The books

Cover art: Dennis Samson

Peaches is here. Are you ready?

“Embrace Your Inner Peaches” is an all-new collection of 52 leadership analogies from Alan’s coaching practice. From his mind or the minds of his clients, these stories help reframe common leadership challenges.

Take a ride on Air Force One, visit the tennis court and open the junk drawer as a way to think differently about your leadership!

The analogies are organized into six sections:

  1. Inside the Leader's Mind

  2. Presence: How We Show Up, and How We Come Across

  3. Managing Key Relationships

  4. Delegation and Developing Others

  5. Career Progress and Transitions

  6. Coaching

Each story has a hand-drawn illustration by Lindy Russell-Heymann.

(List price $22.99 + shipping, best way to support the author)

($50, shipping included)

Print (other sources):

E-Book:

Cover art: Dennis Samson

Human beings are expert storytellers.

“Don’t Just Have the Soup” is a collection of 52 analogies from Alan’s coaching practice. Sometimes, the analogies come to his own mind. Sometimes, they hatch from the minds of clients or other coaches.

Analogies are a simple way to weave stories together and meet people where they are. In coaching, they're a powerful tool for reframing what the client is experiencing.

They’re organized around 6 topics: 

  • The leader mindset

  • Communication

  • Time and attention

  • Relationships

  • Transitions

  • Coaching

(List price $19.99 + shipping, best way to support the author)

($50, shipping included)

E-Book:

Reviews:

  • Alan Heymann's book "Don't Just Have the Soup" is filled with useful analogies and insights for personal growth, leadership development, as well as coaching. I particularly like the piece "Jigsaw puzzle session" which describes a great tool for coaching. I find good coaching is like a puzzle, searching for the sometimes elusive puzzle pieces to complete the life story. Heymann's book is clear, straight-forward and equally beneficial for clients and coaches. Analogies are terrific teaching / coaching tools.

  • Thoroughly enjoyable and a little something for everyone. Heymann has provided a wide variety of relatable short tales that will undoubtedly resound with readers. I found quite a few reflected my own experiences and even more gave me a different way of looking at situations. Would make a great gift for someone to keep next to their desk to take a quick work break. Highly recommend.

  • This book is a must read for anyone looking for an easy way to learn and remember some excellent lessons in leadership and management. The author uses simple analogies to break down complex learnings allowing readers to easily retain and reference the main themes.

  • As a public sector executive, I find myself wrestling with challenges and internal conflict on a daily basis. Mr. Heymann's 52 analogies are an excellent tool to help me think about these challenges in a new light and perspective. The levity and easy to read style make this a book I keep at my desk for quick hits of inspiration and insight. I highly recommend!