The Art of Original Thinking–The Making of a Thought Leader

With the passing of Peter F. Drucker, the consummate thought leader, we all need to
read Jan Phillips’ book and adopt as our own her challenge to free ourselves from
illusions and create a better life and business.
KEN SHELTON, CHAIRMAN AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Executive Excellence Publishing

In a world of inevitable chaos and complexity, The Art of Original Thinking–
The Making of a Thought Leader helps show that social consciousness and corporate
performance can be simultaneously managed. Paradoxes of profit and people, growth
and continuity, learning and heritage, collaboration and competition may be sources of
tension that thoughtful leaders face and manage. The principles in the book can be used
by leaders at all levels to generate new insights into old problems.
DAVE ULRICH, PH.D.
Professor, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

Jan Phillips’ wonderful writing style together with powerful content in The Art of
Original Thinking–The Making of a Thought Leader has made me take a hard
look at business as usual in America. She debunks the myth that profit-making and
social consciousness are poles apart. Brava, Jan, for asking the right questions!
STANLEY WESTREICH
Capital One Financial, Board of Directors; Partner, Westfield Realty

What sets apart The Art of Original Thinking–The Making of a Thought
Leader is the deep reservoir of hope that underlies the powerful ideas and message.
Referencing leaders in many fields, Jan Phillips shows how creativity and original
thinking can help heal our businesses and planet.
FREDERIC LUSKIN, PH.D.
Director, Stanford Forgiveness Projects; Author of Forgive for Good

At last, a book that unites the web of commerce with the web of life and provokes the
unsettling questions that all true leaders need. What more could a leader want than to
know how to leave a legacy of creative contribution!
EILEEN MCDARGH, CSP, CPAE
President, McDargh Communications and The Resiliency Group

The Art of Original Thinking–The Making of a Thought Leader is a must
read for anyone wanting to expand their thinking about work and life. Jan Phillips'
practical insights will help you re-examine the assumptions by which you think and
enhance your sense of life purpose.
RICHARD CHANG, CEO, RICHARD CHANG ASSOCIATES, INC.
Author of The Passion Plan and The Passion Plan at Work

Jan Phillips has truly captured the essence of being a thought leader. By zooming in
on prominent aspects of today’s business world, Phillips accurately and efficiently
demonstrates the NEED for innovative thought and leadership. Her flowing and easy-tounderstand
writing style appropriately inspires readers to embrace the fact that they too
can become a successful thought leader. The Art of Original Thinking–The Making
of a Thought Leader articulately maps out the steps necessary to seize one’s ideas and
transform them into desired knowledge. I recommend this book to motivate the inventive
thinker in all of us.
KEN LIZOTTE, CMC
Chief Imaginative Officer, Emerson Consulting Group, Inc.

Captivating stories, compelling examples and creative content. You will absolutely
learn something new and original from reading this enjoyable book. DR. TONY ALESSANDRA
Author of Charisma and The Platinum Rule

Several thousand books on leadership have been written in recent years; this is one
of the best. Jan Phillips describes the courage, actions and behaviors of creative thought
leaders who get exceptional results by building trust and relationships combined with
clarity of vision, purpose and core values to inspire people who see their work as
something far beyond themselves. The uniqueness of the book is that it effectively addresses
the dimension of successfully meshing corporate profit and goals with those of our global
environmental and resource issues.
RICHARD A. MCNEECE, LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT
Former Chairman and CEO, First National Bancorp

Jan Phillips is the ORIGINAL original thinker. Her powerful book will stir your gray
matter, shift your paradigms, and allow you to experience a new way of thinking.
Everything you do, see and contemplate will be changed as a result of reading this
inspiring and thought-provoking work. Read it as if your life and the life of our planet
depended on it.
JENNI PRISK, CEO, PRISK COMMUNICATION
Founder and President of Voices of Women

I love the spirit of this book. It is greatly needed at this time in human history. The
challenges we face are daunting and discouraging, but Jan Phillips gives us a high
energy, uplifting vision of how we can all see beyond the false dualities such as
sustainability and profit, and makes us believe that each of us can make our unique
contribution to the “original thinking” required to turn that vision into reality. Not only
does she inspire, but she gives us a practicum through her own thought leadership!
JIM ZULL, PH.D.
Author of The Art of Changing the Brain

I was struck by three things. First, she knows what she’s talking about. By
integrating the works of giants like Peter Drucker, Peter Senge and Paul Hawken she
makes a strong case for leadership based on individual, original thinking that inspires
the community to follow her lead. The humble, generous, self-offering leader leads by
deed.
Second, she is an engaging storyteller. She understands the power of an anecdote to
reinforce her main points. She says it well: "If a story can move you from thought to
action, then you know the power of a well-told tale."

Third, Ms. Phillips makes a persuasive case that the best leaders in the 21st century
will be individuals from organizations that understand that it is in their grandchildren's
best interest to maximize the triple bottom line. These thought leaders will inspire and
motivate the human capital within their organizations to maximize economic profits
while leaving no footprints in the sand.
In conclusion, Ms. Phillips thinks outside the parallelogram. I will recommend this
book to my students.
DR. CURTIS L. DEBERG, FOUNDER OF SAGE
Professor of Business, California State University, Chico

Jan Phillips has done her homework in taking this giant step forward in reshaping
our world view. Clear, concise–a true horizon of hope.
MARILYN J. MASON, PH.D., PRESIDENT, MASON & ASSOCIATES
Author of Igniting the Spirit at Work: Daily Reflections

Jan Phillips mentors leaders at all levels with her forthright advice, her deep personal
experience and her ability to draw on a vast array of resources and references to educate
her readers and amplify her points. The author makes a very unique contribution to
what has already been placed on the vast list of leadership books. Thank you, Jan, for
providing such a vivid picture of what the modern leader must do to impact others in
their own organization and beyond its boundaries as well.
DR. BEVERLY KAYE, CEO/FOUNDER, CAREER SYSTEM INTERNATIONAL
Author of Up is Not the Only way; coauthor of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em

I was immediately drawn into the stories, examples and cutting-edge research. Jan
easily moves between age-old wisdom and provocative thinking. She shows that you can
use original approaches to win on all fronts. A must-read for anyone interested in
authentic leadership!
BONNIE ST. JOHN, MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMS, THE LEADER’S EDGE
Author of Succeeding Sane: Making Room for Joy in a Crazy World

The Art of Original Thinking is a timely and important book. It truly engaged
me and sparked a shift in my thinking – how I view myself, my business and just how
connected we all are in this global community we are creating.
JACQUELINE TOWNSEND, CEO, Townsend, Inc.

Author By: Jan Phillips