As president of TeleArk, I’m a big fan of constant conducting self-assessments not only on myself, but also my business habits. I’ve just recently finished reading an insightful and often humorous book by Dick Olenych call “Joe Sails: A Story in Progress”. I just so happen to have the book signed by the author and brought it with me on a recent trip. The basic premise behind the book is (convenient stolen from the back cover):

“This is a business book that does not tell you what to do. Instead, it is a book that encourages the reader to examine his or her own business behaviors to bring about change one person at a time.”

One of Dick’s hopes from anyone reading this book is to “inspire you to reflect on your own behavioral core competencies.” From the main character of the book, Joe, to Joe’s sales manager Bobbi and one of Joe’s peers Bills (yes, Bills with an ‘s’) almost everyone in business can relate to the experiences of each of the characters. The approach of providing the recommendations for motivating employees about how to analyze our own “core competencies” is very well done by tying everything together into a single entertaining story line. To give some of those interested in the list of what one of Dick’s characters Bobbi thinks are our own core competencies, I have listed them below.

• Empathy
• Desire
• Attitude
• Commitment and Timeliness
• Accurate Communications

A good exercise that I found was to read the book to reference each time Dick touches on each of the core competencies listed above. It helped me with providing a basic framework to take away after reading it for the second time.

In addition, there were a few very useful nuggets of information on interviewing questions. For instance, during your next interview ask someone if they could pick the days of the week to have a three day weekend, which would they prefer? The choices were a three day weekend Friday through Sunday or a three day weekend Saturday through Monday. You’ll have to read the book to get Dick’s thoughts from Bills’ character on the meaning behind the question and also find out why Bills is called Bills with an ‘s’.

Often you will find books with reviews that really do not match to the content written. However, “Joe Sails” does a particularly great job with holding up to the number of the reviews referenced on the back. This is especially true of the reference to the book being “a neat alternative to “7 Habits of Highly Influential People” and “Who Moved My Cheese.” Both of which are very well known books on self improvement and helping people break out of the day-to-day grind and the felling of being stuck in life. Dick’s characters take on a similar approach by allowing the reader to relate to the experiences and lessons Joe experiences. I took away several valuable lessons that I hope to apply to myself and even share with those around me to encourage improvement.

“Joe Sails” is an excellent book for entertainment and even self-improvement. The stories are rather comical at times and I found it very interesting how much I could personally relate or knew someone just like many of the characters. This book is a perfect read on a couple hour flight or in your free time as it is separated into multiple short stories that all tie together. You can pick up a copy at Amazon.com or your favorite book store. I know I will be passing this onto some of my colleagues and even employees to see if it helps them improve their own core competencies.