Tag: Personal Development

The Leadership Skill That Shapes Every Business Decision (And a Book That Explains It)

Begin at the End is the new book on decision making and problem solving by Jeremy Sable. Photo: Amazon

Best Leadership and Business Books for Smarter Decision-Making

Books on leadership and business offer timeless lessons for anyone seeking to grow professionally and personally. The best leadership books explore how effective leaders communicate vision, make thoughtful decisions, and build workplace cultures rooted in trust and accountability.

Strong business books go beyond theory. They bridge strategy and execution, showing how values-driven leadership can drive sustainable business success. Readers gain practical insight into navigating change, managing teams, and balancing strategy with empathy. More than manuals for profit, leadership and decision-making books encourage self-reflection, resilience, and ethical thinking, reminding us that strong businesses are built by leaders who understand people as deeply as they understand performance.

📘 Book Recommendation: A Must-Read Leadership and Decision-Making Book

Begin at the End: The Modern Day Guide to Decision-Making

By Jeremy Sable

Begin at the End is a modern leadership and decision-making book for people who feel stuck, overthink important choices, or want a clearer way to navigate careers, relationships, finances, and life’s inevitable tradeoffs. Rather than promising perfect answers, the book focuses on choosing a direction with confidence and moving forward without regret.

This book is especially valuable for business leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking better decision-making frameworks in an increasingly complex world.

Decision Overload in the Modern Workplace

We are living in the middle of the greatest decision overload in human history and most people underestimate how much it impacts their performance, focus, and well-being.

Every day brings an avalanche of choices: endless information, constant notifications, shifting priorities, and pressure to move faster than the human brain was designed to operate. In today’s business environment, this overload leaves many professionals feeling scattered, burned out, or unsure whether their decisions are leading anywhere meaningful.

Begin at the End offers a practical solution for decision-making in high-pressure environments.

A Practical Framework for Better Business Decisions

Drawing from more than a decade of mission-critical consulting, Jeremy Sable explains why much of today’s decision-making advice is outdated. He introduces a modern system that helps leaders, professionals, and teams make smarter, faster, and more confident decisions.

Instead of reacting to available options, readers learn how to anchor every decision to a clearly defined outcome. This outcome-first approach improves clarity, focus, execution, and creativity, skills essential for leadership, business growth, and long-term success.

Key Takeaways from Begin at the End

In this leadership and decision-making book, readers will learn how to:

  • Apply Outcome-First Thinking to bring clarity to every decision
  • Use AI as a strategic decision-making tool, not a distraction
  • Generate better options under pressure and tight deadlines
  • Avoid false either/or thinking that limits leadership potential
  • Build feedback loops that turn decisions into long-term momentum
  • Reduce decision fatigue and make clarity a daily habit

This is not theoretical advice. It’s a real-world playbook for business leaders, professionals, and anyone responsible for making high-stakes decisions.

Why This Book Matters for Leaders and Professionals

If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to make decisions at work and in life,” this book delivers that solution. Begin at the End provides a practical clarity system that helps leaders align decisions with purpose, values, and long-term outcomes.

For anyone interested in leadership development, business strategy, or personal growth, this book is a valuable addition to your reading list.

About the Author: Jeremy Sable

Jeremy Sable helps people make better decisions when the stakes are real and the answers aren’t obvious. Raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, he studied engineering at Virginia Tech before beginning his career in government consulting in Washington, DC, an environment where leaders regularly make decisions with incomplete information and real consequences.

His work blends consulting and engineering frameworks with personal experience and real-world constraints. Jeremy believes most people aren’t bad at decision-making, they’re overwhelmed, overinformed, and rarely taught how to decide effectively.

How Embracing Your ‘Inner Peacock’ Can Transform Your Life

‘Becoming a Peacock’ is the new motivational book by Michal Bardavid. Photo: Amazon

Becoming a Peacock: Strut Your Way Into Self-Love

By Michal Bardavid

Loving yourself isn’t selfish, it’s your superpower.

We’re taught math, science, and grammar, but rarely how to love ourselves. In Becoming a Peacock, Michal Bardavid cracks open that silence with wit, warmth, and the kind of honesty that feels like a conversation with your bravest friend. (Amazon, 2025)

Release Date: December 2 — available now for pre-order.

Through intimate stories of heartbreak, healing, and rediscovery, Bardavid invites you to embrace your inner peacock: the bold, unapologetic, self-loving version of you that refuses to shrink to fit someone else’s cage.

What You’ll Learn

Each chapter blends real-life stories with empowering reflections and exercises designed to help you:

  • Reclaim your worth (no external validation required)
  • Set boundaries without guilt
  • Rewrite your inner voice from critical to kind
  • Let go of relationships and habits that dim your colors
  • Celebrate your authenticity, flaws, feathers, and all

Part memoir, part manifesto, and all heart, Becoming a Peacock is a guide for anyone ready to stop playing small and start strutting through life in full color.

What’s Inside the Book

  • Why the Majestic “Peacock”
  • A Peacock Knows It’s Worthy
  • A Peacock Can Take Rejection
  • A Peacock Dares To Fail
  • A Peacock Doesn’t Judge
  • A Peacock Is Authentic
  • A Peacock Is Grateful

Review

Becoming a Peacock is a heartfelt and spirited invitation to reclaim the parts of ourselves we’ve subdued for far too long. Bardavid writes with a disarming blend of humor, vulnerability, and gentle provocation, cracking open the silence so many people carry around their deepest hurts.

From the first chapter, her voice feels like that of a brave, loyal friend, the kind who tells you the truth with tenderness and refuses to let you abandon yourself again. The language is laid back and conversational while the tone is warm and nonjudgmental. With short chapters and clean structure, it’s a quick, easy read and easy to revisit favorite sections.

Through stories of heartbreak, healing, rejection, and the slow rebuilding of self-worth, Bardavid shows what it means to return home to yourself. She doesn’t preach or claim to have all the answers. Instead, she offers lived wisdom through intimate snapshots of losing her way and the surprising places she found it again.

Highlights

A Peacock Builds Resilience

A reminder that words matter. Kindness is crucial, but resilience is just as important. Bullying should never be tolerated, yet learning to rise above harsh moments is equally vital.

A Peacock Can Be in the Moment

Mindfulness means living with awareness and intention, even in painful moments. Distraction denies our feelings; presence helps us work through them.

“Let’s dare to put the phone down, be present for ourselves and our loved ones, and rediscover the beauty of being in the moment.”

Her “inner peacock” metaphor is playful and powerful, a reminder that boldness, beauty, and self-love are not traits we acquire but truths we unveil. Bardavid doesn’t shy away from messy emotions or difficult lessons, and that authenticity helps readers feel seen rather than lectured.

Becoming a Peacock is an encouraging guide to standing tall, spreading your feathers, and choosing yourself without apology. Ideal for readers who enjoy motivational, reflective books on the journey to self-improvement.

“I built this metaphor of a peacock to make self-love clearer, to remind my students—and now, any reader who wants to share the ride—that they are beautiful, worthy, and capable of living life fully.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Michal Bardavid is a psychological counselor, dance movement therapist, and international journalist. Over the past 15 years, she has reported from more than a dozen countries, taught movement therapy at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, and led creative workshops for Syrian refugee children. In Becoming a Peacock, she combines two decades of storytelling and healing into a candid, story-driven path toward self-worth.

*Thank you to the author for the gifted Advance Reader Copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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‘No Words Needed’ and the Power of a Single Glance

‘No Words Needed’ is Michael Freeman’s new book about the power of nonverbal communication. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: No Words Needed: Learning to Listen With Your Eyes by Michael Freeman

What if a single glance could change everything?

We live in a world overflowing with noise: constant talking, constant explaining, constant performing. No Words Needed is the quiet rebellion we didn’t know we needed.

Michael Freeman offers a powerful, compassionate guide for men who don’t always speak first but feel deeply. The ones who walk into a room already reading the atmosphere. The ones who’ve been called “too quiet,” when in reality they were listening the whole time.

What You’ll Learn

In this short and impactful read, Freeman teaches you how to:

  • Recognize attraction through eye contact and subtle nonverbal cues
  • Build genuine connection without overthinking every word
  • Develop confidence without pretending to be someone you’re not
  • Understand emotional energy both yours and the woman in front of you

No Words Needed is written for quiet men, introverts, deep feelers, and overthinkers. It’s the book that finally acknowledges the men who move through the world with awareness, sensitivity, and intention.

If you’ve ever been misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure whether she was speaking to you with her eyes, this book becomes your playbook. Whether you’re starting over or simply want a deeper understanding of women, this isn’t just advice, it’s a mindset shift. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

About the Author

Michael Freeman is a storyteller, observer, and quiet disruptor of the norm. His writing centers on emotional presence, personal growth, and the invisible language of attraction.

No Words Needed: Learning to Listen With Your Eyes is his debut work and an intimate guide for anyone who has ever felt more than they could say, especially men who are learning to lead with presence rather than volume.

Born and raised in Vallejo, California, Freeman blends cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, and lived experience into short, resonant reads that linger long after the last page. He writes for the ones who notice the small things, who feel deeply, who understand that silence often speaks first.

‘Think Bigger, Lead Better’ is Rick Tollakson’s Blueprint for Transformational Leadership

In his new book, Rick Tollakson presents his eight principles for success. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success

A fresh take on leadership from Rick Tollakson

In today’s fast-changing business world, leadership can’t be about playing it safe. The most effective leaders are those who think bigger, challenge assumptions, and inspire others to reach new heights. That’s the central message behind Rick Tollakson’s new book, Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success. It’s a practical and inspiring guide to building stronger teams, smarter organizations, and more impactful leaders.

Beyond the Bottom Line

Efficient leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo, it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change.

Drawing from his decades of experience transforming a modest real estate company into a thriving, diversified enterprise, Tollakson shares the “Eight to Great” principles that powered that journey. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, he encourages leaders to move beyond short-term wins and embrace a long-term vision that drives growth and purpose.

Readers will learn how to:

  • Cultivate passionate, high-performing teams
  • Encourage innovation and calculated risk-taking
  • Streamline operations with process-driven thinking
  • Lead with purpose while balancing profitability and impact
  • Build a legacy of leadership that outlasts any single role

Think Bigger, Lead Better is a call to action for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals who refuse to settle for mediocrity. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or growing a small startup, Tollakson’s proven framework will help you push past limitations and build something truly great.

Are you ready to think bigger?

About the Author

Rick Tollakson is a nationally recognized real estate executive, community leader, and author of Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success.

As CEO of Hubbell Realty Company, he has led the organization through transformational growth, expanding its development, construction, property management, and homebuilding operations across Iowa and beyond.

A respected voice in both business and civic circles, Tollakson’s leadership philosophy blends innovation, integrity, and community stewardship. He continues to serve on numerous boards and committees, offering insights that extend far beyond traditional business metrics to include ethical leadership, sustainable development, and meaningful community partnerships.

Why This Book Matters Now

In an era defined by disruption and uncertainty, the need for bold, ethical, and visionary leadership has never been greater. Think Bigger, Lead Better provides the clarity and tools leaders need to navigate change, inspire trust, and create organizations that make a difference.

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and build a culture of excellence, this book is your next essential read.

📘 Learn more or order your copy of Think Bigger, Lead Better wherever books are sold.

A Review of ‘Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough’ by Karin J. Lund

‘Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough’ is the new YA self help book by Karin J. Lund. Photo: Partners In Crime Tours, used with permission.

Part of the Partners in Crime Tours Virtual Book Tours

Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough by Karin J. Lund

Theme: Celebrating your life, understanding and creating your value, and building confidence and resilience. (Partners in Crime Tours, 2025)

This is the book that will always remind you: YES – I MATTER, I AM ENOUGH.

Photo: PICT, used with permission.

Review

Karin J. Lund’s Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is a heartfelt and empowering guide to self-discovery, confidence, and resilience. Written with warmth and clarity, Lund invites readers to celebrate their lives and recognize the unique value each person holds.

It’s less a traditional self-help book and more a compassionate conversation, one that encourages reflection and personal growth.

Lund’s message is simple yet profound: self-worth isn’t something we earn; it’s something we uncover and nurture. Through thoughtful exercises and gentle affirmations, she helps readers navigate life’s complexities with grace and self-trust. Her emphasis on creating one’s own value and building inner strength makes this book both inspiring and practical.

Interactive exercises include:

  • Writing down what you could change and how it might impact your situation.
  • Write a challenge you want to achieve and have an accountability partner to help you. 

Even the cover design, featuring interlocking, layered lines, beautifully mirrors the book’s message. It symbolizes life’s many intersecting paths and the freedom to change direction, reinforcing the idea that resilience is born from flexibility and self-awareness.

Ultimately, Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is a compassionate reminder that our worth is inherent and our journeys are ever-evolving. It’s an uplifting read for anyone seeking to reconnect with their inner power and embrace the full richness of who they are.

“Keep seeking truth and honesty in your life. Don’t ever be afraid to choose a new path.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Karin J. Lund, Founder of G-Power Global Enterprises, partners with corporations, universities, and non-profit organizations to create compassionate, empowered workplace cultures. Her work fosters environments where employees and management actively support shared values, inclusivity, and community impact.

Her online program, Your Journey through the Islands of Grief and Loss, encourages individuals and teams to navigate personal and professional challenges with empathy and resilience. Corporate comfort gifts, journals, and other resources support this meaningful initiative.

Photo: PICT, used with permission

To celebrate the release of Karin J. Lund’s new book Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough, Partners in Crime Tours is having a giveaway. Enter for a chance to win an Amazon.com gift card.

Photo: PICT, used with permission

Rediscovering Respect: How One Small Virtue Can Change Everything

‘Respect’ is Robert L. Dilenschneider’s forthcoming new book. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Respect – How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time

By Robert L. Dilenschneider
Release Date: October 28 — Available now for pre-order

🕊️ Why Respect Still Matters

In a world where online outrage spreads faster than kindness and conversations often turn into confrontations, the idea of respect can feel almost old-fashioned. Yet, what if rediscovering this simple value could be the key to improving how we live, work, and connect?

That’s the premise behind Robert L. Dilenschneider’s new book, Respect: How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time. A veteran public relations expert and thoughtful observer of human behavior, Dilenschneider explores how showing respect in our tone, actions, and choices can reshape not just our relationships, but the culture around us.

📘 What’s Inside

Chapter 1: A Call for Respectfulness
Chapter 2: Is Respectfulness Truly Possible in the Age of Retribution?
Chapter 3: What’s In It For Me?
Chapter 4: Start with Self-Respect
Chapter 5: The Top Five Qualities of Respectfulness
Chapter 6: Respectfulness at Work
Chapter 7: Respectfulness in Family and Personal Relationships
Chapter 8: Respectfulness in Civic Institutions
Chapter 9: Transforming Society

🌟 Highlights

  • Chapter 3: Offers tips on what to do when disrespect turns into bullying, and explores how respectfulness can lead to improved relationships, stronger professional connections, and a less stressful daily life.
  • Chapter 5: Explains that respect is more than politeness or manners, it’s about recognizing people as individuals with their own unique identities.

💬 Why It Matters

The tone throughout the book is conversational and grounded, yet deeply reflective. Dilenschneider urges readers to see respect not as a surface-level courtesy but as a transformative social force. Each chapter ends with a “Think About It” section inviting readers to pause, reflect, and apply the ideas to their own lives.

By combining practical wisdom and moral clarity, the book moves beyond abstract principles to offer real-world ways to practice respect daily. Whether in the office, at home, or within our communities, Dilenschneider shows how small gestures of empathy can ripple outward to build trust, cooperation, and understanding.

Ultimately, Respect is an essential guide for anyone seeking to improve communication, leadership, and human connection. In an age of division and incivility, this book serves as both a call to action and a blueprint for a more compassionate world.

Perfect for managers, executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, this book reminds us:

“Far from outdated, respectfulness is a vital part of the foundation of a well-functioning society and a fulfilling life. We would do well to cultivate it, and this book will show you how—and why.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

👤 About the Author

Robert L. Dilenschneider founded The Dilenschneider Group in 1991 after serving as President and CEO of Hill and Knowlton, Inc. He has counseled major corporations, trade associations, and educational institutions, helping clients navigate complex communications challenges.

He is the author of numerous books, including Power and Influence, A Briefing for Leaders, On Power, The Critical 14 Years of Your Professional Life, and 50 Plus! Critical Career Decisions for the Rest of Your Life. His most recent work before Respect was Character and Respect.

💭 Let’s Talk

Do you think respect is becoming a lost art — or are we just redefining what it means?
How do you practice respect in your everyday interactions, especially in challenging situations?

Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how you’re keeping respect alive in your corner of the world.

*Thank you to Fauzia Burke/FSB Associates for my gifted Advanced Reader Copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Discipline, Resilience, Leadership: A Review of ‘The Black Belt in Leadership’

Leading like a black belt – how martial arts principles can shape modern leaders. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Book Review: The Black Belt in Leadership: 20 Tested Lessons from the Dojo to the Boardroom

In The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva bridges the worlds of martial arts and corporate leadership with clarity, humility, and practical wisdom. Drawing on his experience as both a world champion martial artist and a two-time multinational CEO, de Silva distills twenty lessons that are just as relevant on the dojo floor as they are in the boardroom.

This book isn’t another collection of recycled business strategies. Instead, de Silva uses martial arts philosophy—discipline, resilience, respect, and continuous learning—to highlight the mindset shifts leaders need to thrive. His stories are engaging and vivid, showing how timeless principles of training, focus, and humility can shape how we manage teams, make decisions under pressure, and build trust.

🥋What’s Inside

  • Part I: The Dojo of Discipline
  • Part II: The Mindset of a Master
  • Part III: The Inner Fight
  • Part IV: The Path Forward

Each section builds on the idea that leadership is not about control but about character, self-awareness, and the ability to stay centered when everything around you feels unstable.

💡Key Highlights

Lesson 4: Progress Over Perfection – The Coachable Leader’s Advantage

True leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about embracing progress. De Silva admits that when he first started in sales, he lacked experience. But as a martial artist, he was coachable, open to feedback, and resilient in the face of correction.

“Martial arts taught me that the moment you think you’re untouchable, someone finds your opening.”

Lesson 5: Leading Through Contradiction in a World That Does Not Make Sense

Leadership means constant change. Success is temporary, and you won’t win every time. What matters most is staying true to your values without hiding behind them as excuses.

“I’ve always done it this way” should never be a reason to stop learning and growing.

Why You Should Read It

The lessons in this book are grounded in lived experience and paired with actionable takeaways. Most chapters end with reflection questions, making it easy to apply insights directly to your life and leadership journey. The conversational tone and straightforward language make it an accessible, inspiring read for anyone—executives, managers, or individuals simply striving to grow.

De Silva reminds us that leadership is less about appearing strong and more about staying centered when the world shakes. Most importantly, the finest leaders are not always the smartest—they’re the ones trained to lead under pressure.

So step into the dojo and pick up your copy of The Black Belt in Leadership. It’s an ultimate guide to leading with power, presence, and principle.

“You do not need a martial arts background to lead like a black belt. But if you want to move with clarity, resilience, and presence—especially under pressure—you need to train like one.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*Thank you to Aslak de Silva for the gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Hard Work, Humility, and the Human Spirit: A Powerful Read from Elyezer Shkedy

‘Who the F*ck is Michael?!’ is the debut bestselling book by General (Ret.) Elyezer Shkedy. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: “Who the F*ck is Michael?!” by Elyezer Shkedy
Leadership, Humility, and the Power of Personal Responsibility

If you’re looking for a book that packs a punch in both inspiration and life wisdom, “Who the F*ck is Michael?!: An Israeli Air Force Chief’s Uncompromising Code for Achieving Greatness” by Elyezer Shkedy deserves a spot on your reading list.

The Premise

In this thought-provoking collection, Shkedy—former Commander of the Israeli Air Force—distills over 100 life stories into concise lessons on leadership, success, integrity, and personal responsibility. The stories are short, engaging, and packed with real-world relevance. Each one describes a real event in his life as he remembers it and are not presented in a linear format.

The provocative title comes from a story about humility and hidden greatness. Michael was the principal at their son Omer’s school and one day he told them that Omer would never learn to read or write. The phrase became their family’s defiant battle cry whenever someone would tell them they couldn’t do something they were determined to do. It sets the tone for what’s to come: a reminder that extraordinary people often live quietly among us.

Life Lessons

This collection of stories contain life lessons filled with emotional intelligence. Shkedy doesn’t lecture—he shares. His anecdotes range from military missions to personal reflections, each offering a glimpse into the kind of leadership that values character over charisma and action over words. He manages to do all this without sounding condescending and by using straightforward language. Most of the stories end with a section on the specific lesson he learned.

Some of these stories include:

  • Superhighway to Change
  • The Real Estate Shark
  • You Have No Approval
  • The Ego Beneath the Surface

Highlights

21 – They Are Just Like You – He grew up in an institution for children at risk because his father ran the place and the family lived on the premises. He was taught at an early age that we’re all basically the same, this is one of the lessons that he took to heart during his lifetime. Part of his gold rule for living is to treat others like you would like to be treated.

129 – You Wouldn’t Want to Live In The Past – “When you have completed a significant chapter of your career, let it go.” Be proud about what you did, but move on.

Whether you’re in business, education, healthcare, or just navigating life, this book will challenge you to think deeply about what it means to lead, serve, and strive for excellence.

Final Thoughts

Overall, “Who the F*ck is Michael?!” is more than a leadership book—it’s a mirror for anyone who wants to live with purpose and accountability. It is recommended for readers who appreciate sensible personal advice and also enjoy books on business leadership and personal success.

“A person may appear pitiful and pathetic at first glance; their accent and vocabulary may not be impressive; their attire may not be striking — but that tells you nothing about their ability, their wit, their intelligence or their potential.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book and received a copy. The view and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Related post: Leadership Lessons from a Military Commander: What Elyezer Shkedy’s Book Teaches Us About Success

Leadership Lessons from a Military Commander: What Elyezer Shkedy’s Book Teaches Us About Success

‘Who the F*ck is Michael?!: An Israeli Air Force Chief’s Uncompromising Code for Achieving Greatness’ by Elyezer Shkedy. Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Power of Books on Personal and Business Success

Books on personal and business success offer more than just inspiration—they provide actionable insights, proven strategies, and lessons from top leaders across industries. These works condense decades of experience into digestible, practical advice that can help readers improve their mindset, boost productivity, enhance leadership skills, and sharpen decision-making.

Whether you’re launching a startup or pursuing personal growth, these books offer real-world relevance and motivation. Readers learn from the triumphs and setbacks of renowned entrepreneurs and executives, gaining perspectives that can accelerate their own journeys. Ultimately, these books act as mentors on the page, empowering individuals to achieve their goals with clarity and confidence.

Spotlight on Elyezer Shkedy and “Who the F*ck is Michael?!”

General (Ret.) Elyezer Shkedy served as the fifteenth commander of the Israeli Air Force, where he led numerous strategic operations—including the pivotal Operation Orchard airstrike on Syria’s nuclear reactor. After his military service, he became the CEO of El Al, Israel’s national airline, and currently leads over fifteen educational and social NGOs. As president of I Belong Israel, Shkedy is a prominent voice on leadership, tolerance, and personal values.

His bestselling debut book “Who the F*ck is Michael?!: An Israeli Air Force Chief’s Uncompromising Code for Achieving Greatness” has sold over 30,000 copies in its Hebrew edition and was the most-read book among Israeli military personnel in 2022. (CS Lewis Publicity, 2025)

A Leadership Book Like No Other

“Who the F*ck is Michael?!” is a compelling exploration of leadership, resilience, and personal excellence. Drawing from a career that spans elite military command and corporate leadership, Shkedy shares over 100 real-life stories and insights that stress the importance of hard work, accountability, and moral courage.

Originally published in Hebrew and now available in English, the book received the prestigious Golden Book Award. It stands as a powerful guide for anyone looking to lead with intention, discipline, and integrity.

Inside the Analyst’s Chair: Joan Peters’ Raw and Riveting Journey in ‘Untangling’

‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ is the new book by Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Psychoanalysis, a deep exploration of the unconscious mind, offers a powerful path toward mental health and self-awareness. Rooted in the belief that unspoken thoughts and early experiences shape our behaviors, it invites individuals to uncover, confront, and integrate hidden parts of themselves. In a time when mental health is gaining long-overdue attention, talking openly about therapy and inner struggles is vital. It reduces stigma, encourages others to seek help, and reminds us that healing often begins with honest conversation. Embracing psychoanalysis and mental wellness isn’t just personal—it’s a collective step toward a more compassionate, self-aware society.

The new memoir “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” dares to tell the patient’s side of psychoanalysis. It’s available now wherever books are sold.

Joan K. Peters was born in New York City and got her Ph. D in comparative literature from The University of Chicago. She’s published a novel and two books about women and work and is a professor emeritus of literature and writing at California State University at Channel Islands. She lives in Ojai with her husband, her dogs, and her chickens. In her much-anticipated new book “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis,” she focuses on her experience in psychoanalysis at two different points in her life, comparing two different theoretical and technical analytic views, from the vantage point of her experience as a patient. (CS Lewis Publicity, 2025)

“Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” – With the drama of a novel it tells the story of a turbulent and transformative psychoanalysis in this first ever in-depth patient’s account. Joan K. Peters’ story lays bare the inner workings of this complex treatment, which takes place behind closed doors, is rarely spoken about, and is largely unknown outside of professional circles.

A polished, poetic, and often funny writer, her willingness to expose her own demons brings psychoanalysis to life, from the intense strife to the fierce love that can develop between patient and analyst. Joan’s first analyst, Lane, helped Joan alleviate tormenting and recurring nightmares and to find herself by discovering her family’s secret past. Her second analyst, Kristi, guided her through the frightening depths of that past to a yearned-for freedom.

In another first, Kristi writes an afterword about the challenge of analyzing Peters. Unique in its reach, “Untangling”reveals the mysteries that lurk beneath the surface of our psyches.

Psychoanalysis is full of mysteries — it taps into the subconscious more than any other form of therapy and sets up a unique relationship between analyst and patient. No one really knows exactly how or why it works, just that it does. But one patient, in candidly revealing her own journey, invites readers into that very private patient experience as she grapples with hidden and haunting demons.

Whether due to taboo, fear, shame, or reluctance, very few patients have shared their journey of psychoanalysis with others, let alone written about the experience. Too many people are unaware of the transformative powers that this penetrating, multi-layered therapy has.

In her unique memoir, written in the narrative style of Mary Karr, the author recounts her two analyses — one when she is in her twenties and another in her sixties — that form one continuous story of immense discovery and healing. She dramatizes firsthand accounts of how she and her two very different analysts unlocked the traumas, losses and terrors of her past – enabling her to confront and understand them, and finally feel free to fully enjoy her life. 

Author Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.