Author of the Month
John Roulet [May 2009]
Chosen by MyShelf.Com reviewer Suzie Housley

Too often in Corporate America, the Supervisor role is bogged down with political, upward-management responsibilities. Having served briefly in this capacity, I know how essential it is that Front Line Supervisors equip themselves with the knowledge and skills to get along with people. In John Roulet’s The Supervision Solution I found a wealth of knowledge, inspiring me to look up this incredible author. I must say that I was very impressed with him, not only as an author but as a person. I feel that his book should be mandatory reading for anyone whose in Supervision. I was honored when he agreed to be my May Author of the Month at MyShelf.com.

Suzie: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

John: I'm only now starting to view myself as a writer. Although I wanted to write a book for at least the last five years, I always felt that was something others did—not me.

Suzie: How long does it take you to write a book?

John: It took me about 9 months.

Suzie: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

John: I'm a bad example when it comes to that. I wrote when I felt like it. I'd write at all different times of the day and night. Often when I wasn't working on the book, I'd feel like I was slacking off. If I established set times of the day to write and worked on my book only durign those times, I would have caused myself a lot less stress.

Suzie: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

John: Well, it's not a quirk because quirks tend to be at least a little charming. What I have is a flaw; I edit my writing as go along. It is a cardinal error and by the end of writing my book, I still hadn't stopped doing it.

Suzie: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

John: Everywhere! I write about leadership. The news and a number of books written about current events, such as the Iraq War, provide astonishing information about leadership—most all of it about terrible leadership. But the failures of so many leaders in recent years and the harm they have caused to so many motivates me to write about what real leadership is and what it is not. No topic is more important and more misunderstood in the modern world.

Suzie: When did you write your first book and how old were you?

John: This is my first book and I’m in my late 40s.

Suzie: What does your family think of your writing?

John: My 17-year-old daughter thinks it’s cool. My sister and my cousins have been so supportive. They’ve made me feel so special. My daughter and my sister’s approval was really pretty special.

Suzie: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

John: That I could actually do it!

Suzie: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

2009's Honorary List