Gayle M Irwin

1. What is the genre, theme and purpose of your book?

Knock it Off! How to Quit Being a Jerk @ Work is humorous, yet practical non-fiction self-help book.

Genre: Self-help, Business, Workplace

Theme: Personal and professional growth, interpersonal relationships, workplace behavior

Purpose: To provide guidance and strategies for individuals to improve their behavior and interpersonal skills in the workplace, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Sections: The book opens with a quiz to help readers gauge where they are on the workplace spectrum from jerk to saint. Then the first section of the book helps readers learn more about themselves through personality type, strengths, and appreciation languages. This section helps them know themselves so they can sell themselves, but it is also valuable information for anyone who wants to understand themselves and others better and improve their relationships. Section 2 is all about first appearances - from physical appearance to your voicemail message when job searching, to writing a resume and cover letter and the interview (online and in-person). Section 3 is You got the job, now what? There is a lot of meat here, from what to take with you on the first day, what to do when you don’t know what to do, behaviors that will get you fired, and how to become indispensable. The final section helps readers identify a toxic workplace and gives tips on how to deal with toxic leaders. It also covers how to know when it is time to quit a job and how to do so gracefully. Each chapter ends with a checklist and space for journaling. 

2. Why did you want to write and publish this book?

I’ve spent a lot of time in the workplace and worked with people from multiple generations and socio-economic backgrounds. I’m often surprised by what people don’t seem to know about how to navigate the in and outs of gaining employment and being a good employee.Then they wonder why they can’t get hired or excel in the workplace. This book takes the mystery out of the process.

3. Who is your audience and what do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?

The book is best for people who are just entering the workplace or re-entering after a time away, or current employees frustrated that they don’t seem to get ahead at work. There is a lot of common sense stuff in the book, but if no one ever taught it to you, it isn’t exactly common, is it? I hope readers will enjoy the stories and cartoons (created by Wyoming artist Rachel Reilly) and learn something that will help them feel more confident in the workplace.

4. Where can people purchase the book?

The paperback book is available at several businesses in Casper, Wyoming, where I live, such as Wind City Books, Fashion Crossroads, or Cascade Coffee Shop. The paperback or ebook is available on various online sites, like Barnes & Noble and Amazon, through the following link: https://books2read.com/u/49v1Xk

5. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am the owner of Dandelion Leadership Coaching, and I possess a background in leadership, business, and communications.  I serve as a writer, speaker, coach, and consultant specializing in leadership enrichment. I am also a master certified professional of TypeCoach, an adaptive communication tool based on personality type and a certified facilitator of Appreciation at Work and Toxic Workplace Prevention and Repair.

I worked for 11 years for the Wyoming Association of Realtors, including seven as the CEO. While there, I developed an excitement for strategic planning, bylaws, policies, procedures, and leadership training and development. I received a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University.

Prior to that CEO role, I completed undergraduate work in English and pursued a master’s degree in journalism while working fulltime. I worked for three years as publications manager/editor for Highland Park Community Church in Casper, Wyoming, designing newsletters for five different church departments. I've published articles for newspapers and magazines and a short story I wrote appears in an inspirational anthology. 

I possess more than 30 years of experience in business and non-profit management. I am certified in non-profit management through the University of Chicago and am the only person in the state of Wyoming to earn the National Realtors Association Executive Certification.

Through my business, Dandelion Leadership Coaching, I strive to help leaders and emerging professionals make more confident decisions, manage stress, and avoid burnout so they are equipped to build impactful teams and create thriving work environments.

   
6. How can readers connect with you? 

https://www.dandelionleadershipcoaching.com

https://www.facebook.com/DandelionLeadershipCoaching/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyla-greenly-dsl-24303510/

https://www.instagram.com/dandelionleadershipcoaching/

7. Do you have another book and/ or project coming up? If so, please tell us about those.

I have written a children’s book about a little white house (not the one in DC!) that finds a new family. I am in the illustration phase of this project and hope to have it published this fall. I am also in the research phase of the follow-up book to Knock it Off. It is geared toward bosses and is titled, Hey Boss! It’s Not Them, It’s YOU. It has been said that people don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses. This book will cover how supervisors set the organizational culture by their example and what they tolerate. 



Thanks for being on the blog, Guyla! Congratulations on your publication, and I look forward to hosting you again when your works in progress are published!


Hey, gang -- with graduation time upon us, Dr. Greenly's book would make an excellent gift for your high schooler or college grad. Or even a kid looking for that first summer job! Help them start their work life off on the right foot with Dr. Greenly's discerning book, Knock it Off! How to Quit Being a Jerk @ Work. Or perhaps you or someone you know is looking to move up in their line of work or contemplating a career change; this book can help in those situations as well. 

Here's that link one more time: https://books2read.com/u/49v1Xk