Thank you for joining me for this new series titled “Stronger Through Adversity.” This series provides tools to help you cope and lead in a COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 world.
When people find out I have written books (eleven of them now), they often say something like, “I’ve been meaning to write a book.” or “I plan to write a book someday.” I’m convinced everyone has a book in them, and some of us have been fortunate enough to find a way to put our thoughts on paper. In this post, I’ll share how my upcoming book came to be, encourage you to start writing that book that only you can write, and give you an overview of upcoming posts based on my book titled Stronger Through Adversity.
In December 2020, Stronger Through Adversity will hit online and offline bookstores. At the end of this post, I will provide a way to get a special offer by pre-ordering the book now, but let’s first take a short journey into the background behind this book.
In the past, I’ve consulted for GODIVA Chocolate on their retail boutique experience, and I signed a book deal with McGraw-Hill to release a book about GODIVA in 2021. On March 2nd, 2020, I was to attend GODIVA’s Leadership Conference and tour their US plant when my travel plans changed (out of an abundance of caution) due to COVID-19. Shortly after that cancellation, GODIVA leaders became laser-focused on pivoting their business, and my research for that book paused. Fear, not GODIVA lovers. The GODIVA experience book will still be out as planned next year for GODIVA’s 95th anniversary in 2021. More on that around next July.
With the GODIVA book research paused and most of my energy going to my role on COVID-19 taskforces for my clients, I decided to reach out to leaders I knew and ask them how they were managing the pandemic. After a few of those calls, I realized leaders wanted to talk and needed someone to listen. I also realized that what I was hearing was powerful.
Within weeks, I pitched and had the concept for Stronger Through Adversity accepted by the publication board at McGraw-Hill. In the next two months, I engaged in over 140 conversations with remarkable business, nonprofit, and public safety leaders. CEOs and Presidents of companies like Target, Verizon, Kohl’s, Microsoft, Farmers Insurance, Dairy Queen, Mercedes-Benz, Zappos, United Way, Salvation Army, and so many more kindly took time to talk about the lessons they were learning or affirming during the pandemic. I captured these conversations in Stronger Through Adversity and you can step into these resilience conversations in the pages of the book.
I will tell you about the five main areas covered in the book throughout this series. Right now, I wonder, what book or conversation of yours needs to be captured? What wisdom is swirling around you, and how are you recording and sharing that information?
I would love to talk about any book idea you have been contemplating and how I can help you share your insights or move your dream book forward. Let’s talk. Please reach out to me here.
If you would like to learn more about Stronger Through Adversity and get your special pre-order offer head to strongerthroughadversity.com.
Joseph A. Michelli, Ph.D. is a professional speaker and chief experience officer at The Michelli Experience. A New York Times #1 bestselling author, Dr. Michelli and his team consult with some of the world’s best customer experience companies.
Follow on Twitter: @josephmichelli