I am reading the most fascinating book right now and feel compelled to share it with anyone I can. Considering some of the projects with which I’m involved and my role itself in this growing company (not to mention being a very busy mother of two sons), issues of leadership are frequently on my mind. The book I speak of is called The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult, by Alice Walker. Through essays, journal entries and her own never-used screenplay, she examines the years in her life before, during, and after writing the Pulitzer Prize winning The Color Purple...and then setting it off into the world. Once it was out there, the controversy began. Amidst an undercurrent–and sometimes a tempest–of misogyny and racism, she found the strength to persevere. The effect of this brilliant work of art reverberates all of these years later. On the surface, hers is not a story of leadership, per se, but I personally see the legacy of Walker’s work as a brilliant example of it. Taking a stand, believing in the truth of your message and repeating it again and again (whether you’re an artist or a business person or both), requires you to lead fearlessly. Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself…I’m only several chapters into it. I will post updates as I progress. In the meantime, if you get the chance to read this book, DO!