My latest book is With Purpose: Going from Success to Significance in Work and Life (HarperCollins, 2009) co-authored with Ken Dychtwald. We worked on this project for three years and it nearly came unglued in August of 2007 when we caught wind of President Clinton’s Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, which we expected would explore similar themes and was written by a celebrity author with whom we definitely did not want to compete. But when the Clinton book was released we quickly realized that With Purpose would cover so much more ground and evoke so much more passion that it would stand up well. This book is not just about giving back; it’s about finding meaning in everything that you do—from the relationships you choose to forge to the jobs you choose to tackle. We believe it is the right book for a time when people want to give something back but generally have less money in their pockets. What you do have to share, especially baby boomers nearing retirement, are the skills and talents acquired over a lifetime. Your experiences have given you valuable know-how, insights and abilities that can help others and be passed along in exciting new ways like volunteer vacations (become a “vacateer”), giving circles and starting your own nonprofit. I became a better person by writing it; the hope is that you’ll become a better person by reading it.

Speaking
Dan is available to speak on the subject of finding purpose. Inquiries should be directed to him at dankadlec@dankadlec.com.

New Projects
I’m exploring two new subjects and welcome your input on both:
 
Different Learners, Different Lives: Next year my 18-year-old son will graduate high school and go onto college as we always planned. He is happy and well adjusted. But this didn’t just happen. His was a winding and emotional journey through a school system that failed to understand his dyslexia. Despite a very high IQ, he was in danger of failing every core class and became so distressed that he fell into deep fits of depression. He did not begin to emerge as the bright and happy kid he had been early in life until—at great personal expense and after a lot of research—we found a private learning environment where he could thrive. There is simply too much known today about different learners for our schools to not grasp how to reach them. It’s a national tragedy. I’m interested in the stories of intelligent kids who simply cannot learn in the traditional way and were left behind by the system. What did this to them and their families? How did they overcome their obstacles? Please email dankadlec@dankadlec.com.

She Makes More: Women were already overtaking men as breadwinners in many households before the recession hit. Now that trend is in hyper drive as highly paid executives in finance, media, manufacturing and other industries get downsized out of their jobs at every turn. Women are getting the ax too. But among boomers, especially, it’s the man who had been making the most and became most vulnerable. In any event, a lot changes around the house when She Makes More. I’m interested in the personal stories of couples who have undergone this income shift. I want to hear from woman as well as men. How does her greater earning power affect your social life? Your sex life? Who makes decisions? Who cleans and cooks and takes care of the kids? Where you go on vacation? How you invest? Feel free to elaborate on emotional issues and stresses. It’s all normal, I assure you. Please email dankadlec@dankadlec.com.

Other Projects