"We found Growing the Distance useful as a self-study resource for our Royal Bank Financial Group participants in a recent senior management program we conducted. Growing the Distance is very compelling on both a business and personal level, and it tied in very well to the learnings of our program."
Joyce Marino, Program Manager, Executive Development - Royal Bank Financial Group
"At SanMar Canada we believe in growing our people... philosophically we think it is the only way to grow our business...and Growing the Distance provides an excellent framework and reference."
Howie Todd, Vice President, SanMar Canada
"Growing the Distance reinforces some important values that we often forget about...it helps pull these together in a way that is very encouraging. Copies were given to staff as recognition for their contribution to the organization, and as another tool for their personal development."
Shirley Sung, Health Promotion Manager, BC Hydro
"We have used Growing the Distance as part of the launch of our new business plan this year. An important part of our focus to make our environment of change more manageable is how individuals can contribute, and take charge of their own destiny, and work life. This change is a two-way street — it's not something management can impose. Every employee received a copy of Growing the Distance, and Jim launched the session at our kickoff. It has been a wonderful success. A number of employees have said that they feel it has changed their lives forever. It's very motivational. I'm recommending it highly to people who are struggling with balancing home life, personal life, spiritual life, trying to define where they are going, and what they are doing. I've actually heard from a couple of spouses of employees that the book was just incredible. I've also had feedback suggesting that we have Jim come into our regular monthly all-employee meetings to talk about some of the principles in this book, such as finding balance in life, how to take charge, and take responsibility."
Cindy McNichol, Vice President, People & Values, Maritz Canada
"We bought 10 copies of Growing the Distance and we use it all the time in our leadership meetings. We read excerpts, work through the exercises together, and then discuss the ideas. I also presented Chapter 5 (Passion and Commitment) to our entire Ottawa team (approximately 50 people) and used "presenters" who read passages. It was very effective and extremely well received. Many thanks for all the great ideas!
Brian Locking, Operations Manager, Real Estate Distribution Services
"In reading "Growing the distance", it struck me how using short formats and accessible/evocative terms, you touch the essence of what most human beings wish to achieve, that is: evolve towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life. I think your book is at the junction of psychology and philosophy, in that it shows how simple changes in our perceptions and attitudes, can transform inner (and often unconscious or unspoken) aspirations into a global philosophy of life. The beauty of the principles established in your book is that they can be applied in various fields of our lives and arise at different stages and degrees, in the constantly renewed challenges we encounter."
Hélène Rouleau, Senior Counsel, Law Department (Quebec), RBC Financial Group
"What a fantastic read! I have never read a book on leadership that combined such a complete package. It is an easy read, yet it took me a while to read it, because within each page was so much thought-provoking information that you just said, "wow" and reread it again (out loud). Fantastic! I can't say enough, but I can say thank you.
Brian Carr, Business Owner
"I just finished reading Growing the Distance while on holidays. I wanted to say thank you for such a tremendous book - the thoughts and ideas will be something that will be used by myself and with my team for a long time. Every once in a while, I come across some work that helps me refocus and hopefully grow - I believe your book will help me do that."
Bob King, Marketing Manager, Wilkinson Steel