Life Entrepreneurs - (J-B Warren Bennis) by Christopher Gergen & Gregg Vanourek (Hardcover)

About the Book

A generation of life entrepreneurs is emerging: people who apply their vision, talents, and energy not only to their work but to their entire lives. Successful entrepreneurs Gergen and Vanourek provide examples and strategies for how to rev up work and play through entrepreneurial leadership.

Book Synopsis

"An inspirational and practical guide for anyone who wants to incorporate the dynamic skills of entrepreneurs into their own lives and work.

A new generation of "life entrepreneurs" is emerging: people who apply their vision, talents, creativity, and energy not only to their work but to their entire lives, changing the world for themselves and those around them. In this book, successful entrepreneurs Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek draw on numerous interviews with fifty-five leading entrepreneurs worldwide as well as the wisdom of multiple thought leaders to provide vivid examples, moving vignettes, concrete frameworks, and practical strategies for revving up our work and play through entrepreneurial leadership. This book starts by providing strategies for integrating life, work, and purpose and ends by capturing the implications of the current entrepreneurial boom for our workplaces, learning institutions, communities, and families.

Christopher Gergen (Washington, D.C.) is a founding partner of New Mountain Ventures, co-founder and chairman of SMARTHINKING, Adjunct Professor and Director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative at Duke University, and a life-long entrepreneur,

Gregg Vanourek (Thornton, CO) is a founding partner of New Mountain Ventures, former CEO of Vanourek Consulting Solutions, and former Senior Vice President of School Development for K12 Inc."

From the Back Cover

LIFE ENTREPRENEURS

Ordinary people creating extraordinary lives. Leaders excelling through the power of entrepreneurship. Rising generations taking command of their lives and work by integrating them. But how?

Life Entrepreneurs is an uplifting and practical guide for enriching our quality of life and revving up our work through the dynamic force of entrepreneurial leadership.

A new type of leader is emerging: people who apply their vision, talents, creativity, and energy not only to their work but to their entire lives, changing the world for themselves and those around them. These people are not just living their lives--they're leading them. Welcome to the territory of life entrepreneurs.

In this book, successful entrepreneurs Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek draw on interviews with fifty-five leading entrepreneurs worldwide as well as on the wisdom of multiple thought leaders to provide practical strategies, concrete frameworks, vivid examples, and moving vignettes for leading a life of adventure, service, and purpose.

Today, people are looking for opportunity, challenge, and the chance to develop their talents, achieve success, and make an impact. But they are also looking for a rich home life, rewarding friendships, an active lifestyle, and deeper fulfillment. Life entrepreneurs are able to thrive in all these realms by proactively taking the following steps:

• DISCOVERING CORE IDENTITY
• AWAKENING TO OPPORTUNITY
• ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
• DEVELOPING GOALS AND STRATEGIES
• BUILDING HEALTHY SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• TAKING ACTION AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE
• EMBRACING RENEWAL AND REINVENTION

Life Entrepreneurs is filled with inspiring stories and practical strategies for integrating life, work, and purpose, and captures the implications of today's entrepreneurial boom for our workplaces, learning institutions, communities, and families. Whether you're an emerging or established leader--or a person experiencing significant changes and seeking direction--this is a vital read.

About the Author

The Authors

CHRISTOPHER GERGEN is a founding partner of New Mountain Ventures and a lifelong entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and chairman of SMARTHINKING, the leading provider of online tutoring in the U.S. He is also a visiting lecturer and director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative in the Hart Leadership Program at Duke University. Christopher lives with his wife and two children in Washington, D.C.

GREGG VANOUREK is a founding partner of New Mountain Ventures. Previously, he ran Vanourek Consulting Solutions and served as senior vice president of School Development for K12 Inc., and vice president for Programs at the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation. He is coauthor of Charter Schools in Action and lives with his wife and daughter in Denver, Colorado.