Testimonials

Success is arrived at together, not alone, according to the succinct leadership book Engage. Coach. Develop.

Human resources professional Artell Smith’s concise but practical leadership book Engage. Coach. Develop. includes instructions for forging strong relationships with one’s employees to boost a business’s performance.

With tidy recommendations for building successful teams and guiding one’s employees, this is a book concerned with realizing a business’s full potential by taking advantage of individuals’ strengths. Its work is targeted toward managers at all levels and occupations, with field-tested tips for employee engagement, connection, and rewards. In turn, it promises that employees who are treated as it suggests will themselves attain a sense of professional fulfillment, winding up both happier and more productive.

Casual and conversational, the book dishes out anecdotes and dollops of humor that make its familiar advice more personable: Smith recalls a workplace interaction in which he was told that the company didn’t like smart alecks (“except she didn’t say aleck”); of a senior leader who once forbade the use of the word “feel,” he quips “I don’t think butter would have melted in [his] mouth.” Indeed, the book’s sympathy for those facing common workplace struggles is humanizing. Smith notes that most employee complaints related to managers are about managers being too critical, not acknowledging good work, and not listening, and he shares advice for avoiding these pitfalls by working to understand one’s employees better. The book’s leadership method is rooted in positivity and balanced by the keen acknowledgement of variables like employees’ emotional states.

Interaction models and diagnostic tools are included for greater context, alongside useful lists of tips, questions, and behaviors for mnemonic reinforcement. Encouragements to listen for potential, speak with intent, dance toward insight, and create new thinking are used to illuminate the nuances of employee interactions. The book’s suggestions for possible topics of conversation are expansive too.

Despite its compressed length, the book’s chapters run long and lose focus too often. Still, the basics of engagement, coaching, and development are handled in logical order, and the final chapter does an able job of synthesizing Smith’s insights (alongside the points of view of other authors, including Patrick Lencioni, Daniel Pink, and Steve King, who are referenced to increase credibility throughout, and whose expertise is reflected in the book’s lengthy bibliography).

The leadership guide Engage. Coach. Develop. draws on personal experiences to make suggestions for motivating one’s employees and maximizing success

JOSEPH S. PETE

Foreword The Inside We Love – Clarion Review

Engage. Coach. Develop. Building Strong Relationships That Drive Individual and Team
Performance

A debut guide focuses on controlling the little things in the business world.

“As business leaders,” Smith writes in his book, “it’s our duty to effectively manage our microbehaviors in the workplace.” The term microbehaviors, in this case, refers to the whole suite of small comments, gestures, and actions that can often set the tone of a meeting or conversation. The author wants to stress the radical, atmosphere-shifting difference between greeting a co-worker with “About time” and welcoming the colleague with “Great to see you.” In a fast-paced series of short segments, Smith urges his target audience of managerial leaders to be more aware of these nuances. “Are you seen as grumpy and distant at work?” he asks. “A microbehavior that includes a smile, and a personal comment can change that perception.” His tone throughout is positive and encouraging; he frequently reminds his readers that they are in the driver’s seat when it comes to how microbehaviors will affect their companies. Smith is a clear and forceful writer, and the extent to which he convinces readers about microbehaviors will be determined by how fully they buy into the concept in the first place. Skeptics will say that simple sociability (smiling and being nice) and plain professionalism (refraining from snidely insulting co-workers) aren’t microbehaviors, and they’ll likely bridle at the author’s contention that only “constant reminders and continuous reinforcement” (“In every meeting. During every huddle. At every check-in”) will produce better leaders. But the greatest worth of Smith’s discussion is its universal applicability. In or out of a business setting, people should always be mindful of the common courtesies he champions in these pages. Most readers have had bosses and co-workers who would very much profit from perusing this book.

An upbeat, useful, and nonconfrontational manual on managing microbehaviors in the workplace.

Kirkus Indie Review – No Time To Waste

Microbehaviors; Leveraging the Little Things to Become a Better Leader.

Business managers are often urged to “not sweat the small stuff.” Management consultant and educator Smith disagrees. Smith, who has a background in HR, believes that the “small stuff,” or micro behaviors, can drive organizational performance. A range of practices make up Smith’s micro behaviors, from how managers greet employees, to how they open a meeting, to the questions they ask employees, to the posture they use in one-on-one meetings. Employees are watching and reacting to everything managers do, Smith writes, advising managers to consider their own worldviews and how they influence micro behaviors. Smith also explores the impact of micro behaviors on DEI and much more. This short book is written in crisp, relatable prose, peppered with dialogues based on real situations, a composite of Smith’s reimagined conversations with an ideal mentor. Business managers, especially those in HR-related functions, will find a worthy collection of tips here for improving employee relationships and communications by paying attention to the “small stuff.”

NO TIME TO WASTE – BLUE INK REVIEW

Microbehaviors; Leveraging the Little Things to Become a Better Leader.

“Taj’s Sabbatical is a captivating and thought-provoking science fiction and fantasy novel that explores a rich and intricate world with deep character development. The father-son duo of Artell and Troy seem to have created a story that goes beyond the surface of typical genre fiction, delving into profound themes and hidden lessons.

The emphasis on dedicated, realistic world-building and the incorporation of authentic emotions into the characters’ lives suggests a commitment to creating a believable and immersive narrative. It’s evident in the work that Troy was exposed while growing up to stories ranging from Middle-earth, the Forgotten Realms, to the Myths of the Fremen, and many more. The diverse influences indicate a wide range of inspirations that contribute to the novel’s depth and complexity.”

Characterization

The characterization of Fayzaan, the Crown Prince of the House of Al-Azidi, as a villain, yet a character observed uniquely, adds an intriguing dimension to the story. The contrasting character of Taj, whom the reader falls in love with, and the lengths that Lothair can go to protect Taj hints at a complex interplay of emotions and moral shades within the narrative. The connection between numerous characters, Taj, Jayce, Lothair, Taddy, Dyani, Fencer, Sammy, etc., is described in a compelling manner that adds an emotional anchor to the story.”

Lessons

The veiled lessons, such as the idea that a clone cannot replicate human connection, indicate a deeper exploration of philosophical and ethical themes.

Significant Elements

Incorporating various elements like love, care, revenge, mystery, responsibility, and friendship suggests a rich and multifaceted narrative. The analogy of synths behaving like humans in the machinery adds a fascinating layer to the exploration of artificial intelligence. The technical aspects of the novel, plausibly connecting future technologies, highlight the authors’ dedication to research and attention to detail.

Visually Suggestive

It’s impressive how the action scenes in Taj’s Sabbatical are described in a cinematic and visually evocative manner. Being able to convey the intensity and excitement of action scenes in a way that mirrors the experience of a visual movie is a skill that enhances the immersive quality of the narrative.”

Conclusive

Taj’s Sabbatical is a thriller that encourages readers to revisit certain scenes multiple times, which speaks volumes to the story’s complexity and depth. Overall, Taj’s Sabbatical offers entertainment and a reflective and thought-provoking journey into a world that sparks the imagination.

Sequel

The anticipation for a sequel to the novel successfully leaves the readers hungry for more, suggesting a wonderful, engaging reading experience.

Taj’s Sabbatical catapults readers into a universe where the stakes are cosmic, and the enforcer’s journey against a villain threatening his family is nothing short of electrifying. Artell and Troy has crafted a narrative that seamlessly blends the awe-inspiring vastness of space with the deeply personal struggles of the protagonist. The futuristic elements are imaginative and grounded, creating a world that feels alien and intimately relatable.”

Daniel Pearl

Artell and Troy’s Taj’s Sabbatical comprises vivid and evocative writing, painting a picture of alien worlds and advanced technologies that will transport readers to the farthest reaches of their imaginations. The epic battle scenes, the secrets, and the introduction of new characters throughout the book make it a fantastic read.”

Maria Robertson