My book, Break the Mold, is now available for pre-order.
I try to live by a simple rule… If I say I want to do something enough times, I do it.
For many years, one of those things has been writing a book. As 2024 came to a close, I knew it was time.
Earlier this year, I started the book-writing journey, and after finding an incredible writing partner in Kristy Short, Ed.D., we got to work.
What a ride it's been...
Frankly, writing a book has been one of the most challenging and most rewarding things I have ever done. When it comes to business, I find it’s much easier for me to take calls, help companies and leaders with strategy and participate in interviews and podcasts because I can think and respond on the fly.
Sitting down to think, plan, and write each word of a book? It requires focus, concentration, and undivided attention—not to mention a willingness to dive into the details, unlike ever before.
Sometimes it drives me mad. It’s been incredibly challenging to develop the writing practices needed to create the book, and also extremely rewarding to look back on the things that we collectively accomplished at Baker Tilly and gain new perspectives.
And after months of countless interviews, calls with former colleagues, plane rides spent putting my thoughts together, and numerous reviews of drafts, I can finally say my book, Break the Mold, is done.
This isn’t a book about running an accounting firm.
It’s a book about thinking differently—and moving people to act differently.
Yes, the stories come from my time leading Baker Tilly…but that’s just how I make the principles real. The principles themselves? They work anywhere there are people involved. I’ve seen them drive change in accounting, tech, PR firms, manufacturing, and startups. And I share stories from my recent advisory clients in the book.
Achieving differentiated results starts with thinking differently. It starts with being willing to challenge the status quo and not accept that what got us here will get us to where we need to go. Achieving differentiated results starts with no longer accepting that good enough is good enough.
So this is a book for the leaders. The bold thinkers. The future trendsetters. The ones who want to drive transformation and change in their organization, their industry, and beyond.
It’s for ANYONE who wants to Break the Mold.
As a thank you for being part of my community, I'm giving you an exclusive preview of Break the Mold—a downloadable preview that includes the prologue and first chapter of the book.
I hope it's enough to give you a feel for the personal nature of the book, the anecdotes from my experiences, and the incredibly practical and experience-based business insights that are packed into 280 pages.
Download your exclusive preview ---- > BTM-Prologue-Chapter1-ReadSample.pdf
And, of course, if it leaves you wanting more (which I sure hope it does), you can use the pre-order link below to purchase your own copy.
Thank you for being in this community and being on the journey with me. It means the world. I hope you enjoy the book and look forward to hearing your takeaways.
That's it for this week.
With intention,
Alan D. Whitman
Download your exclusive preview ---- > BTM-Prologue-Chapter1-ReadSample.pdf
Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you and your organization:
Follow me on LinkedIn for tactical advice and insights from my years of experience leading organizations and advising CEOs and their teams.
Advisory & Coaching: Book a discovery call if you'd like to have a conversation about working together to help you and your organization BREAK THE MOLD™ and achieve differentiated outcomes.
Mentorship: If you're a young professional, book a 1:1 mentorship call to ask me any questions or talk through a professional scenario to help you grow.