Make the Impossible Possible

MTIPHuman resources are people. Bill Strickland knows that.

True confession: I almost didn’t read this book because it had an orchid on the cover. And although orchids are my favorite flowers, I thought this book was going to be a little too…Oprah for me. I am so glad I picked it up. Stunned. Blown away is more like it.

Make the Impossible Possible is the life story of Bill Strickland and how he created the Manchester Bidwell Guild. You want to be humbled? Read about Bill’s drive and vision that resulted in thousands of inner city kids learning skills and trades that landed them great jobs. Watch the video here. Words can’t describe how good it is. Here are some of his tenets:

People are born into this world as assets, not liabilities. It’s all in the way we treat people (and ourselves) that determines a person’s outcome

The sand in the hourglass flows only one way. Stop going through the motions of living–savor each and every day. Life is here and now, not something waiting for you in the future.

You don’t have to travel far to change the life you’re living.

Honestly, I can’t do this review justice. I’m emotional about this book. Bill Strickland is on my list of people I’d love to meet in my lifetime. I’m just dazzled by what he’s done and the faith he has in people. I think HR has the opportunity to do great things. And Making the Impossible Possible is a roadmap to learn how to do it.

Here’s a thought: Set aside some time and watch Bill Strickland talk about the power of believing in people. Watch all the videos. Think about them. Then go out and buy yourself a copy of the book.

Oh, the orchids? It’s because the kids at Manchester Bidwell grow award-winning orchids. I should learn to not judge a book by its cover. When I read Making the Impossible Possible that came crashing down like a ton of bricks.

Make the Impossible Possible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary
Publisher: Doubleday Publishing
Pub. Date: December 2007
ISBN-13: 9780385520546

BONUS: Here’s a video of Bill Strickland presenting at TED 2002 in a talk titled “Rebuilding America One Slide Show at a Time.” Watch it. It’ll be the best 15 minutes you spend today.

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Frank Roche 
Filed Under Books

Comments

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    I was at the airport on Thursday looking for a book to read and when I saw the one with the picture of the orchid, I remembered reading your post, so I bought it. Funny how it was the orchid that made the positive, proactive difference in this case.

    You are right Frank, words cannot do justice. I sat down and was immediately sucked in. Tears were streaming down my face throughout the 3 hours of reading.

    Bill Strickland is not only an amazing, wonderful person, but he has the power to communicate his love and passion for what he does through his words. No book in recent memory has moved me in the same way. I have been telling anyone and everyone about "Make the Impossible Possible".

    Frank, thank you very much for the recommendation.
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    Melina, I'm just delighted that you liked that book. I am just dazzled by what Bill Strickland has done. Amazing, really. Some people are so inspiration for both their vision and determination. I want to meet him, if only to shake his hand. That book really affected me. Thanks for letting me know you felt the same way. Cheers.
 

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