Jim Ballard – författare

A compendium of straightforward techniques on how to accentuate the positive and redirect the negative, increasing productivity at work and at home.What do your people at work and your spouse and kids at home have in common with a five-ton killer whale? Probably a whole lot more than you think, according to top business consultant and mega-bestselling author Ken Blanchard and his coauthors from SeaWorld. In this moving and inspirational new book, Blanchard explains that both whales and people perform better when you accentuate the positive. He shows how using the techniques of animal trainers -- specifically those responsible for the killer whales of SeaWorld -- can supercharge your effectiveness at work and at home. When gruff business manager and family man Wes Kingsley visited SeaWorld, he marveled at the ability of the trainers to get these huge killer whales, among the most feared predators in the ocean, to perform amazing acrobatic leaps and dives. Later, talking to the chief trainer, he learned their techniques of building trust, accentuating the positive, and redirecting negative behavior -- all of which make these extraordinary performances possible. Kingsley took a hard look at his own often accusatory management style and recognized how some of his shortcomings as a manager, spouse, and father actually diminish trust and damage relationships. He began to see the difference between "GOTcha" (catching people doing things wrong) and "Whale Done!" (catching people doing things right). In Whale Done!, Ken Blanchard shows how to make accentuating the positive and redirecting the negative the best tools to increase productivity, instead of creating situations that demoralize people. These techniques are remarkably easy to master and can be applied equally well at home, allowing readers to become better parents and more committed spouses in their happier and more successful personal lives.

Little Wave and Old Swell recounts a journey across the sea made by impetuous Little Wave and his sage teacher, Old Swell. Their allegorical adventure points young and old readers toward the enduring questions: Where did I come from? What is the nature of life? What happens when I die? Old Swell''s lessons remind us to stop amidst the rush and clamor of life, calm ourselves, and look within. Little Wave''s misadventures show us how our noisy, competitive lives can distract us from life''s important questions. The book''s mantra Don''t hurry; don''t stop suggests the pace of a long ocean swell as an alternative to today''s frenetic tempo. Written with uncomplicated charm by Jim Ballard -- including original oil paintings by Catherine M. Elliott and a foreword by bestselling author, Ken Blanchard -- this timeless tale is certain to take its place with other classic and engaging parables such as The Little Prince and Jonathan Livingston Seagull.