BookWire - Meet The Author- Darby Checketts

Darby Checketts grew up on a small ranch in South Phoenix, Arizona. He and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of seven children. He began his professional career with Ford Motor Company. He and Sharon founded Cornerstone Professional Development in 1985. The company teaches the principles of "Customer Astonishment" and "Success with People in Business." Darby is a world traveler who has worked with over 200 clients on five continents. "Patriot Dream: What Americans Can Do" is his fourth book. He is also the author of the "Customer Astonishment Handbook" and two earlier books.

Neela Sakaria: Thank you for joining us, Mr. Checketts. Tell us about your book Patriot Dream. Would you call it a guide?

Darby Checketts : First and foremost, Patriot Dream: What Americans Can Do is an opportunity for Americans to not forget the important lessons of the fall of 2001 and to demonstrate the resolve that President George W. Bush has called for in facing our nation's new challenges in a new millennium. It is a friendly guide through five key areas that will help Americans each answer the question, "What can I do?"

Neela: What would you say to critics who might say that writers like you are exploiting the tragedy of September 11 to sell books?

DC: I am building on the lessons of 9-11 to help Americans move forward and to make an even greater difference at home, at work, and in the world in the years to come. The book is less about 9-11 and more about what we learned from 9-11. As with any important historical event, we must reflect and report on how the event affects our lives. As an author deriving inspiration from 9-11, I am no different than those who expand upon our experiences as a nation during the Civil War, World War II, President Kennedy's assassination, or the Challenger tragedy. Whether I sell many books or a few, I will leave it to the reader to determine whether Patriot Dream was written from the heart or from my pocketbook.

DC: First, for over a decade, I have been teaching individuals and organizations to seize those Moments of Truth in their lives wherein they can demonstrate true commitment and professionalism. The mechanism we teach to help them do so is what we call, Pride Factors. Pride Factors are behavioral hallmarks of personal excellence. Thus the five American P-R-I-D-E commitments are hallmarks of American excellence. (Note: These are found listed on the back cover of the book and at several points in the body of the book.) Furthermore, I find that acronyms are effective teaching and memory devices. If you can remember the key letters of P-R-I-D-E, there is a high probability that the accompanying concepts will more easily come to mind.

Neela: What are a few key things that Americans can do to express their patriotic spirit in everyday life?

DC: P-Perform with Excellence, R-Respect Others, I-Invest in America, D-Defend Liberty, and E-Elevate Family and Community. In other words, as Americans we should (a) demonstrate excellence in our everyday work, (b) welcome the creativity that cultural diversity represents, (c) participate enthusiastically in our system of free enterprise, (d) be quick to defend the constitutional rights and freedoms of others, and (e) strengthen America by strengthening our own communities and family relationships.

DC: Reader 1: "I had difficulty getting through Chapter 1 because it made me vividly remember what we all experienced on 9-11 and our strong desires to be sure it doesn't happen again."

Reader 2: Chapter 4 caused him and his new bride to sit down and evaluate what kind of spending priorities they want to practice as they start their family. Chapter 2 has caused him to develop his own "150 List," including a commitment to climb Mt. Whitney.Reader 3: My 13 year-old grandson's 7th grade school teacher requested a copy of the book to include in the school's 9-11 time capsule to be opened each year on the anniversary of this important event. His comment, "It is an amazing book. I really enjoyed the questions you ask and the reflective suggestions. We all need to take a step back sometimes to regain our focus on our goals and beliefs. Your book is a perfect way for Bryan to become more connected to history and my class."

Reader 4: A vice president of a major healthcare organization recently wrote, "I love the book you sent."

Reader 5: A company president who just gave 100 copies to his key business alliance partners said, "This is a wonderful little book. I wish I had seen the list about elevating family on page 97, twenty years ago."

NS: Tell us about Cornerstone Pro-Dev Press and the process of creating/publishing this book.

DC: Cornerstone Pro-Dev Press is the publishing arm of our training company, which was founded in 1985. Our mission is to help our students and readers to achieve success with people-at home, at work, and in their communities. "Patriot Dream: What Americans Can Do" grew out of the P-R-I-D-E acronym, which I spontaneously created on the way to work on the morning of September 14, 2001. This, I initially did to help myself recover from being so emotionally clobbered by what had just happened to the family of Americans. As I worked with various client groups shortly after 9-11, I found many as overwhelmed as I had been. They were asking, "What can I do?" They wanted to jump on a train (not a plane, at that time) and go to New York City to help somehow. As I shared the five American P-R-I-D-E commitments, many people were grateful and relieved. Then, one day, the book started to flow through my Microsoft Word program. I have never had a book flow so naturally.NS: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

DC: If there is anything else to say it would be that it is our opportunity, as Americans, to turn the tide of human events by how we finish this first decade of the new millennium. We have some important years ahead to prove that 9-11 did change America forever, for the good. May our gratitude for our blessings turn into even greater generosity, as individuals and as a nation. May our generosity be our legacy to the world in the years to come.