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Courage by Design

Ten Commandments +1 for Moving Past Fear to Joy, Fulfillment, and Purpose

Published by Sound Wisdom
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Courage is a choice -- your choice. If you wish, you can design and follow your own personal roadmap for a courageous life. In her powerful new book, visionary business leader Dee M. Robinson shows you how to transform your life by building up the courage to hear your own authentic internal voice. That voice is what points you toward your best self -- and when you have the courage to hear it, that voice can teach you to overcome fear, make brave, bold choices, and find joy in fulfilling your true purpose in life.

Strengthening your courage muscle, Robinson maintains, is a matter of learning, practicing, and living the Courage Commandments she has shared with students and audiences around the country:
  1. Assume Full Control of Your Thoughts
  2. Be the CEO of You
  3. Break the Addiction to Fear
  4. Harness the Power of Faith
  5. Find Your Calling
  6. Play to Your Strong Suit
  7. Connect with Allies Who Are Focused on Solutions
  8. Choose Who You Do (and Don’t) Share Your Dreams With
  9. Find Success In Failure
  10. Your Secret Weapon: Give, Give and Give Again with Integrity
...and a special eleventh commandment:
+1: Win the Race: Make Good Trouble by Putting Your Heart and Soul into Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The book also features Ms. Robinson’s personal interviews with some of the most successful--and brave--leaders on the scene today. Each shares personal insights on using the Courage Commandments to design, and live, a life of bold, tenacious contribution.

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.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Sound Wisdom (November 15, 2022)
  • Length: 272 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781640954021

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Raves and Reviews

“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)

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