Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work Read online

  * * *

  title : Chicken Soup for the Soul At Work : 101 Stories of Courage, Compassion, and Creativity in the Workplace

  author : Canfield, Jack

  publisher : Health Communications, Inc.

  isbn10 | asin :

  print isbn13 : 9781558744240

  ebook isbn13 : 9780585102559

  language : English

  subject Work--Moral and ethical aspects, Interpersonal relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Employees--Conduct of life, Spiritual life, Inspiration--Anecdotes.

  publication date : 1996

  lcc : HD4905.C448 1996eb

  ddc : 331.25

  subject : Work--Moral and ethical aspects, Interpersonal relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Employees--Conduct of life, Spiritual life, Inspiration--Anecdotes.

  Page i

  "Reading Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work is a poignant experience about ordinary men and women who touch other lives in an extraordinary way with acts of kindness, caring and love. It's a moving testament that responding to the Spirit is a wonderful way to transform our world and make it a better place."

  Michael A. Stephen

  Chairman, Aetna International, Inc.

  "As with the other Chicken Soups, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work is an inspirational guide for being true to yourself under difficult circumstances, in trying times and on the job. A 'howto' for being productive, effective and successful, while being human."

  JEFFREY C. REISS

  CHAIRMAN & CEO, CAREERTRACK

  "It took a lot of talented minds to make this book as helpful and touching as it is. Great people produced some great reading!"

  OG MANDINO

  SPEAKER & AUTHOR, THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD

  "This a wonderful, easy-to-read book that shows how little acts make big differences. It opens a new dimension in the workplace by giving people the freedom and permission to do what feels right inside."

  VIKRAM BUDHRAJA

  SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO.

  "Spirit, heart and ethics abound in these stories about work. They reflect the profound change that is taking place in the workplace."

  WILLIS HARMAN

  PRESIDENT, INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES

  "If you want to laugh, cry and feel good inside, read a few gems from Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work. Take it to work and make life a little richer for yourself and others. Great stories to share with your boss, coworkers and practically anyone!"

  MICHELE ANN MARIEN, R.N., B.S.N.

  EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE, HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL

  Page ii

  "If we need anything at work these days, it's more soul, and if Chicken Soup for the Soul is needed anywhere these days, it's at work. This book recognizes the spirit of work and its importance in our spiritual journey. It honors humanity and goodness in the workplace, and provides encouragement and wisdom to nurture the soul in an environment that is so often hard on the inner life. Take this book to work and put it to work in your life."

  JAMES A. AUTRY

  AUTHOR, LOVE AND PROFIT AND CONFESSIONS OF AN ACCIDENTAL BUSINESSMAN

  "Work is about people. This book is about people. Stories of heart, insight and compassionthe true values of the workplace."

  JOHN MORGAN

  MANAGING DIRECTOR, PEAK CAPITAL CORPORATION AND FORMER PRESIDENT, LABATT BREWING COMPANY OF CANADA

  "Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work is a sure-fire recipe for inspiring staff members at every level to follow their dreams, set their sights high, and never give up. Like its predecessor, Chicken Soup for the Soul, this new book is filled with heartwarming, inspirational stories that are sure to strike a responsive chord everywhere. It has the gift of making us all feel valued, treasured and important."

  WILLIAM J. CIRONE

  SUPERINTENDANT, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EDUCATION OFFICE

  "When I'm feeling low, burned-out, tired and stressed, I know where to go. I open the book Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work."

  DANIELLE KENNEDY

  AUTHOR, SEVEN FIGURE SELLING AND MOTHER'S IN THE BIG LEAGUE

  "They have outdone themselves again! This book will touch you where you work, and where you live; in your heart and soul; in your very bones. Required reading for every factory, farm and foundry."

  ORVEL RAY WILSON

  COAUTHOR, GUERRILLA SELLING

  Page iii

  Chicken Soup For The Soul At Work

  101 Stories of Courage, Compassion and Creativity in the Workplace

  JACK CANFIELD

  MARK VICTOR HANSEN

  MAIDA ROGERSON

  MARTIN RUTTE

  TIM CLAUSS

  Health Communications, Inc.

  Deerfield Beach, Florida

  Page iv

  We would like to acknowledge the following publishers and individuals for permission to reprint the following material. (Note: The stories that were penned anonymously, that are public domain or were written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Maida Rogerson, Martin Rutte or Tim Clauss are not included in this listing.)

  Jessie's Glove. Reprinted by permission of Rick Phillips. © 1996 Rick Phillips.

  Climbing the Stairway to Heaven. Reprinted by permission of Joanna Slan. © 1996 Joanna Slan.

  All in a Day's Work. Reprinted by permission of Naomi Rhode. © 1996 Naomi Rhode.

  I Heard a Little Voice. Reprinted by permission of Anne Walton. © 1996 Anne Walton.

  (Continued on page 326)

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Chicken soup for the soul at work: 101 stories of courage, compassion, and creativity in the workplace / Jack Canfield ... [et al.].

  p. cm.

  ISBN 1-55874-424-X (trade paper)ISBN 1-55874-430-4 (hardcover)

  1. WorkMoral and ethical aspects. 2. Interpersonal relationsMoral and ethical aspects. 3. EmployeesConduct of life. 4. Spiritual life. 5. InspirationAnecdotes. I. Canfield, Jack, date-

  HD4905.C448 199696-29381

  331.25dc20CIP

  © 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Maida Rogerson, Martin Rutte and Tim Clauss

  ISBN 1-55874-424-X (trade paper) ISBN 1-55874-430-4 (hardcover)

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

  Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

  3201 S.W. 15th Street

  Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190

  Cover re-design by Andrea Perrine Brower

  Page v

  Where our work is, there let our joy be.

  Tertullian

  With love, we dedicate this

  book to working souls everywhere for

  your labors of love, service and purpose.

  We deeply acknowledge your energy, creativity,

  caring and commitment. May you, your

  families and our world be blessed by

  your unique contributions.

  Page vi

  Page vii

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  xi

  Introduction

  xv

  1. Love At Work

  Jessie's Glove

  Rick Phillips

  2

  Climbing the Stairway to Heaven


  Joanna Slan

  4

  "Whatever You Need"

  Martin Rutte

  6

  All in a Day's Work Naomi Rhode

  9

  I Heard a Little Voice

  Anne Walton

  11

  The Christmas Man

  Rachel Dyer Montross

  13

  His Life's Work

  Wyverne Flatt

  16

  For the Love of My Father

  Rick Halvorsen

  18

  2. On Caring

  A Lesson from My Father

  LaVonn Steiner

  22

  Bringing Your Heart to Work

  Sharon Drew Morgen

  24

  A Pebble in the Water

  Sally K. O'Brien

  28

  I Just Can't Believe It

  Mary Ann Dockins

  31

  Angel on a Doorstep

  Shirley Bachelder

  33

  Santa Comes to Joan

  Angela Barnett

  37

  The Arc Angels

  Jonathan Wygant

  39

  The Break I Got from Prison

  Charles A. Ward

  42

  Putting People First

  Robert Levering, Milton Moskowitz and Michael Katz

  46

  True Stewardship

  Claud H. Foster

  48

  Page viii

  "Thank You for Believing Me Well"

  Judy Tatelbaum

  50

  An Act of Kindness

  Mike Teeley

  52

  The Power of Being Human

  Robert R. Ball

  54

  A Kind Word

  Scott Adams

  57

  The Youngest Cop in Arizona

  Michael Cody

  61

  3. The Power Of Acknowledgment

  The Whale Story

  Charles A. Coonradt

  65

  Rich Beyond Measure

  Christine Barnes

  69

  Managing from the Heart

  Hyler Bracey, Jack Rosenblum, Aubrey Sanford and Roy Trueblood

  71

  Trucks and Trust

  Tom Peters

  72

  A Lady Named Lill

  James M. Kennedy and James C. Kennedy

  75

  "Your Work Is Recognized!"

  Gary Hruska

  78

  Two Ripe Bananas

  Maida Rogerson

  81

  The Scrapbook

  Gina Maria Jerome

  83

  A Coach with Soul

  Darrell J. Burnett, Ph.D

  86

  4. Service: Setting New Standards

  Banking at Its Best

  Sharon Borjesson

  90

  A Passionate Flight Attendant

  Glenn Van Ekeren

  93

  The Massage Is the Message

  Maida Rogerson

  96

  Not on the Menu

  Barbara Glanz

  98

  "Let's Start Over"

  Richard Porter

  101

  "Ah, Bambini!"

  Editors of Conari Press

  104

  Beyond Order-Taking

  Art Turock

  106

  "Welcome to Venetia"

  Michael E. Gerber

  109

  Customer Service Is Not a Mickey Mouse Affair

  Valerie Oberle

  113

  Pass It On

  Kenneth G. Davis, M.D

  115

  Wednesday Mornings with Elvis

  Joy Curci

  118

  Holy Cow

  Dennis J. McCauley

  121

  A Million-Dollar Lesson

  Petey Parker

  123

  Speak the Customer's Language

  Lou Pritchett

  125

  How to Keep Clients... Even When It Hurts

  Jeff Slutsky

  127

  Have You Received Our Letter Yet?

  Tom Peters

  130

  Someone Was Listening

  Tom Chappell

  133

  Beyond Expectations

  Milt Garrett

  136

  Page ix

  5. Follow Your Heart

  To Have Succeeded

  Ralph Waldo Emerson

  144

  Making Bright Memories for Tomorrow

  Joyce Ayer Brown

  145

  I Found Myself Saying Yes

  Margaret J. Giannini, M.D

  149

  The Shadowland of Dreams

  Alex Haley

  151

  I Never Write Right

  Linda Stafford

  156

  When Dreams Won't Die

  Marilyn Johnson Kondwani

  161

  Debbie Fields Gets "Oriented"

  Celeste Fremon

  165

  A Walk in the "Woulds"

  Jeff Hoye

  168