The Art of Picking Up Dog Poop Leading from the Middle

"Sometimes we have to take a risk and step out of our comfort zone and learn something new using our gifts and talents in a new way."
You spend much of your life living and working in that middle ground where you have gained valuable experience, and now you’re looking for a fresh perspective and some practical insights before you step into challenges at the next level or a new opportunity. Take time to invest in your own growth and sanity in this light-hearted approach to leadership.
Country: United StatesLanguage: EnglishGenre: Business Economics LeadershipRelease: June 15, 2021 (available here today!)Media type: PrintPages: 99 Use discount code TWOORMORE to save 25% on two or more books!!
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But, wait! There's more!! Check out the sample from the Audiobook!
  • You can download the sample audio track NOW!

  • "Delightful book on sharing antidotes on leadership and picking up poop. As a dog owner of a large dog and a small business owner, I understand the tasks all too well. It was a funny listen to hear all the parallels come together. I did find myself wondering how she would weave the stories together, but she didn’t disappoint! Entertaining through and through." - Rachel P., Beta Listener

  • Now available on these audio platforms and more:
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Press release

Check out this short video announcing the release of the audiobook. "The book is both motivational and inspirational, giving readers the ability to recognize and embrace their unique leadership abilities. Martin encourages readers to be patient, be open to new ideas, and be willing to take risks in order to succeed. The Art of Picking Up Dog Poop – Leading from the Middle is the perfect book for anyone looking to become a better leader and achieve success." - excerpt from HigherLife, May 2023
Start the conversation with the Discussion Guide...
  • This guide is a companion to the book, The Art of Picking Up Dog Poop - Leading from the Middle.
  • Whether you want to explore on your own or with your team or small group, this guide offers the following insights for the leadership nuggets arranged by chapter:
  • Think about your story. Explore the leadership nugget in your own experience.
  • You will find a few open-ended, and maybe tough questions for each chapter to help start the conversation – whether with a friend, mentor, or even with your team.
  • Each chapter also has an individual challenge to help you grow your own leadership style. Subscribe to my newsletter and download your FREE copy today!
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Explore the story

"Why write about picking up dog poop? How does that process relate to overcoming setbacks, navigating change, and leading from the middle of an organization? Read on, and I will give you the poop on both. After twenty years in Colorado, I moved across the country with my two adult dogs in the middle of June. Yes, I took my energetic furry friends out of their large backyard in beautiful Colorado Springs on a four-day road trip, with many new adventures, across this great country to Central Florida."
"In the pages that follow, I combine entertaining stories with practical tips for leaders in the middle to overcome setbacks, navigate challenges, and thrive in the workplace. I have found that we all have something unique to bring to the conversation. You may see me blend stories from different times in my life: when I was a swimmer, a lifeguard, a US Army lieutenant, a wife, a working mother of two, an ex-wife, a software lead in corporate America, and, of course, a dog owner. My hope is that my life experiences will not only empower and grow your leadership style in your workplace as well as other areas of your life but also have you giggling the way my colleagues and I did when I first shared them."
Book Reviews

What People Say

  • ★★★★★
    “I absolutely loved it! Really good points on leadership and showing up. The stories about dogs give an entertaining context to complex work situations. I would recommend it to others who are in the midst of the muck and more – to provide perspective and a reminder of what’s really important.”
    —Kristie C.
    ★★★★★
    “What a fantastic way to relate leadership and poop! Fresh insight on the leadership trials - and being a leader no matter where you are in the pack. I can totally relate to the task of poop-picking-up and all the pleasure of it. It’s a small price to pay while getting to love the beasts that leave such a small stinky treat. I enjoyed your humor, your leadership nuggets, and your helpful ways to manage right from where I am.”
    —Stefanie R., fellow dog mom and middle management protégée
    ★★★★★
    “From nuggets of poop to nuggets of wisdom, this book is AWESOME and offers key leadership tips for managing from “the middle.” Seriously! By leveraging humorous, unique, but relatable nuggets, leaders pick up tips to establish synergy within the team to deliver on schedule.”
    —W. Clifton II, PhD
  • ★★★★★
    "Great read with exceptional tips for all leaders!This was such a great reading book, and I challenge anyone to not be able to come away with a new thought on leadership. And being a dog owner, I truly can relate to intertwining of leadership and the chores of dog ownership! I highly recommend this book to all levels of leadership; the newly promoted will get some expert insight into rising up from the team while tenured leaders will receive new ideas to implement. This book is packed with expertise, valuable and relatable experiences that bring a fresh perspective to the challenges faced at every opportunity and level of management and leadership. You will not be disappointed and you will have a few ah-ha moments with a few chuckles along the way. I encourage every leadership/executive team to incorporate this into your management training."
    —Jan J.
    ★★★★★
    "What a comical way to show a connection between picking up poop and leadership, it is certainly a messy job. The stories are relatable while teaching key points of successful leadership. It is all about being a servant whether to our dogs or our coworkers. Loved, “When leading from the middle, we need to be the light. We need to bring the energy and fresh perspective to keep the team moving forward”. Keep showing up leaders. The work is hard but the payoff is investing in others and building relationships. “At any level, leaders emerge with perseverance in the storms.” I will now be forwarding every poop reference her way!"
    —Elaine K.
    ★★★★★
    "A book filled with humor, wisdom and lots of leadership experience. A gem!This is a delightful book! It is an easy read...a great book for an airplane ride or an afternoon on the beach. After reading this book I bought one book for my husband who has worked in middle management for over thirty years, as well as my son and son-in-law as they begin their journey in the workforce. These funny stories are filled with gems on how to deal with co-workers, bosses and big projects. Anyone who has worked in a large company or corporation will relate to these chapters, and anyone starting out in the business world will blessed with the experience and wisdom Connie Martin has to offer in book."
    —Amy M. (amazon)
  • ★★★★★
    "Excellent Read! Cat Approved - 5 Paws Up!This book seamlessly relates real life adventures of picking up dog poop to leadership challenges in the workplace. It is both entertaining and very insightful. Every story contains a little nugget of wisdom that leaders can pickup and readily apply to their unique situations at work. I will definitely recommend this to all family and friends."
    —Volodymyr P. (Amazon)
    ★★★★★
    "Terrific insights on lifeIf you can relate to life is sometimes like dealing with a busted bag of dog poop in your hands you can relate to this author’s words of wisdom. I also am a dog owner and certainly find relevance in these stories! She nails it with the perfect metaphor on the receiving side of cleaning up or avoiding messes from those who might be totally clueless to what they are handing you, and on the sending side avoid handing off a busted bag of dog poop to someone else. She writes truth in life from a perspective of insight, a bit of self-deprecation, and a lot of humility and humor to reveal she is writing about us and our daily struggles of trying to do good in the world, or at least do our best under the present circumstances."
    —Mark L. (Amazon)
    ★★★★★
    "Great book!!I LOVED the correlation between picking up dog poop and leading from the middle! The techniques and leadership guidance are extremely helpful! Would recommend this book to anyone, as these lessons are useful in general! There are so many great nuggets of information. Being newer to leadership, this book gave me some insights and ideas on how to approach leadership from a new perspective."
    —Kristina R. (amazon)
  • ★★★★★
    "Knowing Yourself Connie’s words clearly laid out how to grow to be a respected leader. I learned that to grow we need to know ourselves, learn to take feedback and redirect the course we are on despite the circumstances. She encourages the reader to look at growing “pains” as necessary to clean up our preconceived ideas of what leadership looks like. Thank you Connie for using humor to demystify the role of leadership and just going for it!"
    —Alba A. (Amazon)
    ★★★★★
    "Highly recommended !I am not a dog owner, but I found many instances laughing out loud while reading this book. The life experiences smoothly relate to middle management & leadership. One chapter flowed into another and once I started reading I was unable to put it down. Any corporate person considering advancing to management should be required to read this book. Looking forward to the next book this author writes. Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. Proverbs 18:15"
    —Nancy T. (Amazon)
    ★★★★★
    "I Loved It!This was a fun read with lots of practical advice that's helpful for organizational and personal leadership. From team building to overcoming complex project management challenges to role/career transitions, this book ties in a slate of metaphorical life lessons to help middle managers thrive. I loved it. The book is also available on Audible if you prefer listening. Check it out!"
    —David M. (Facebook)
  • ★★★★★
    "Humorously Engaging ReadWhile I appreciate gaining leadership nuggets and reading books to self improve, my mind tends to wander. Not with this book! Funny and engaging while picking up relatable useful leadership nuggets. Win-Win!!! Thanks Bunker for the delightful (and very useful) read.
    —CM (Amazon)
    ★★★★★
    "Bring a sense of humor...and a notebook!Not only is the "The Art of Picking Up Dog Poop" a great laugh, it has insightful management nuggets that you will not want to miss. Connie Martin has taken a wide range of subjects and challenges commonly faced by newer leaders and provided wise and practical advice for how to handle them. The combination of serious and amusing anecdotes makes her narration interesting and enjoyable to listen to. As a former manager myself, I recognized every situation she described as one I also encountered. I would suggest taking notes (between the laughs), and having them available for reference as you inevitably encounter similar challenges in your leadership journey. A great listen (or read), highly recommended!
    —Robert B. (Amazon)
    ★★★★★
    "Brilliant!This book is whimsical, wise and practical, all at the same time. The business and life lessons are easy to grasp and put into action immediately. Many of the topics would also be great for team/group discussions. If you are in middle management, or I would say, in management at all, this book is a must read. Well done, Connie!"
    -All Star Entertainment (Amazon)
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