No Greatness Without Goodness

Randy Lewis bet his career that he could create an inclusive workplace at one of America’s biggest corporations where people with disabilities could not just succeed, but thrive. No Greatness without Goodness is the powerful story of a corporate executive who, after watching the world through the eyes of his own child with autism, Austin, realized that we all have a greater responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone, including those with disabilities.

As the Senior Vice President of Walgreens, Randy Lewis has created thousands of full-time jobs for people with disabilities. No Greatness without Goodness offers a firsthand account of what it takes to lead with courage in order to change people’s lives for the better. Randy’s motto is “What’s the use of having power if you don’t use it to do good.” In this book, you’ll learn how to start working for good no matter where you are or how much power you hold. - See more at: http://www.tyndale.com/No-Greatness-without-Goodness/9781414383644#.U4R3R3ZIWjI

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 21, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414383649
• ISBN-13: 978-1414383644
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches

Randy Lewis bet his career that he could create an inclusive workplace at one of America’s biggest corporations where people with disabilities could not just succeed, but thrive. No Greatness without Goodness is the powerful story of a corporate executive who, after watching the world through the eyes of his own child with autism, Austin, realized that we all have a greater responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone, including those with disabilities.

As the Senior Vice President of Walgreens, Randy Lewis has created thousands of full-time jobs for people with disabilities. No Greatness without Goodness offers a firsthand account of what it takes to lead with courage in order to change people’s lives for the better. Randy’s motto is “What’s the use of having power if you don’t use it to do good.” In this book, you’ll learn how to start working for good no matter where you are or how much power you hold. 

My Impressions

I adored this book. My uncle suffers with Multiple sclerosis and I hate seeing people treat him differential just because he does not look like everyone else and he cannot talk. I admire Randy for standing up for his son Austin and creating a wonderful avenue that people with disabilities can use to be productive citizens and at the same time allowing them to keep their self esteem in tact by providing for themselves at least on a small level.

This is a book for anyone who believes that one person cannot make a difference-because you can if you put your mind and heart to it. Every single person has a purpose in life that God has destined us to carry out, Randy found his through his son. What could have crippled this family, Randy used to to give his son strength, purpose, pride and above all showed him unconditional love and acceptance.

The only thing I really hate is the Special Wage Certificate Program, which permits nonprofits and companies to obtain a certificate that allows them to hire disabled workers “based on their abilities” at whatever wage they find appropriate, with no minimum. I am not saying that Walgreen's does this at all, it is just one of the injustices that are still out there that really upset me when I hear about companies taking a great thing and exploiting it for basically free labor.

I can easily suggest this book and have done so on many occasions already.  One person can change the world if they have the courage to stand up and let their heart speak. A disability does not make you useless, even though sadly so many in our society view people with disabilities as just that-useless, instead a disability  makes an individual unique and equipped with skill sets that are utilized differently, but they are not incapable and I have yet to meet a person with a disability that did not want to work and be productive and live a "normal" life.

Biography

Randy Lewis, former Vice President of Walgreens, Peace Corps volunteer, Fortune 50 executive and accidental advocate, led Walgreens' logistics division for sixteen years as the chain grew from 1,500 to 8,000 stores. Randy introduced an inclusive model in Walgreens distribution centers that resulted in ten percent of its workforce consisting of people with disabilities who are held to the same standards as those without disabilities. Its success has changed the lives of thousands with and without disabilities and is serving as a model for other employers in the U.S and abroad.