Welcome, Tim! We're so happy to have you as a Heart Ally author, and so excited to bring this very timely book to market.

HA: Why did you choose to work with Heart Ally Books?

TK: I previously published a book and was not satisfied with the experience. The previous publisher made us conform to their approach. I was recommended to Heart Ally by my co-author, Roy D. Bridges, Jr. He had a great experience. I’m glad I once again followed his advice.

HA: This wasn't your first book. What was the most surprising experience you had during the process of becoming an author? (anything different about working with Heart Ally?)

TK: Heart Ally really took the time to understand what we are aiming for with this book. They assembled the right team to support us. The team did a great job balancing hearing our voice while also pushing us to ensure our book met our intent…what a skill!

HA: Do you have a favorite or least favorite part of being an author?

TK: Most favorite parts are:

1) producing a product that will help the reader make a bigger difference in the world and

2) the clarity in thought that writing gives you.

The least favorite part (but so, so necessary) is making the content clear so the reader doesn’t have to work hard to make the book their own.

HA: That least favorite part is a real challenge with a book like this! If people could take one theme away from the book, what would you wish that to be?

TK: You got this…leadership is the hardest, least thanked, and loneliest job in an organization…it is also the most important. Leadership is even more important when the organization is facing chaos. You got this…bring your team with you…better yet…go on the journey together as a team.

HA: Teamwork is something we have learned to value both in this book and in its production, that's for sure. This book feels timely as people are dealing with chaos in many workplaces. What do you see as the most important advice you can give to employees and managers?

TK: The most important advice is to show up for the organization, each other, and yourself. The book offers specific ways to show up. Take the advice. You are chasing both organizational success and also dignity.

HA: It feels like people who learn from this book will be building a brighter future. Care to comment on what a brighter future could look like?

TK: A brighter future is one in which the organization continues to change the world for the better. Every employee has a sense of dignity and is making a difference for their teammates and the world.

HA: A common theme in your book shows respect for individuals. In these huge organizations where you were making sweeping decisions that would affect so many people, how did you keep this as a focus?

TK: Easier said than done. The leader has extreme pressure on them to drive the business. Their business decisions will impact individuals. The decisions are not personal, but they have personal impacts.

Remember the change is emotional for your people. They will have emotions about:

1. their past: things they are sorry for and proud of
2. their present: things that they are worried about and excited about
3. their future: things that they are fearful of and hopeful for.

To keep the individual in mind in these tough decisions, ask yourself:

1. How will this impact the workforce?
2. What do I need to transparently communicate so the workforce understands the why, what, and how of the decision?
3. How do I share the business decision while also speaking with understanding and empathy?
4. If I were on the receiving end of the message, what would I want to hear? How would I want to hear it?
5. How do I feel about this change?

Excellent advice from a powerful book that we are so excited to get into people's hands. We're looking forward to watching you and your readers bring about that brighter future!

Learn more about Tim Kotnour here, or explore Conquering Chaos: How to lead in a time of extraordinary change here.