About the Book
Table of Contents:
Foreword by Jerry Greenfield, 15; Prologue, 17; Commandment I: Assume Full Control of Your Thoughts, 23; 1. Strengthening the Courage Muscle, 24; 2. The Shape We’re In, 28; 3. Find the Brave Voice, 33; 4. Before You Move on to the Second Commandment, Do This, 37; Commandment II: Be the CEO of You, 39; 5. Born to Slay Dragons, 40; 6. Execute, 46; 7. The Playbook, 51; 8. Before You Move on to the Third Commandment, Do This, 61; Commandment III: Break the Addiction to Fear, 63; 9. The Five Questions, 64; 10. The Essential Self, 72; 11. Before You Move on to the Fourth Commandment, Do This, 79; Commandment IV: Harness the Power of Faith, 81; 12. The Faithful Executive, 82; 13. Where Do You Need to Go?, 86; 14. Faith Is Taking Action, 94; 15. Before You Move on to the Fifth Commandment, Do This, 98; Commandment V: Find Your Calling, 101; 16. Your Big “Why”, 102; 17. Who Are Your Calling Allies?, 105; 18. Your Calling and Your Passion Are Two Different Things, 111; 19. Before You Move on to the Sixth Commandment, Do This, 118; Commandment VI: Leverage Your Strong Suit, 121; 20. Spot the Arrow, 122; 21. Strong Suit or Calling?, 127; 22. In the Flow, 130; 23. Before You Move on to the Seventh Commandment, Do This, 137; Commandment VII: Connect with Allies Who Are Focused on Solutions, 139; 24. Join the Club, 140; 25. From Solace to Solution, 147; 26. Your Armor, 151; 27. Before You Move on to the Eighth Commandment, Do This, 154; Commandment VIII: Choose Whom You Do (and Don’t) Share Your Dream With, 157; 28. The Human Roadblock, 158; 29. The Crossroads Moment, 163; 30. The Courage Circle, 171; 31. Before You Move on to the Ninth Commandment, Do This, 178; Commandment IX: Find Success in Failure, 181; 32. Take the Shot!, 182; 33. Failure Is Never Fatal, 186; 34. Move Forward Smarter, 188; 35. Get in the Game, 192; 36. Before You Move on to the Tenth Commandment, Do This, 198; Commandment X: Your Secret Weapon: Give, Give, and Give Again…with Gratitude, 201; 37. Start with Gratitude, 202; 38. A Master Class in Courage, Integrity, and Service, 206; 39. The Giving Principle, 213; 40. Before You Move on to the Eleventh Commandment, Do This, 220; Commandment XI: Win the Race: Make Good Trouble by Putting Your Heart, and Soul into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 223; 41. Silence Is Not an Option, 224; 42. Your Purpose, Your Mission, Your Values, 234; 43. A Voice to Be Heard, 241; 44. Before You Move on to the Epilogue, Do This, 250; Epilogue: Integrity, 253; Notes, 257; Special Appendix for Courageous Leaders, 259; Acknowledgments, 265; Meet Dee M. Robinson, 267
About the Author :
Growth strategist, entrepreneurial innovator, DE&I advocate, social impact leader, and venture capitalist Dee M. Robinson believes we can all lead with passion and leave people and places better than we found them—and that we all have the power to use courage to influence people and outcomes. She is committed to shattering expectations, redefining the status quo, creating value, making good trouble, and empowering women and people of color.
She is the CEO and president of Robinson Hill, Inc., a food and beverage/retail concessions management firm she founded in 1995. Dee has scaled the company’s operations by forging successful joint ventures and partnerships, which now encompass airport restaurants and retail stores across the United States. She is also the founder and CEO of GT Spirits, maker of Good Trouble bourbon; proceeds from the sale of Good Trouble support a variety of social justice causes. Dee has been featured in such publications as Forbes, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Sun-Times, WayMaker Journal, Enterprising Women, and Medium.
Dee serves on several company boards, including Accel Entertainment, Wintrust Bank, and Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp., one of the first entirely women-run SPACs. She is a trustee of PGA REACH and a board member of C200. She has been recognized as a HistoryMaker, Chicago United Business Leader of Color, WomenInc.’s Most Influential Corporate Director, and is a recipient of the Fellowship Open’s National Civic Award.
Review :
“Values matter. Purpose matters. Vision matters. Not just for the people at the top of an organization. For everybody. The fact that Dee Robinson gets this is what makes Courage By Design such a masterpiece. Highly recommended.”
—Jerry Greenfield, cofounder, Ben & Jerry’s
“Courage, perseverance, and determination is an individual choice that is made daily, and Dee’s methods to success in all aspects of life are testimony that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.”
—Mindy Grossman, CEO, WW International
“Inspirational, aspirational, and a gift to all who choose bravery over complacency.”
—Suzy Whaley, PGA honorary president, PGA master professional, LPGA professional
“Dee Robinson’s Courage By Design offers personal stories from admirable leaders on their journeys to courage. The book likens courage to a muscle that needs to get in condition and stay in condition through practice, and offers a practical, insightful method readers can use to build this strength in themselves. Dee’s remarkable book can help you find your voice, pursue your dreams, and encourage those around you to do the same.”
—Carolyn Dolezal, CEO, The Committee of 200
“Courage By Design enables you to learn, from a great entrepreneur, how to lead with courage and integrity.”
—Deirdre Quinn, cofounder and CEO of Lafayette 148 New York
“We are heading into a time of great uncertainty. Our lives have been upended, our homes have become offices and schoolrooms, our political system seems hopelessly corrupted, social and global and climate unrest is outside our front doors and we don’t seem to know anymore what the future might hold. But we do know this: what becomes of us individually is up to us individually; and what becomes of our society is up to us, too. Never have we needed more courage, and never has a book been more timely.”
—Edie Weiner, CEO and president, The Future Hunters
“Everyone who aspires to greatness should read this book. Courage by Design recounts the lessons that Dee Robinson learned in navigating and succeeding in a white-male-dominated business world. It will be pure gold in the hands of aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
—David Weild IV, chairman & CEO, Weild & Co., former vice chairman of Nasdaq
“A powerful and timeless message about the power of personal courage. Dee Robinson’s transparency on how courage manifested in her life will resonate both with seasoned leaders and those just beginning their journey.”
—Leslie Anderson, global head of employee tech experience, BMO Financial Group
“One thing we all need in life is the courage to confront our fears. In Courage by Design, Dee Robinson combines practical principles with compelling stories to show us how to lead purposeful lives that matter."
—Dr. Nicholas Pearce, professor, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and author of The Purpose Path
“This powerful book will position you to discover your inner courage and allow you to put that strength into action to create a better life for yourself and a better world for all of us. A must read!”
—Sam Silverstein, CSP, CPAE, author of I Am Accountable and No Matter What, past president of The National Speakers Association
“Nothing short of extraordinary. Dee shares how to face your fears, find courage, and be character in action in all things. Simply inspirational.”
—Brad Vynalek, president, Quarles & Brady LLP
“Dee’s book is insightful, impactful, and delivered with an unwavering heart. She sees how hard the struggle is, and she offers actionable game plans to help us show up stronger and more confident to keep going. Dee’s voice is compelling and rings loud with truth, warmth, and humor. If you’ve ever been fearful at work, in your relationships, or anywhere in your life, you need to read Courage by Design. Dee will convince you to never give up on yourself.”
—Jane Hyo-Sung Park, CEO and cofounder, Athena Consumer
“Using powerful stories from visionary leaders, including her own personal journey, Dee shares a profound yet simple framework for living a life of joy, fulfillment and purpose. If you want to overcome fear, make bold choices and live your best life, Courage By Design is a must-read!”
—Kirthiga Reddy, president, Athena SPACS
“Art imitates life, and I can see Dee parting the seas of excuses and distractions that are often standing in the way of your journey toward achieving success.”
—Nick Buzzell, CEO and chairman, NBTV
“Among the key things I wish I had when I started out in business is a copy of this book. Dee Robinson’s lived experience and deeply personal stories about the principles of courage make this book an imperative for anyone who wants to do better and be better, not just in business but in life.”
—Rodney Williams, former CEO and president, Belvedere Vodka (LVMH)
