The Goodwill Jar: Reflections on Leadership and Legacy

by Nick O. Rowe

Positivity is contagious. Sometimes it seems that too many people are suffering from a crisis of identity, not sure what they stand for or what they want to do with their lives. “The Goodwill Jar” answers this problem. It teaches that when we focus on the good, offer the benefit of the doubt, and open our hearts to love, we can all live a richer life full of meaningful relationships. After all, humans are social creatures. Imagine what kind of world we would live in if everyone shared the goal of leaving others better than we found them. The world would be a better, happier place forever! Follows the path of a typical person as they navigate the relationships that occur in every stage of life, from childhood to the grave. It starts with the foundational values of our youth, proceeds through those tumultuous teen years, on to early adulthood, mid-life, and finally ends at retirement. Every choice builds a legacy. Our leadership foundation begins when we are very young, setting the core values that drive choices for the rest of our lives. Once you know how to fill the goodwill jar of others, you can’t help but to live with a full goodwill jar yourself. This book unlocks the secret to creating lasting relationships of trust, and thereby leaving the world better than you found it. We can all make a difference!

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2024

Reviews

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick O. Rowe’s autobiographic nonfiction self-help manual, “The Goodwill Jar: Reflections on Leadership and Legacy,” reminds readers that happiness is a personal choice, and by embracing positivity as a life decision, it makes our journeys through life joyful and our time on earth less stressful, yet simultaneously more rewarding and fulfilling.

Drawing from his own life experiences both in the workplace and when dealing with family, friends and civic commitments, Rowe encourages readers to make the world a better place than we find it.

Another maxim that Rowe frequently reflects on is some sage wisdom from our elders that is always appropriate. If we can’t say something nice (positive), then refrain from speaking at all.

These simple maxims go far as encouragement and motivation for employees, as well as in day-to-day life. Being a positive person created and fosters genuine friendships that endure throughout life.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks Goodreads Giveaways, Author Nick O. Rowe, and Publisher Advantage Books for the advance reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

[Banafshe]

Managed to read the summary

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Advantage Books for choosing me.

Full of anecdotes from the author's life, it teaches you that positivity is a choice, that being a good leader is a choice and definitely leaves the reader with a lot to think about. I enjoyed reading and learning from this author. The book was well written and easy to follow along. I'm sure I'll keep some of the lessons close for years to come.

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Goodwill Jar: Reflections on Leadership and Legacy" by Nick O. Rowe delves into the significance of nurturing relationships amidst life's chaotic demands and offers a refreshing perspective on fostering meaningful connections. The book introduces the concept of the emotional "goodwill jar," serving as a metaphorical tool to cultivate resilience and strengthen bonds.

Each relationship is depicted as having an invisible "jar" where positive interactions and acts of kindness serve as deposits. The fuller the jar, the more resilient the relationship becomes in times of adversity. However, the emphasis is not on transactional scorekeeping but rather on genuine generosity without expecting immediate reciprocation.

The importance of spreading goodwill is highlighted, urging readers to be intentional in uplifting others through positivity and support. Investing in relationships is likened to investing in stocks, with efforts often yielding returns over time. Even during rough patches, focusing on past positives and extending compassion can help preserve valuable connections.

The narrative emphasizes the integration of goodwill with tangible contributions for professional success. Adding value through proactive initiatives, problem-solving, and maintaining a positive demeanor enhances both individual and organizational growth. Emulating the ethos of exemplary organizations like Chick-fil-A underscores the significance of embodying excellence and fostering positive impact.

Navigating life's challenges with grace and empathy is encouraged, with an emphasis on self-reflection and resilience. Prioritizing what truly matters, whether it be family, faith, or close relationships, is advocated, urging readers to allocate time and energy accordingly.

In essence, "The Goodwill Jar" advocates for consistent investment in relationships and connections, acknowledging their transformative power in enriching lives and fostering personal and professional fulfillment. By understanding the principles of goodwill, reciprocity, and resilience, individuals can cultivate deeper connections, lead with empathy, and navigate life's complexities with integrity and purpose.

[Daniel Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready to enjoy this reading

"The Goodwill Jar: Reflections on Leadership and Legacy" by Nick O. Rowe is a guide that emphasizes the contagious power of positivity. In this world grappling with identity crises, Rowe presents a refreshing perspective focusing on the good, offering the benefit of the doubt, and embracing love can lead to a richer, more meaningful life with profound relationships. Nowadays, all people spend more time online than in real life. The book took me on a journey through life stages, illustrating how every choice contributes to building a legacy. Unlike typical leadership books, this book offers wisdom on creating impact in relationships, home, and life overall. The author's approach, coupled with insights from family, friends, and colleagues, makes this book a powerful catalyst for changing perspectives on life and leadership. Get ready to enjoy this reading and become in a better person when you finish this amazing book.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A positive outlook
Being positive has to do with becoming aware that even if you have a bad day, the next one can be better. After reading “The Goodwill Jar”, I realized how helpful positiveness is. Nick O. Rowe has put into words thought-provoking ideas that will give readers a lot to think about.
The book teaches people to focus on positive thinking and good deeds throughout anyone’s lives, from teen years up to the moment they retire. There’s a lot to do in this world before passing away. Choice is a powerful tool for human-beings.
This is a very interesting read that will guide people to discover their identity and find a purpose in their lives. The writer puts into words clear and valuable ideas that will enlighten those readers who want to make a change in their lives. In short, it’s a must read!

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had so much potential ugh. What is this? Fake altruism for leaders in the workplace? THIS IS JUST ABOUT BEING AGREEABLE AND NICER AND DOING MORE WORK WITH NO PAY FFS

Notes:
- The fuller the metaphorical jar, the more resilient and durable a relationship will be in the face of conflicts or challenges.
- The aim isn’t transactional scorekeeping but rather choosing to be generous and add value without expecting reciprocation each time. That said, if someone is regularly making deposits in your jar while seldom receiving back from you, the imbalance could eventually strain the bond.
- Investing in relationships with others is similar to investing in a company’s stock. (lol such a business take)
- Be easy to work with. When it’s time for layoffs, managers will be looking for people who can work calmly and efficiently, not people who cause chaos.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar by Nick O. Rowe is a wonderful little collection of recollections and experiences of the author, and the choices we can all make to live a better life. The author grew up in the USA during the segregation period and thus had to deal with many difficult social issues as a child already. Although he experienced challenging things, the author was able to make the best of them and shares his experience with readers. I particularly like the reflection points scattered throughout the book that encourage us to think about our life, attitudes and values. This is the perfect book to accompany you mindfully through all stages of life. Whether you are a youngster, a young professional, middle aged or elderly, there will be stories and thoughts relevant to you in this book.

[Yolanda Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar by Nick O. Rowe is an amazing read that exposes the power of positivity and the impact it can have on our legacy. I loved to read a book that explains the journey of a typical person's life, from youth to retirement, illustrating how each stage offers opportunities to foster goodwill and meaningful relationships. I think the most important thing is that it would make you focus on the good in people and situations, offering the benefit of the doubt, and that embracing love, will lead to richer lives and contribute to a happier world. This book made you understand how leadership is about spreading kindness and positivity, accessible to anyone regardless of their position in life.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way we see reality can be a multiplier or divisor of our emotions, which is why it is so important to surround ourselves with positive people who multiply us and we serve as multipliers for other people. Unfortunately, negativity has a greater power of contagion than positivity, which is why we must avoid toxic people at all costs and, above all, not be one of them.
That's why Nick O. Rowe, author of "The Goodwill Jar: Reflections on Leadership and Legacy," teaches us that when we focus on the good, offer the benefit of the doubt, and open our hearts to love, we can all live a better life, rich and full of meaningful relationships. This is something I learned reading this book. I recommend it.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar written by Nick O. Rowe is a book filled with positivity and it is a heartfelt guide to living a more fulfilling life through the power of goodwill and meaningful relationships. In a world often plagued by uncertainty and a crisis of identity, this book offers a refreshing perspective on how we can make a difference in the lives of others and, in turn, enrich our own.
From the very first page, the author emphasises the contagious nature of positivity, highlighting the impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole. What I enjoyed the most in this book is that the author has transmitted his ideas through anecdotes, personal reflections, and practical advice that makes it very pleasant and easy to read.

[MystiqueLaLynx · Rating 1 out of 5]

Goodreads Givaway: I start every book from the title page - so in the forward we discover that the author is a Christian from the bible quotes. I then skimmed the rest of the book as I was given this for a review. I found references to religion throughout the text, while the main points are about you choosing to be better, many parts that are about how you choosing to be ... ect and there is a passage that states "It is what the rest of the world see's in you that matters most" I feel that this is real negative book - puts the full blame on the person reading the text, it is not self empowering.

Basically it is true I didn't 'read' the book but from the bits that I did I wasn't comfortable with the way and means of conveying the information.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the cover it says that this book covers reflections on leadership and legacy, however I felt it was much more about being a good human being. Kindness, understanding, communication and just downright doing right by others. The chapter on value and investing in personal relationships for example reminded me that no matter what position I hold in an organization, I still should be able to add value through my responsibilities.
For anyone looking to be better, do better by themselves and others, this is one of the books to read- it includes reflection questions at the end of each chapter to help narrow down on what you could improve on.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar is a lovely, feel-good read. Rowe's book is personal and it's clear that he is passionate about leadership and making lasting impacts on people. The concept of the "Goodwill Jar" did not exactly resonate with me in ways that I was hoping, but this book is still wonderful regardless. This book is for you if you are seeking guidance in leadership/the workplace, developing your life purpose, and overall wanting to make this world a better place.

All opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. Full review and more will be published to yr.media on or after Jan. 9th, 2023.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Build the world better with goodness

The author of this book poses a basic question, how can we leave others better after interactions with us? He gives us lessons and teachings that we can utilize in any stage of our lives. From childhood through adulthood into our older years, there are many lessons that we can learn and utilize in order to make ourselves better, and leave others better after we have seen them. I found this book to be very interesting and I think it really follows along the lines of the Pay It Forward message, however it takes it even further and gives you real tangible ways in order to build a true and Lasting Legacy.

[Saya Jacaranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helped me

“The Goodwill Jar” by Rowe is one of those books that makes you rethink everything and reflect on what you are doing and how you are approaching life. Life is really a riddle for most people or at least for me. We come to this world without really knowing what to do with ourselves. Nobody really knows how this works. Some people find their true calling or sense in life quicker than others. And while you are on the hunt for it, it can become quite tumultuous for some. I am personally in that phase where I don’t really know what I’m doing with my life. But I guess I just have to keep going. This book really helped me to get some new ideas and reflections in. I appreciate the thought provoking and deep topics touched in this book.

[Lauraforero · Rating 5 out of 5]

life lesson

For me, this was a life-changing book. By the moment I discover this book, my kid was going through a hard time at school and was struggling with some identity issues. In addition to going to therapy and consulting to some other professionals, this book helped me greatly to understand how to deal with all the doubts and insecurity my kid was constantly having towards himself. Also, on how focus on the good and how privilege we are and teaching him by example. I highly recommend this book and no matter on what you are going through or even if you are in a good moment of your life; this book is going to uplevel your state of being.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this kind of book because I truly believe in the transformative power of positivity on personal and communal levels. The Goodwill Jar: Reflections on Leadership and Legacy explores the advantage of a life enriched by meaningful connections, achieved by focusing on the good, trusting others, and embracing love. This book took me on a journey through the various phases of life, emphasizing how our actions and choices at each stage contribute to the legacy we leave behind. What this book made me do is to start having a mindset shift towards positivity and goodwill, because this is the way to improve the lives of those around me and also my life.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great positive message.

I honestly think that more kind views on humanity are necessary and this book is it. The Goodwill Jar by Nick O. Rowe is an exceptional book that is about the forms and objectives of leadership.
The majority of books about these topics are purely business, and leadership is strictly related to a job, instead this book has a more humanistic vision. Although the author talks of success and business objectives, he focuses in the possitive impact that can generate in others.
I liked it because it is a kind and constructive perspective. It is inspiring and can help us help others and at the same time improve ourselves. I think the message it provides is great!

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar by Rowe is a pleasant book that I will recommend for sure. Along the pages, I found clearance and plenty of answers to many topics in life. In this enriching and educational narrative, Rowe highlights the power of positivity, trust, and love. I love the message of building deeper connections and leading more meaningful lives. A point that I think makes the book so good is the fact that it is written in friendly, formal and consistent language. So, the message is clear, direct and gentle. I am keeping this book at hand for a second read in the near future, as I found many ideas very useful to implement in my everyday life. I highly recommend it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for many reasons, one of them is that having experiences from a very young age to retirement gives a different perspective and such more meaning to the theory and the concepts we read about in The Goodwill Jar. My favorite thing about it is that at the end of each chapter, it has a section that invites the reader to reflect and do some active thinking on the things that were discussed before. So, it is encouraging to do something about it at the moment. I found that characteristic to be unique and very helpful as well.
Overall, the book will help readers to work on communication, relationships and leaving a positive impact on people.

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Goodwill Jar" by Nick O. Rowe is a unique book where he shares life experiences and lessons from growing up during segregation in the USA. Despite facing challenges, Rowe used those tough times to become a better person. The book emphasizes the importance of positivity, trust, and love, serving as a guide for making deeper connections and living a more meaningful life. With its friendly and clear language, the book makes the message accessible to everyone. Regardless of your age, the stories and reflections in the book resonate with different moments in life.

This book is truly a gem worth sharing; I highly recommend it to others!

[Santiago Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend reading it

Rowe's message about the power of focusing on the good, offering kindness, and nurturing meaningful relationships is both timely and uplifting. His emphasis on leaving a positive impact on others resonates deeply, reminding readers of the importance of compassion and empathy in our interactions. As we journey through the stages of life with Rowe's guidance, we are reminded that every choice we make contributes to our legacy. This book is a heartfelt reminder of the transformative power of goodwill and the profound impact it can have on our lives and the world around us.

[Amanda Hodde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Leadership book

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

Good book for all levels of leadership, broken down into stages of career and situations that will arise as your career progresses.

I had one section that really spoke to me, and what I deal with at this time in my career. I would think that each person who reads this book will feel the same and have a section that speaks more to them.

The author does share that his perspective comes from being a christian male who also is of African american descent. He is honest about how those things do play a role in his vision of life situations.

I would recommend this book to anyone in a leadership role.

[Krissy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar was positively wonderful. It gave light to more than work. It spoke of friendships and relationships collectively. I plan on buying copies for our grown children and friends. I adore how in-tune Nick Rowe is to real life situations and how he addresses the hard parts while focusing in on ways to be successful and kind. I already have referenced “adding to the jar” to family, friends and patients. One kind gesture could be the only one a person receives in a day, be the good in the world. This book encompasses exactly that.

[S Tyty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodwill Jar by Rowe is a book with plenty of answers for us, and its ultimate objective is making us understand that we can make better places and leave better people than they were when we went there.
The narrative is enriching and educational, it truly opens our eyes and helps us realize there is a better world out there for us to explore. The author seems to speak from the bottom of his heart, and he is clear and concise. He leaves a vital message to us.
I wish I had this book before; I feel as if my life would have been a completely different one. Recommended!

[Mia C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of positivity in a world often clouded by uncertainty. The author's insights remind us that positivity is contagious, offering a way for living a richer life through meaningful relationships. I think the author eloquently guides readers through life's stages, emphasizing the importance of leaving others better than we found them. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration on their journey of self-discovery and leadership.

[Beverly Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any message of optimism, goodwill and/or kindness is of particular need in today's world. I found this book slightly repetitive of it's own messages and (specifically) phrasing. Ex: the word "leadership" should have been edited using a thesaurus or delete key

Aside from the(likely) first book oopsies, I was pleasantly surprised and found great substance to the theme and ways to incorporate in the readers own life.

[JRock_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that captures the essence of kindness and the power of generosity. Each chapter unveils a new story, highlighting the ripple effect of kindness and its ability to transform lives. From helping a struggling mother to inspiring an elderly man - the jar's influence reaches far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
What sets "The Goodwill Jar" apart is Rowe's storytelling. The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, pulling the reader into the lives of each character. The characters are well-developed, relatable and authentic. They go through struggles as any real person would and the community around them is both heartwarming and inspiring.
This novel is touching and uplifting - it reminds us of the importance of the goodness of humanity. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming tale with a lasting impression.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great little read. I felt like I was listening to my father and grandfather as this is the way they would have guided me. Nick Rowe's compassion and adherence to what value am I bringing to this was exactly what I needed to hear. I plan to gift this book to several people in my life