Book Description

Working to better the world can be exhausting. What if there's an alternate strategy--which consumes less time and energy--and yields greater results? That's the definition of a catalyst. It works in the lab and it works in real life.Whether you're slaying the dragon of social inequities, breaking down barriers to effective education, or cheerleading B-Corps that share profits with the under-resourced--there is the formula to get it done faster and smarter.In fact, it equipped John Bost to move the needle in all five sectors--public education, business, politics, religion, and social activism. Unconventional? Yes. Applicable? More than ever!*Master the Lever of Change -know when to push, when to back off, and how to manage the pushback.*Sharpen your others-oriented skills with mindful Appreciative Inquiry.*Become fluent in the language of Cross-sector Collaboration.Capture in a few hours what it took Bost 50 years to discover. By retracing his steps, you'll secure the "whys" as well as the "whats" and "hows." Then, you will have a few more tools to tackle the mission that you were called to accomplish. It works. It's waiting. It's time.ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Bost fondly refers to himself as a blind hog in a field of acorns. In other words, life is so full of opportunities to do what is best for everyone, that it doesn't take extraordinary skills. It takes heart.He learned to be "others-oriented" from his father and grandfather--blue-collar workers who respected all people long before it was politically correct. Standing on this core value--genuinely caring about the other person--Bost has built relationships that have lasted a lifetime.In fact, he claims, "Relational capital is the most precious asset that I own. And I will protect my relationships at all cost."It's these hard-earned relationships; with people in all five sectors, that consistently allow Bost to be the catalyst--the trusted connector--to achieve results only possible with cross-sector collaboration.His record stands for itself--50 years in five sectors moving the needle--Public Education (Associate Superintendent), Religion (Executive Pastor), Business (Owner), Politics (Mayor), and Social Reform (Activist).While most of his learning came from living and giving, he did earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master's in Community Development, and subsequently an Ed.S. in Leadership and Administration from Appalachian State University.In 2018, Appalachian State University inducted John Bost into the Rhododendron Society, in honor of his significant impact as a teacher and a humanitarian. Like the rhododendron flower, Bost continues to bloom. Bost lives with his wife and soulmate, LaDonna Setzer Bost, in Clemmons, North Carolina. ABOUT THE CO-AUTHOR Award-winning writer, Patty Jo Sawvel, learned the art of storytelling on her father's knee. Bypassing the traditional route of college, Sawvel jumped into the newspaper business.In her first year, the North Carolina Press Association awarded her work First Place for investigative reporting. Within two years, she'd collected a second award.Next, Sawvel honed her skills as a journalist by writing cover stories on her favorite subjects--people and their awe-inspiring lives. It was then that Sawvel found her true fascination--writing and publishing biographies.Her trademark--capturing the voice of her client, while connecting the reader to the story in a most personal way. Three of her authored/co-authored works have received global recognition*, including her own story, Under the Influence: The Town That Listened to its Kids. "I've always wanted to know how the 'real world' works. John Bost to the rescue! He pulls back the curtains--exposing the inner-workings of all five sectors. As a result, I've adopted new approaches to old problems--resulting in better outcomes. John's gems are unconventional, authentic, and highly relevant."