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‘Thank You for Your Lessons’ is Eakman’s latest book

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Former Las Cruces City Councilor Jack Eakman has published his second book.

“Thank You for Your Lessons” focuses on leadership and mentorship informed by his service on the council, as well as many years as a management executive.

Eakman said he was inspired to write his first book, “Thank You for Leading: A Tribute to Mentor/Leaders,” by his strong belief that leadership is a calling, and “Thank You for Your Lessons” is a continuation of that theme.

The new book, he said, was two decades in the making.

“I tell in the book about retiring from hospital administration and relocating to become a phenomenal skier and golfer,” he said. “After unpacking in the new community, I needed to debrief myself of all the wonderful lessons persons of great talent provided me.”

Although he said he’s proud of the finished product, Eakman said the writing process was a bit challenging.

“My writing process would probably seem chaotic to a more professional author,” he said. “I start with an outline and then assess how to get where I want to go. I have found that my original journey plan migrates as more information becomes available. I rewrite and self-edit consistently. It works for me.”

The meat of the new book, he said, are lessons he’s learned throughout his life that he wants to share with others.

“Amazing lessons make all the difference in degrees of success and happiness,” Eakman said. “Being a truly fortunate student my entire life, some amazingly talented people have been generous in sharing their wisdom with me. Those lessons of leadership and mentorship boosted greatly my ability to form teams, lead openly and have lifelong friends while doing so. All the great lessons have meant so much, and I’ve been willing to share those otherwise trade secrets of gaining willing team members. Working together, enjoying the quests and facing the challenges forthrightly brings so many emotional rewards.”

Eakman said a third book is in the works.

“My third book is already being planned and staged and will be a tremendous challenge,” he said. “I see very few leaders who seem to ‘have it all.’ It was through the inspiration of a great visual artist that I found the key. Dick Termes thinks in six directions at the same time, not just one or two, which is the usual management practice.”

A common thread running through the first two books will, Eakman said, continue through the third. It is a philosophy of leadership not taught in schools but acquired through experience.

“The MBA programs of the 1970s until the present teach students that making a profit at the expense of quality, people and service is all that matters,” he said. “‘Enrich yourself first.’ That’s exactly opposite of my belief system. In my view, happiness comes through helping others first. Being wealthy is not about money. It’s about loving friends, family, associates, customers, potential customers and the less fortunate among us,” Eakman said.

Both books are available at Moonbow Books, 225 E Idaho Ave., No. 32, and on Amazon.


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