Meet the Authors

Steven W. Vannoy

Tell us about the best boss you’ve had.
I’ve had a few good bosses, but where I’ve really learned the most is from some bad bosses – who mostly taught me what not to do. However, I’m grateful to these unnamed bosses because they taught me the quickest ways to destroy both people’s potential and their desire to be great. Conversely, I learned how to create a culture that allows people to be great and excel.
In what area(s) are you currently working on/growing?
- I’m working on becoming a better leader, a better writer, a better facilitator and speaker.
- I’m getting married January 1st, 2008 and I’m working very closely with my soon-to-be wife to define and develop our family culture and how I can be a good spouse and good father.
- The other place I’m really excited about learning and growing right now is with music – I’m actively learning new songs on my guitar, mandolin, violin, ukulele, and vocally.
- I’m strengthening my quad and hip muscles so that my family and I can make it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in July 2008.
What do you want people to know that’s NOT in the book?

Leadership and service is a lifetime journey…what we’ve covered in the book is just the beginning of what we’ll all discover about our own leadership in the next few months and years. The best answers are right in front of us every day as we seek to help our people be as great as they can be.

Steven W. Vannoy

When did the concept of leadership first make an impact in your life?

When I was about five or six, the closest town to our Nebraska farm was Prairie Home, NE - population 49. During the summer months we’d make a visit to the Farmer’s co-op every few weeks. I was fascinated by how my father would walk into the co-op - the chit chat would stop and all eyes and ears would be focused on him. He was a natural-born leader and added tremendous value to the other farmers in our community.
For those of us who haven’t yet written a book, do you have any words of wisdom?

Fall in love with the thousands of lousy first drafts and know that every re-write is moving you ever closer to your goal. Even more importantly…never write for prestige, ego, recognition, or money. Only pick up that pen when you have a better vision for the world and a passionate message to share.
If there were a motto for how you live your life, what would it be?

Step into this moment and enjoy.
Tell us about a defining moment in your life.

Christmas Eve 1987 - I made a choice to live.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Wake up every morning and find a way to inspire my spouse to fall in love with me all over again.