Sync or Swim: A light read about difficult situations and working together during a crisis
Holidays are a great time to enjoy some light reading. But we are also in the midst of difficult circumstances –team members spread out, supply chain challenges, and being short-staffed. Sync or Swim helps you understand underlying issues that will assist you and your team as you work through these challenges. Through a fun, story format, you’ll read about various personality types and how they often respond to stress. And you’ll learn practical ways to “pull your team together.” (It is also is a great way to introduce friends, family and colleagues to the 5 languages of appreciation.)
Humans are hard-wired for a story and fables cut through complexity to reveal simple wisdom. In them we see our own predicaments and reactions, both wise and foolish. Sync or Swim is written to be an entertaining, quick read, illustrating ways to communicate effectively and generate productive teamwork. Each character responds in different ways to the same situation – as each of us does.
The challenges the characters face while trying to cope with an impending catastrophe sheds light on practical steps that can be taken to help teams work together (instead of against one another) during highly stressful times.
Leaders’ Reactions to Sync or Swim
We shared Sync or Swim with a wide variety of managers, trainers and other leaders and these were just a few of the positive responses we received:
- “Sync or Swim is a quick and easy read with a simple but powerful message for anyone who hopes to effectively manage and lead others. It reminds us of what we all need to remember but too quickly forget – that everyone needs appreciation, but that everyone needs it communicated in their own unique way.” – Jack Canfield, Coauthor of The Success Principles and Chick Soup for the Soul at Work
- “I’ve always said the business is easy… until people get involved. The key word is teamwork. If you can’t work together, you can’t win together. In Sync or Swim, Chapman, White, and Myra tell a quick, fun story that gives you the tools you need to bring your people together like never before.” – Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio show host
- “I was sitting waiting to board a flight, with twenty things on my to-do list. But I decided to look at this fable… and couldn’t stop reading! It really drew me in and I instantly started thinking about how I purposefully need to tell (and show) my amazing team members how much I genuinely appreciate them – and to do so much more often. Sync or Swim makes a tremendously important point in an incredibly simple way – that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget.” – Shaunti Feldhahn, Author, For Women Only and The Male Factor
Meet some of the colorful characters in the book:
Sam, CEO: The story is told from Sam’s point of view. He’s an optimist who begins the book thinking he knows it all and can easily step in to fix the company’s problems. He soon learns that before you can lead change, you must learn to communicate effectively.
Tia, Head of Human Resources: “You wouldn’t believe all the negativism around here! … How am I supposed to help employees when they won’t work together, and they sit around blaming each other for all the lost work orders and not meeting deadlines?”
Olympia, Local Entrepreneur, Professor, Consultant: “When workers feel used and not valued as individuals, rewarding them for what they’ve done backfires. They have to feel valued for more than just what they can produce. They’re persons, not replacement parts.”
“Ever run a machine without oil? Pretty soon, metal grinds against metal. Without it, work grinds on worker. Spark, ignite resentment and then cynicism. What’s vital is communicating authentic appreciation. It’s organizational oil.”
You’ll also meet:
- Alana, the condescending marketing manager;
- Briana, the energetic intern;
- Frisco, the gruff head of maintenance;
- Giselle, the smooth communications director; and
- Henry, the conservative CFO.
Sync or Swim will help you and your team break through the challenges from current life circumstances to inspire teamwork and create an engaging work environment. And after the story, you’ll find responses and questions to stimulate your thinking and discussions.
* * * * *
Sync or Swim is now available in paperback and right now we are offering a special price. The new paperback version normally costs $14.99, but we are currently offering autographed copies for just $9.99, (plus shipping) for the first 100 books purchased at this price, Dr. White will autograph each one. Use code HolidaySOS at check out, offer good until 12/24/2022.
Share this:
Categories Appreciation, Communication, Managing By Appreciation, Sync or Swim
4 Comments
Greetings! The code “HolidaySOS” doesn’t work at checkout. I tried both “HolidaySOS” and “HOLIDAYSOS”. Thank you kindly.
Rebecca, sorry (and surprised) to hear this. I will have one of our customer service representatives reach out to you directly to resolve the issue.
I purchased your book last year and read it. You could rewrite the ending. Hope this observation will be taken in a spirit of how to improve your book rather than judgement. Haven’t you noticed in your own reading of books how many fall flat at the end?
Jeanne, thanks for your feedback – I’m always open to constructive input. We will definitely look at how the book ends before reprinting it. Unfortunately, the process is fairly complex and includes timing (when more copies of the book need to be printed), so it may take a while but we’ll give it a go!