Mellor - Sleeping giants: authentic stories and insights for building a life that matters

Dr. Nathan Mellor in his book, Sleeping Giants: Authentic Stories and Insights for Building a Life that Matters inspires us with the stories of people who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of others through their remarkable accomplishments and great sacrifices. He challenges us to set our own successful journeys of life through faith, servant leadership, compassion, vision, determination and commitment.

Mark A. Stansberry,

Chairman of The GTD Group,

& Former Chairman and Acting CEO of

People to People International

Dr. Nathan Mellor is an astute student of human nature. His ability to refine the essence of everyday occurrences and interpret the behaviors and actions of individuals and situations into meaningful life lessons is extraordinary. This book is a powerful example of his ability to tell a compelling story and find the deeper universal meaning from the experience.

Dr. Mellor embodies the principles of his company, Strata Leadership, in providing leadership based on character. In my years of association with Dr. Mellor, he is consistently encouraging while honestly and realistically providing guidance to peers and those he mentors. His leadership and innovative ideas have provided guidance to companies and individuals in a wide range of fields and situations. His dedication to family as well as his spiritual commitments have provided him with valuable insights that provide illustrations and connections that go beyond the world of work to glean deeper lessons from real life experiences, which he readily shares in helping to guide corporations and individuals.

Dr. Steve Eckman,

President, York College

The stories and insights shared in Dr. Nathan Mellors Sleeping Giants are as authentic as the man who has authored them. I have long been an admirer of Nathans and an advocate of the work accomplished by the many Strata Leadership endeavors under his leadership. He is man of fine character. The core of his character is clearly rooted in faith and family, as evidenced in the heartwarming, eloquent lessons learned from his parents, his community, and fellow leaders, which he has penned in this book.

Mo Anderson,

Vice Chairman of the Board, Keller Williams

WOW! When I was a graduate student majoring in Administration and Leadership I wish my required reading had included this book! It is one thing to study Leadership models, and quite another to read about real people, in real situations who lived the kind of lives and made the kind of decisions that inspired the leadership models we study today. This book is a personal and historic account of our countrys heritage. A heritage that includes everyday people who inspired, encouraged, taught and ultimately shaped the lives of the populace and future of our nation. As you read this book it will remind you that our heritage is one to be admired and respected. We, today, are truly standing on the shoulders of the Sleeping Giants of our ancestry.

Dee Carson, ED.D.,

Retired Dean and Assistant Vice President,

Harding University

If people respond to real stories, and I believe they do, this book should be a bestseller because it captures the true-life struggles and life lessons learned for the author, his family, friends and national leaders.

I have known the author since he was a student leader at Harding. I consider him a very close friend even though we live miles apart and seldom see each other. This doesnt really matter, because when we meet, its as though weve never been apart.

He is a visionary and a dreamer with a plan. The consistent theme in the collection of stories that he shares in this book is the fact that service to others matters and makes a difference in relationships for individuals, for families, for communities, and for our nation.

Im reminded of his leading a group of student volunteers while he was at Harding, to Georgia to clean up after a major flood. He did so as a student body President, but he really did it because it mattered to him, and this kind of leadership is simply part of his DNA.

David B. Burks, Ph.D.,

Chancellor, Harding University

Dr. Nathan Mellor is a master story teller who has the gift of painting with words the deeper truths that awakens the soul with a fire to change the world! All through telling the stories of giants, of those we all want desperately to be around and to do life with! Every generation must rediscover the truth about life, leadership, and service to others out of love.

I have known Nathan for the better part of a decade and his life has been in service to others through the teaching and speaking about leadership and character. He shares with us the tools and skills to building a life that matters. He has awakened and inspired many sleeping giants and his call to action is as clear as Ted Roosevelts when faced with adversity and seemingly impossible odds, well start the war from here.

Consider the lives and choices made by those within these pages and the impact they have had on those around them and then contemplate the principles being lived out and see how they can serve us in our present generation with the challenges we face today.

I count it as a great honor to have called Dr. Mellor professor, mentor, coach, Whistle Pig, and best of all friend.

Shad Glass, MBA,

Executive Vice President, Kimray Inc.

We constantly shuffle, reshuffle, and fight to develop working mental models to make sense of life. However timeless stories make the most impact in the process. Nathan uses both personal and well-known stories to set a stage and then like a microscope reveals the underlying values that make them great. We need to be reminded of ideals that bring true strength of character and service to others.

Paul Crawford,

President/CEO, Ordermatic Corporation

In his book and in his life, Nathans storytelling ability is only surpassed by his desire to encourage others to realize how their day to day actions can change the people and the world around them. This book reminds you of how your gifts and opportunities impact others.

Frank Smith,

President of Mosaic Personnel & Sr. Executive Coach

Ever the consummate storyteller, Nathan Mellor takes us on a journey through his experiences with ease and simplicity. The vignettes are the type that you would imagine hearing as you sit around a campfire, sipping hot cocoa. Although they are a quick-read, the questions posed throughout the chapter cause moments of self-reflection that leads to the kind of deep thinking that might just awaken the giant in us all.

Dr. Karen Dennis,

Assistant Professor of Education, University of Mobile

This book is a treasure of inspiration wrapped in wisdom, humor, and humility. Virtue and optimism are conveyed on every page. As with his presentations, Dr. Mellor connects us with is sense of honor, family, and heroes from all walks of lifewhether privileged or poor. He sparks a desire to ask more of ourselves and energizes us to take the next steps. His messages are a welcome respite in a world that tends to squelch the human spirit. My only question is this: how soon will he write another book? Im eager to hear more!

Shannon Warren,

Founder/CEO, Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium

Throughout Sleeping Giants , Dr. Mellor invites leaders from all backgrounds and walks-of-life on a journey of transformation. Reading this book is an experience that encourages reflection, builds inspiration, and sparks action. In an ever-so-skillful manner, Dr. Mellor draws leaders to the point of exploring their own leadership journey through beautifully articulated stories of challenge, determination, and change. Whether you are a business professional, public or non-profit leader, or an educator, Dr. Mellors words remind us of the exponential impact great leaders have on the world and the critical importance for todays leaders to step into their full potential.