The Beekeeper - by Katie P Desiderio & Michael G Frino (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Catherine had just celebrated her 43rd birthday on May 20th. Her dream of owning and running a thriving company was coming true. Essentially Proximal's essential oil line was becoming a major success, and her company was in growth mode. As a female business owner, she was doing her best to promote positive culture at work and retain talent. Her goal was to build a diverse high-performing and inclusive leadership team, but her leadership team was struggling to put people first and live the mission and values of the company. She had to make some serious changes to ensure the future success of the company. She decided to take some time over the summer to re-charge with her family. When the family arrived at H. Ives Family Farms, Catherine quickly realized that the farm was much more than just a family vacation. It was where she learned to become The Beekeeper, enabling her to transform the culture at Essentially Proximal. The story brings to life the world of a Beekeeper and how understanding bees' role in the growth of all things around us has transferable knowledge for anyone wanting to effectively lead. Families, organizations, and farms need more Beekeepers, and this book is the catalyst to becoming one"--

Book Synopsis

A WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

Put yourself at the center of your team's learning and growth

In The Beekeeper, a team of renowned management and leadership professionals deliver an insightful and engaging exploration of what it means to place oneself at the core of learning and growth for the members of your organization.

The story is told through the eyes of Catherine, the 43-year-old founder and owner of a rapidly growing business. You'll follow her as she transforms the way she leads and inspires others, revolutionizing the culture at her company by learning from the people around her. The authors lead you through practical strategies and techniques you can implement immediately to achieve extraordinary results in your life and in your business. You'll learn about:

• Taking a central and active role in the growth and maturation of your employees and leadership team members
• The author's "Art of Learning to Be Proximal," a strategy for placing yourself at the core of your company's growth
• Methods for ensuring your team is putting people first and living your company's mission and values

An indispensable guide for founders, entrepreneurs, managers, and executives at growing companies, The Beekeeper will also earn a place on the bookshelves of company board members looking for ways to best contribute to their firm's ongoing success.

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR THE BEEKEEPER

"As the story unfolds, a number of leadership principles derived from what Catherine learns about bees are revealed. Enlightening...as business fables go, this one largely succeeds."
--KIRKUS REVIEWS

"Weaving storytelling and science, Desiderio and Frino provide leaders from all walks of life with sound advice for generating growth--personal, organizational, and societal. This is a wonderful read that can transform your life and your environment!"
--DR. TAL BEN-SHAHAR, Author and Professor, Harvard University

"Much more than a leadership fable, through storytelling, Katie and Mike remind us of how important the Pygmalion effect is to human behavior. The examples of 'how to be' illuminate that when people believe in you, it can change behaviors and transform both individuals and organizations."
--FRANCESCA GINO, Author and Professor, Harvard Business School

"Written as a fable, yet a blueprint for growth by design, Desiderio and Frino eloquently help leaders focus on their people, improve communication, and be calm amid the storm. A must-read for anyone who leads people and wants to influence change within their organization!"
--THOMAS C. MURRAY, Director of Innovation, Future Ready Schools, and bestselling author

"The Beekeeper is jam-packed with tons of valuable take-home insights that can help you transform your life and business in whatever phase you find yourself in."
--DANIEL DEL OLMO, President, Sage Hospitality Group

"This isn't just a fable. It is a digestible treatise on how to Be in the context of leading, and being a member of, an organization. The reader is encouraged to look at the whole organization--the structure, the operating model, and perhaps most importantly its purpose--in pursuit of a much grander ambition that any individual could achieve on their own."
--BILL SCHANINGER, Author and Senior Partner, McKinsey & Co.

"It has been such a privilege to read and be(e) inspired!"
--LAURA KELLERS QUEEN, Ed.D., Author and Founder / CEO, 29Bison

"Desiderio and Frino have created an unassuming leadership tale that salespeople from the newest person on your team to the seasoned veteran can apply to take sales growth to the next level."
--BILL HAWKINS, Author and Founding Member, The Marshall Goldsmith Group

About the Author

Katie P. Desiderio, MBA, PhD, is a Wiley DiSC Partner and Partner in Learning at Proximal Development, LLC, her leadership development consultancy. She is also Professor of Management at Moravian University's School of Business and Economics.

Michael G. Frino, MBA, PhD, is a Wiley DiSC Partner and oversees Human Capital Development for a division of a Fortune 500 MedTech Company. He also leads DE&I program management and leadership development.