“Keep the Change: Using the 12 Steps to Become a Better Leader in Every Area of Life” by Bart Nollenberger is a profound exploration of personal transformation through the lens of recovery and leadership. This book is not just a guide for people with a substance abuse disorder but a universal call for introspection and growth, combining personal anecdotes with the principles of the 12 Steps program and Christian values.
Introduction
Nollenberger starts by acknowledging that everyone has aspects of their life they need to change, labeling all of us as ‘addicts’ in some way due to our insecurities and voids. He shares his personal story of addiction to alcohol and cocaine and how the 12 Steps of Celebrate Recovery played a crucial role in his transformation. Over the years, he learned that change is a continuous process, likening it to Christian sanctification.
Nollenberger emphasizes that the book is not just about leadership but also about self-development, inviting readers into a journey of transformation to become better in various life roles. He clarifies that “Keep the Change: Using the 12 Steps to Become a Better Leader in Every Area of Life” is structured around the 12 Steps, each chapter relating to a step and incorporating stories, biblical principles, and leadership lessons.
Chapter 1: Perfume on the Pig
Chapter 1, “Perfume on the Pig,” of Bart Nollenberger’s “Keep The Change,” corresponds to the first step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves admitting powerlessness and acknowledging that life has become unmanageable.
In this chapter, Nollenberger’s recounting of his high school years, marked by his struggle with alcohol and his quest for attention and affection, illustrates this step. He reflects on how his family’s focus on external appearances and avoidance of deep issues—likened to putting “perfume on a pig”—contributed to his inability to confront and manage his underlying problems, exemplifying the essence of the first step in the recovery process.
Chapter 2: Tale of a Car Salesman
Nollenberger recounts his escalation into harder substances like cocaine, weed, and acid during his tenure as a car salesman. His life was filled with reckless thrill-seeking, influenced by his craving for attention and affection. Despite numerous wake-up calls, including his father’s death from alcoholism and several near-death experiences, he remained in denial about his addiction.
This chapter aligns with the second step of Celebrate Recovery, emphasizing the importance of believing in a power greater than oneself and the humility required for recovery.
Chapter 3: Loosening the Tie
This chapter of Bart Nollenberger’s book, “Keep the Change: Using the 12 Steps to Become a Better Leader in Every Area of Life,” aligns with the third step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves deciding to turn one’s will and life over to the care of God.
In this chapter, Nollenberger’s account of being caught using cocaine at work and his subsequent firing, which he experiences as a relief, signifies his readiness to change and mirrors the essence of the third step. This moment marks a crucial turning point where he begins to grasp the damaging impact of his addiction and indicates his willingness to seek a new path, in line with surrendering to a higher power for guidance and transformation.
This chapter reflects the growing realization that his addiction was causing more harm than good, leading him to understand the deeper implications of his actions beyond just the immediate gratification of substance abuse.
Chapter 4: The Root and the Reason
Within “Keep the Change: Using the 12 Steps to Become a Better Leader in Every Area of Life” by Bart Nollenberger, Chapter 4 focuses on conducting a moral inventory and understanding the root causes of addiction. This chapter delves into the essential process of introspection and acknowledgment, which is vital to recovery and leadership development.
A poignant story within this chapter revolves around Gus, Bart’s counselor. Gus confronts Bart with a harsh reality check, stating that Bart would fail in his recovery because he hasn’t hit rock bottom. This interaction highlights a critical aspect of recovery: acknowledging and confronting the full extent of one’s problems. Gus implies that Bart’s reluctance to embrace change fully is due to a lack of genuine disdain for his current state, thereby avoiding true transformation.
This mirrors the fourth step of Celebrate Recovery, which emphasizes a fearless moral inventory of oneself, insisting on a deep and honest look into oneself, acknowledging flaws and the true impact of one’s actions.
Chapter 5: Radically Real
Bart Nollenberger reflects on his family dynamics and how avoiding difficult conversations was a generational trait. He narrates his journey in rehab, particularly a moment when he found a bag of cocaine in his shirt pocket.
This realization became a turning point for him. Instead of giving in to temptation, he chose to dispose of the drug, symbolizing a commitment to change. This act led him to confront his mother about his addiction, marking a shift from hiding his problems to being radically honest.
This chapter highlights the importance of the fifth step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves admitting one’s wrongs to oneself, God, and others, underscoring the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, honesty, and integrity in recovery. Nollenberger emphasizes that accountability and community are essential for lasting transformation.
Chapter 6: Rum-Layered Soup
This chapter starts with a celebration at a high-end restaurant after Bart Nollenberger graduates from the recovery center. The discovery of rum in his lobster bisque is a stark reminder of his commitment to sobriety. He describes the action he took following this incident, which included discarding all hidden drugs and alcohol in his home.
This chapter shows Nollenberger’s dedication to his new path, focusing on the importance of establishing firm boundaries and the necessity of accepting the full scope of your addiction. He emphasizes the need to replace destructive habits with healthier ones. He discusses the impact of sobriety on his role as a father and his professional life.
The sixth step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves being ready for God to remove all character defects, is explored in detail. Nollenberger talks about the significance of acceptance, not just of your addiction but also of the need for profound personal change. He stresses that readiness for transformation is a continuous and essential aspect of recovery.
Chapter 7: Anchored and Open
Bart explores ongoing personal growth beyond initial recovery. The chapter emphasizes that overcoming addiction or resolving a significant life challenge does not mark the end of personal development. Instead, it begins a more profound journey into self-awareness and transformation.
Bart Nollenberger reflects on his experiences post-sobriety, underscoring the reality that addictive behaviors and tendencies can manifest in different forms, even after overcoming substance abuse. This realization is crucial as it highlights the importance of continuous self-improvement and confronting one’s deep-seated issues. The story illustrates that sobriety is not just about abstaining from substances; it’s about ongoing personal development and dealing with underlying problems, such as the need for attention and affection that Nollenberger himself struggled with.
Nollenberger’s narrative aligns perfectly with the seventh step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves humbly asking God to remove shortcomings. The chapter and the seventh step emphasize acknowledging and continuously working on deeper personal flaws, not just superficial symptoms (like addiction). It’s about a holistic approach to self-improvement, recognizing that recovery and leadership are lifelong journeys that require constant attention and humility.
Chapter 8: Flying Staplers
In “Flying Staplers,” the eighth chapter of Bart Nollenberger’s “Keep the Change,” the author reflects on his evolution from a Level 1 positional leader, who relied on authority and fear, to a Level 2 relational leader, who builds trust and connections. Nollenberger shares an anecdote where his anger led him to throw a stapler at an employee, symbolizing his former leadership style rooted in authority and personal issues. He contrasts this with John Maxwell’s levels of leadership, emphasizing the shift to a style based on relationships and trust. This transformation aligns with his journey through sobriety and faith, highlighting the role of self-awareness and accountability in effective leadership.
Comparing this to the eighth step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves making a list of all persons harmed and becoming willing to make amends, the chapter resonates deeply. Both emphasize the importance of recognizing the impact of one’s actions on others and taking responsibility to foster healing and build stronger, more authentic relationships.
Chapter 9: Freedom through Forgiveness
Bart Nollenberger discusses the challenges and importance of Steps 8 and 9 of the recovery process, which focuses on forgiveness. Nollenberger admits his initial struggle with these steps, which required a “relational humility” he had not yet embraced. The chapter explores the transformative power of acknowledging the harm caused to others and the act of making amends. Nollenberger’s journey into deeper faith leads him to a more profound understanding and application of these steps.
This chapter emphasizes step eight of Celebrate Recovery, making a list of those harmed, and step nine of Celebrate Recovery, actively seeking to make amends. Both highlight the importance of confronting one’s past, taking responsibility for one’s actions and the healing power of forgiveness. Nollenberger emphasizes that this process is about personal liberation, healing relationships, and moving forward with an honest approach to life and leadership.
Chapter 10: Cabin in the Woods
Nollenberger isolates himself for a month in a remote cabin with minimal amenities, focusing on introspection through journaling, reading scripture, and daily therapy sessions, seeking to break destructive patterns in his relationships. This experience is a deep dive into understanding and addressing the root causes of his behavioral patterns, particularly his struggles with anger and relational issues.
While the tenth step of Celebrate Recovery emphasizes continued personal inventory and prompt admission of wrongs, this chapter demonstrates a profound commitment to self-examination and correcting personal flaws. It’s an embodiment of the tenth step’s principles:
- Continually assessing one’s actions.
- Understanding their impact.
- Taking responsibility to foster personal growth and healthier relationships.
Chapter 11: Learning to Know
Rooted in the Twelve Steps of Celebrate Recovery, Chapter 11 of “Keep the Change,” titled “Learning to Know,” delves into the author’s daily practice of prayer and meditation; Nollenberger begins each day with the Third and Seventh Step prayers, setting a tone of humility and a willingness to change. He emphasizes the transformative power of these prayers in anchoring his heart and guiding his journey in recovery. The chapter explores the evolving meaning of prayer over time and its role in maintaining sobriety and personal growth.
Nollenberger’s practice exemplifies the eleventh step of Celebrate Recovery, which involves improving conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation. This step highlights the significance of prayer and contemplation in deepening one’s understanding of self and God. It reinforces that continual spiritual discipline is crucial in recovery and personal transformation in sustaining long-term change and developing a stronger sense of self and purpose.
Chapter 12: Fountain of Value
The author reflects on his daily practice of prayer and how it has evolved into a continuous source of spiritual nourishment and guidance. This chapter emphasizes being ’emptied’ to make room for new, spiritually enriching experiences. Nollenberger discusses how letting go of old patterns and embracing humility paved the way for a life filled with love, peace, a deeper connection with God, and contribution to others. Chapter 12 of “Keep the Change,” titled “Fountain of Value,” is the culmination of the journey through the Twelve Steps of Recovery.
This chapter aligns with the twelfth step of Celebrate Recovery, which focuses on carrying the message of recovery to others and practicing the principles learned in all aspects of life. Nollenberger’s transformation through the Steps and his commitment to sharing his experiences with others embodies this principle. He stresses the importance of using one’s spiritual journey to add value to others’ lives, thus achieving true significance.
“Keep the Change: Using the 12 Steps to Become a Better Leader in Every Area of Life” by Bart Nollenberger
Take your leadership to the next level with “Keep the Change: Using the 12 Steps to Become a Better Leader in Every Area of Life” by Bart Nollenberger. Transform yourself and inspire others. Begin your journey of growth and effective leadership now. Get your copy today!
