfelt action....This is the time, and we are the ones."

The book is filled with stories of people who made a difference, of companies that broke the mold of ordinary thinking, that found new visions for themselves and their world. Of companies who found that "doing [good] unto the least of these" not only feels right, but can be profitable at the same time.

Ms. Phillips believes in telling stories, because stories reach through and around our barriers--stories can move our hearts. One example: "Half of us do not have access to clean water. Five thousand children die every day from waterborne illnesses. That's equivalent to twelve full jumbo jets crashing every day. How can it be that we have a dozen jets crashing every day and we're not doing anything about it? How does it happen that we let five thousand of our children die when we have everything it takes--but human will--to fix the problem?"

Thought-provoking quotes are scattered throughout the book:

-Frederick Buechner: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.: "True compassion is more that flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring."

-Max De Pree: "The measure of leadership is not the quality of the head, but the tone of the body."

-Miguel de Cervantes: "When we dream alone it is just a dream, but when we dream together it is the beginning of reality."

When multiplied millions live on under a dollar a day, and the CEO of Yahoo! manages on only $4 million a week, something is wrong. When the current CEO-worker pay gap is 458 to 1, something is wrong. Thought leaders look at the health of humanity and search for ways to better the world. The author says, "Thought leaders inspire change--personal change, social change, cellular and systemic change. They are not redirecting traffic on the old thoroughfares, but building superhighways of communication that transport people to destinations of heightened awareness, broadened perspectives, and a truer, deeper sense of their place and purpose in life."

This book was not what I expected. I was looking for a book to help me be more original and creative. I found a book which challenged me to live with authenticity and integrity. I've started. And I'd recommend the book to everyone.

Now you'll be able to argue with the best of them that the old ways of doing business are on their way out. This book is not pie-in-the-sky theories of how businesses should be more responsible, it's real world examples of how businesses can do good by doing good. I found this book inspirational, educational, and captivating. The first thing I did was take it to my business school to see if they could incorporate it into their program. Things don't have to be the way they are in business. There is a better way and Jan Phillips shows it to you.

What would our current economic conditions in this country have been if more businesses had read and acted on Jan Phillips book "The Art of Original Thinking"? What we need in today's economic climate is many, many more "Thought Leaders" and the attitudes contained in this book.

Ms. Phillips should send her book to President Obama, members of Congress and the SBA!! Business schools should get out of their stone age thinking of profits only and embrace the principles of also creating a better world for everyone.

This is a book I will highly recommend to all my clients thinking of starting their own businesses or those wanting to make changes in the businesses they already have. Just reading the Chapter titles alone is inspiring!!

If you want to be a part of the current economic solution, then get this book and study it!

At a time in history when we seem to be more about the now and about ourselves, Ms. Phillips challenges us to consider a longer term view of how we impact our world and the people around us.

For far too long the world corporate mantra has been: profits, shareholder equity, and great wealth for a small select group of people. The effect has impacted our environment. our society, and the lives of many.

A philosophy based in elevating humanity and the environment to equality with profits so that the acts of corporations care for both people and planet is good for all.

I think everyone should read this book. Not only thought leaders, but also thought influencers, which we all are. Kudos to Ms. Phillips for clearly defining a paradigm that should become the mantra for the new millennium.

A white paper does not a thought leader make. Now, with The Art of Original Thinking: The Making of A Thought Leader, Jan Phillips has defined what true thought leadership is.

Ever thought about exactly where YOUR thoughts originated? Family, friends, media to name a few.

Phillips tells us that thought leaders are original thinkers - and in order to become an original thinker we have to be willing to engage in a three step process: 1. Release the Past, 2. Embrace the Present, and 3. Create the Future.

This is a groundbreaking book - information you won't find anywhere else about companies who are doing well while doing good - and NOT just the usual Starbucks, Whole Foods, Body Shop...how about a carpet manufacturer? How about Capital ONE?

Add this to your business classics list.

THE ART OF ORIGINAL THINKING: THE MAKNG OF A THOUGHT LEADER is probably one of the most reassuring books to read at this time. Jan Phillips thoughts and the writing of them in such an inspiring and conversational manner should make this book one that everyone will want to add to the library of their homes and slip onto the desks of 'leaders' in the business and political world. In Phillips thinking though leasers are those who pioneer and catalyze the solutions to problems that threaten our very existence, providing thoughtful guidance to break through constricting bonds of current thinking and form an alternative manner in which we can nurture humanity and our very planet.

Initially Philips teaches us how to identify the visible leaders who think not only outside the box, but outside the confines of contemporary thought processes. She then provides guideposts for each of us to follow the path of becoming Thought Leaders. Attempting to summarize this book for a review is difficult because the beauty of Jan Phillips' writing is to enjoy the discovery of her gradual unfolding of her thoughts and perceptions. She is wise beyond her time and deserves our careful attention. Enough said. Read this book! Grady Harp, April 11

The Art of Original Thinking - The Making of a Thought Leader
Author: Jan Phillips

Reader Book Review

By: Brian J. Donley
Author: "The Original Psychology of Success and Donley's Law"

Unlimited potential for business and personal transformations resides within "The Art of Original Thinking." I was profoundly affected in over 29 separate yet distinct areas throughout this work of Art. I have personally generated several new proposals as a result of learning, applying and teaching this new found wisdom.

One proposal (currently under favorable review) with a 20,000+ employee global corporation may result in hundreds of millions in savings per year, through social responsibility alone!!! Two other socially conscious proposals with different groups have been accepted and are currently being implemented.

Rating: "The Art of Original Thinking" receives Donley's Five Star W.O.W (Words of Wisdom) rating!!!!!

Thank You Jan Phillips
My thanks to your circle of support!
Blessings and visions of greatness to each of you!!!

For the first time in my reviewing career I didn't finish the book I was to review. But it's not for the reason you think. After I got past the, "wow, this is a lot of information to take in", I drifted to, " I want to savour this".

What does that mean for you, the potential reader and book buyer? It means that waiting on the shelf is a volume that is intentionally intentional. For you see its intention is that you do something original. Now book buying is not that original, but it could be that for you, taking the first toward learning, about the art of original thinking is.

Jan Phillips has developed herself into an original thinker after stumbling around a bit. Like the rest of us, guidance is always welcome, Jan's has nicely come when she least expected it and from the most unlikeliest of sources.

Her journey to interview folks about their values offers some wonderful tidbits of how education and enlightenment floats down on us like snow each flake of knowledge wondrous and different.

Jan calls on some well-known original thinkers like: Rumi, Ghandi, The Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King, Jr. and some that may be new to you like: Norman Cousins, Rudolph Bahro, Barbara Marx Hubbard, and Ken Wilber to put forth their own original offerings.

We also touch base with the likes of Ben Cohen, one of the founders of Ben & Jerry's, Timberland's CEO Jeffrey Swartz, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters CEO Bob Stiller. All offer original ideas on what they've tried, showing that even multi-million dollar companies can take their original thoughts outside of the R&D department and apply them in other areas that elevate them onto the "best places to work" list year after year.

And while we've talked about worldly original thinkers, and some of the best in the U.S., what about your favorite banker, baker or candlestick maker. They can bring original thinking to your neighborhood, town or city.

Jan's point is we started out having nothing to go on and unfortunately fell into following the words of others as doctrine. This can be helpful but it can be disastrous. So why not step outside the box, stride into virgin territory and ask some new questions of yourself and those around you. Who knows, what you come up with could very well be quite original!

Jan Phillips's book The Art of Original Thinking is a good look at corporate social responsibility - which is one of the most important things that we in America need to focus on in the future. That is, if we are to reclaim our national honor. She is a great storyteller, and her quotations are remarkable too. I believe this book should make an important contribution to the way business is done.

These times call for new and original modes of leadership and thinking and this book shows you how to do it.

If you're looking to catapult yourself, your business or your organization to greater levels of awareness, prosperity and sustainability, this book is a must!

Phillips asks all the right questions and presents a stellar three step process for you to access and actualize visionary thought leadership -- personally and professionally.

It's a great read--rich with story, imagery and informed research, all woven with great artistry and superior intellect. Phillips sites many examples of individuals, organizations and corporations, large and small, doing very well by doing good. Her research and perspectives on Triple Bottom Line business practices will surprise and inspire you.


The Art of Original Thinking is a shining star in a constellation of books like Blink, Tipping Point, Presence and Freakonomics, that address relevant issues with a fresh approach.

Peter Senge, Margaret Wheatley, Malcolm Gladwell, Ken Blanchard, Peter Drucker....You've got company!