Be the Sun, Not the Salt

by Harry D. Cohen

If you are looking for a clear and honest guide to finding your best self, this is it. Dr. Harry D. Cohen, psychologist and long-time executive coach, has distilled his best advice into one bite-size package - simple wisdom bound to evoke aha! moments. Cohen translates the heliotropic effect, the tendency of living organisms to turn toward the sun, into human terms. Are you like the sun on leaves of a plant, providing nourishment, encouraging growth and drawing people toward you? Or are you like salt on a plant's roots, causing others to wither, becoming less than they could be? Perhaps a bit of both? Be the Sun, Not the Salt, will help you identify your behavior while providing common sense suggestions to improve your everyday relationships and encounters. You'll want to keep this book on your desk or by your bedside as a simple reminder to be your best self.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Adult, Leadership

71 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2018

About the author

A shrink, coach, husband, father, restaurateur, serial entrepreneur, speaker and friend. Currently, I am an executive coach on retainer at several companies to help their executives and high potential managers hone their leadership skills and focus on their unique strengths.

I wrote a book many years ago titled, Secrets of the Obvious, which I believe to be a guide for balanced living and for the last 9 years, I have owned The Black Pearl, a restaurant in Ann Arbor, MI which allows me the opportunity to practice the principles I teach.

A few years ago, I was asked to give a TEDx Talk on my coaching philosophy which is centered around heliotropic leadership. The principles I discussed in the TedX Talk resonated with many and therefore, inspired me to spread the message to as many people as possible. I have gathered other like-minds to help me with this goal!

I invite you to learn more about my latest book Be the Sun, Not the Salt, in which I dive further into these heliotropic principles and how to apply them within your life. Click the link below to learn more about the book!

Glad you found us! Please let us know if you have any thoughts about how to do even more good with this message.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the concept of this book. It is such a great reminder to us to nurture those around us! I like that you can use it when you feel the need, not all at once. I gave a copy to my college daughter to keep and use in her dorm. Is it stuff we already know? Perhaps, but it really makes me stop and think before I speak. We can all use a review of our personal behavior now and then. I know people are using it to aid in their management style. I am working to be more Heliotropic in my personal life!

[Christian Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple but powerful book. A reminder that kindness and consciousness return many fold.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for all! Heliotropic leadership is real and attainable!

[Amber Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real things to apply to your daily life. 30 days of not being the salt...could be a monthly daily reader to keep it all in perspective.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I know, this book is not in my normal bailiwick. It was written by a friend of a friend, which is how I came across it. I liked it - mostly because it feels very 'real,' its not schmaltzy or too cutesy. The precepts are nothing that you haven't heard before - but it sure doesn't hurt to be reminded. I rather like opening the book at random and reading one entry, and perhaps trying to do better with that thought in my head for the day. In these days when we are all on the verge of rage (sometimes for very valid reasons), it can be helpful to have someone walk you back to calmness and kindness. Assholes exist, my becoming one doesn't help anything. I absolutely need to be reminded of that from time to time; the rush from anger/meanness can feel pretty good for a moment . . . and then it doesn't. The absolute best advice, however, is on page 70 - its only two words: Do It.

[Jake Belknap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a great life perspective on living your best life for yourself and others.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is speaking my language! Centered around the idea of "Heliotropic Leadership" meaning to be drawn to people who express qualities that energize us, people positive energizers. Although there are 30 short lessons described here the ones that stood out most to me are:
1. Do all the Good you can
2. Be helpful
6. Light someone up.
8. Assume positive intent
13. Be your own best friend
18. Do the next right thing
23. Keep your cool
29. Be an Olympic listener
And of course the last one , frickin do it!

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would be good to keep at the bedside and read a page or two a day in order to really give the ideas some thought. The concepts are simple yet important.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be part of a grant cohort in which the funder arranged for Harry to speak with us virtually during the COVID -19 pandemic. We all benefitted from the interactions and eventually created a monthly group called Salt Shakers Anonymous. Harry helps you to shift your focus; not to completely forget the world, but to change your outlook and find ways to be less salty with co-workers, family, and the public. I found myself reaching into the bag of tricks, tips, and techniques we learned to become more heliotropic - to help bring light and growth into your own life as well as to help others thrive as well!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been lectured over and over about how i need to let the small things go and focus on the bigger picture, this book will help you with more clarity on that. It was a good, quick read.

[kevbon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, short self-help book. My grandfather had raved about it and had gifted me a copy. 1/50 down for the year, Madeline.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing particularly bad in here, in fact, everything is good advice, but this book probably didn’t need to be written. I say that because I can’t think of anyone I would give this book to for any reason (well, unless someone saw it and asked to borrow it...)

The author seems to think they figured out some great secret nobody else knows, and maybe for that reason they don’t seem to have selected an audience to write the book for. The end result is a book of lightly fleshed out platitudes.

If you ever happen upon a copy, it’s fair to read through it a few pages at a time, but there’s no reason to go out of your way to find a copy.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short, sweet, but packed with do-able tips to strengthen your relationships with yourself and everyone around you. Dr. Cohen explains this idea of being a "heliotropic" person. The heliotropic effect is the tendency for all living systems to be drawn to energy that sustains its life. So, just like a plant on the windowsill tilts towards the sun, we are attracted and drawn to people who express qualities that energize us. Dr. Cohen then goes through many ideas with very short answers on how to apply this effect in your life. It was a very insightful and pleasant read!

[Merrie Hildebrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be the Sun, Not the Salt is filled with wisdom! It confirms and challenges my interpersonal ideals and skills. I found the read therapeutic as I’ve been healing from a severed friendship, and it put into words what I am looking for in current and future friendships and other relationships. I am also learning what I can do differently, and this book is perfect for quick and digestible mindset shifts. I don’t know many short self help resources that mention motives. I am humbly challenged by keeping my motive clear and clean which is beautifully explained in the section Do The Next Right Thing. I highly suggest this book, and I hope you find a nugget of wisdom for your life! Be the sun, everyone!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be the sun, not the salt. It’s a memorable metaphor that reminds us how to be kind and positive, the kind of person others enjoy and respect. Common sense? Yes, that’s what Cohen is prescribing in this little book. But as someone wise once told me, “Common sense is not common practice.” So why not read this short book as a reminder?

Bonus: the book’s design, imagery, and typography are quirky and beautiful.

I’ll keep this on our coffee table, at arm’s reach for me and anyone else who’s intrigued by the cover. I think people will reach for it.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little "good advice, how to improve the world, what you can do to be positive" kind of book. Chris got it from work and I really do find his co-workers to be amazingly kind, supportive, thoughtful people. His work embodies this book and I hope to do the same, but there is not much in it you haven't heard before. Listen more than you talk (I will battle this one my whole life!), don't say anything if you have nothing kind to contribute, and be gentle with the world.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short impactful book about accentuating the positive. This book is full of quotes by the powerful and the wise from both the past and present. This book teaches you to take the high road and reframe your words, so we can be “Heliotrope.” We should be the Sun, Not the Salt.

[Jim Nyland · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good reminder of some very common sense principals that are becoming less common. Well written, concise, and easy to digest. This would be be a good gift to give to your team, organization, etc.

[Lauren Kirchmyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intentionally simply written piece about how we can all make the world a better place. Great daily reminders about being human, but growing from those human mistakes. I hope people look at me as someone who is the sun in their world!

[Tracey Devney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas to point out the ways we know we need to live by. If I can remember to do even just one of the ideas I will be living a better me.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It honestly inspired me to think better so I could do MUCH better!!

[Presh · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.0/5.0

[Drew Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody should do a little more of THAT

[Ed Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great simple but practical read!

[Shawndra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight to the point.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to read this in a group over a 30 day or 30 week period of time. This would be a great book to journal along with as well.

[JulS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet ways to make life better for you and others.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, useful and a good reminder for everyone. Definitely one to keep handy.

[Rachel Bransky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read and will be returning to read again. Amazing points to carry into all relationships in life