13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Nice Approach to Important Topic, May 4, 2008
This review is from: Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life (Hardcover)
This book provides a down-to-earth approach to mentoring and coaching the next generation. Whether you are interested in helping your children, grandchildren, youth in the neighborhood, or someone you routinely work or socialize with, "Handoff" will give you lots to work with. Myers suggests, convincingly, that we each have knowledge and experiences of value to pass along to following generations. While that sounds pie-in-the-sky, Myers makes it personal and accessible by focusing on one-on-one relationships. This is broadly about reaching generations, but more specifically how to engage with one person to pass along what you know and have experienced.
Dr Myers has been working with, teaching and studying youth for years, and he has adopted a focus on leadership, mentoring and coaching that shines forth in this book. Whether you see it in yourself or not, Myers will convince you that you have many things of value to pass along to someone (or more than one!) from a following generation. In fact, he defines life as a relay, with winning being the result of successfully passing the baton to those who come after us.
The chapter titles are descriptive, if not entertaining, such as "Feed the Giver, Starve the Taker," "Shutting Up: How to Stop Giving Advice and Start Having an Influence" or "Lessons from a Sled Dog: Discover What You Cannot NOT Do." While I suppose you could pick out a chapter and read it by itself, I read it from front to back and found the approach logical. As you progress through the book, you will find probing questions which will challenge you to consider what to pass along. Rather than leaving you with a nice, "feel-good story", I found Myers' approach to be helpful in framing my own thoughts about things I could ask my sons to start discussions. NOTE: This is not a book that gives you checklists of what to say. Rather, it helps you focus on the needs of someone you want to mentor, then intelligently engage them right where they are while encouraging them forward in life. Having said that, there are a few sections where you can get a bit bogged down with a "list-type" of approach.
Rather than a dry or pompous academic text, "Handoff" is an engaging read. Dr Myers' style is very easy to read and understand and feels quite conversational. He is definitely NOT talking down to his readers. The book itself is very appealing, a hardback book in a paperback size with a sturdy yet comfortable feel. The text is in a larger font than you would expect from the small size of the book, but that makes it easy to read. (And your rapid progress through the pages is also reinforcing!)
Myers writes from a Christian perspective, but the practical aspects of preparing the next generation to take their place in the world clearly transcends any differences among religions. In his writing, he is clear about his own researched perspective on the state of the culture today and our responsibility to prepare the next generation. More specifically, if you think that things in our world are going fine and the next generation is well focused with a healthy outlook on living their lives with excellence, then you probably ought to pass on this book. On the other hand, if you know someone who could use some perspective and encouragment to live a life with excellence as their goal, or perhaps you can't seem to remember your parents giving you much in the way of "life lessons" as you prepared to launch out on your own, then this book is a place for you to start. (I don't mean to imply that he is solely focused on youth. His approach can work in any relationship where trust can be established.)
Ultimately, this book was not meant to be read and placed on some shelf. Myers intends for you to act on what you read, and then to pass the book along to someone else. His message is that important.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Passing the Baton, July 1, 2008
This review is from: Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life (Hardcover)
In simple, straightforward terms Jeff Myers guides us to being able to effectively reach the next generation. It's not complicated. It doesn't take years of study. The personal sharing of life experiences, both good and bad, to give young people the reins of real leadership is crucial. Myers has been doing it for years. Pay attention to his advice.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid reading, especially for teachers, parents, and anyone heavily involved with the future, November 7, 2008
This review is from: Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life (Hardcover)
The Next Generation are the heirs to the world, and it is the current generation's job to prepare them. "Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life" takes a scholarly stance on how today's generation is preparing the next. Offering a lot of ideas and philosophy on today's duty to the future, Myers offers a lot of interesting ideas that could make the world a better face for our children. "Handoff" is solid reading, especially for teachers, parents, and anyone heavily involved with the future.
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