What do you think?
Rate this book
The Difference Maker: A Simple Fable About Making A Difference In The Life Of Others
"I was lured into believing that success was about money, power, fame, and pleasure. If those things defined success, then I should have opted for failure. My true success in life came when my focus was on doing what God wanted me to do and investing in the life of others. My only regret is that I wasted so many years chasing the wind when I should have been all in from the start." Taylor Bellows The death of Taylor Bellows, one of the wealthiest men in the world, devastates Brendan Austin, his best friend since childhood. But even more than Taylor's death, it's the set of journals he left behind that shakes the foundation of Brendan's life. Brendan and Taylor grew up together, from their days spent having adventures in the woods and pretending to be businessmen in Taylor's father's office to their eventual careers and marriages to the lovely Allison and Ann-and to Taylor's struggles with infidelity. But through it all, Brendan and his wife Ann stood by Taylor and Allison, mentoring and guiding them toward the truth-even as Brendan often felt that Taylor resisted taking his words into his heart. And now, in reading Taylor's journals, Brendan uncovers things he had never known...about his friend, his life, and his faith. He discovers what it means to be a difference maker. A conversation starter, an approachable guide-in fable form-for mentors both deliberate and unintentional, The Difference Maker looks at the godly principles of true success, mentorship, leadership, courage, and transformation. The truths are powerful and applicable, in life and in faith, for everyone who reads them. Learn how to lead others while you follow The One.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
42 people want to read
About the author
Tony Bridwell
6 books8 followersWith over 30 years of global leadership expertise, Tony Bridwell has dedicated his life to inspiring, motivating and empowering employees to realize their highest potential.
He currently serves as Chief People Officer for RYAN LLC, a global leader in the tax services industry. His focus, as head of the global human resource practice, is on enhancing, communicating, and driving RYAN'S award-winning culture to support the firm’s strategic vision while also gaining greater competitive advantage by attracting developing, and retaining the most talented tax professionals in the industry.
His previous roles include Senior Partner for the global consulting firm, Partners in Leadership, where he worked with some of the top organizations around the world helping maximize their cultures to exceed business objective and deliver greater shareholder value, as well as former SVP, CPO for Brinker International, where Mr. Bridwell led a global team of more than 60,000 people. His work transforming the Brinker culture to the next level garnered him the highest recognition from his peers in the industry. In fact, he was selected as the 2015 HR Executive of the Year by Dallas HR (the local SHRM affiliate) and won the 2015 Strategic Leadership Award from Strategic Excellence HR.
In addition to his professional commitments, Tony is dedicated to multiple organizations. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves on the board of directors for Southwest Transplant Alliance, a non-profit organization that serves as the bridge between those who make the decision to donate their organs and those needing a life-saving transplant throughout much of Texas.
Tony is the author of several articles and three books, The Difference Maker, A Simple Fable About Making a Difference in the Life of Others (August 2013), The KingMaker, A Leadership Story of Integrity and Purpose (June 2016) and The Newsmaker, A leadership Story of Honor and Love (February 2018), The Changemaker, A Leadership Story of Courage and Character (April 2019), and Saturday Morning Tea, The Power of Story to Change Everything
He currently resides with his family in Dallas, TX.
He currently serves as Chief People Officer for RYAN LLC, a global leader in the tax services industry. His focus, as head of the global human resource practice, is on enhancing, communicating, and driving RYAN'S award-winning culture to support the firm’s strategic vision while also gaining greater competitive advantage by attracting developing, and retaining the most talented tax professionals in the industry.
His previous roles include Senior Partner for the global consulting firm, Partners in Leadership, where he worked with some of the top organizations around the world helping maximize their cultures to exceed business objective and deliver greater shareholder value, as well as former SVP, CPO for Brinker International, where Mr. Bridwell led a global team of more than 60,000 people. His work transforming the Brinker culture to the next level garnered him the highest recognition from his peers in the industry. In fact, he was selected as the 2015 HR Executive of the Year by Dallas HR (the local SHRM affiliate) and won the 2015 Strategic Leadership Award from Strategic Excellence HR.
In addition to his professional commitments, Tony is dedicated to multiple organizations. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves on the board of directors for Southwest Transplant Alliance, a non-profit organization that serves as the bridge between those who make the decision to donate their organs and those needing a life-saving transplant throughout much of Texas.
Tony is the author of several articles and three books, The Difference Maker, A Simple Fable About Making a Difference in the Life of Others (August 2013), The KingMaker, A Leadership Story of Integrity and Purpose (June 2016) and The Newsmaker, A leadership Story of Honor and Love (February 2018), The Changemaker, A Leadership Story of Courage and Character (April 2019), and Saturday Morning Tea, The Power of Story to Change Everything
He currently resides with his family in Dallas, TX.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 28, 2013
"I was lured into believing that success was about money, power, fame, and pleasure. If those things defined success, then I should have opted for failure. My true success in life came when my focus was on doing what God wanted me to do and investing in the life of others. My only regret is that I wasted so many years chasing the wind when I should have been all in from the start."
The death of Taylor Bellows, one of the wealthiest men in the world, devastates Brendan Austin, his best friend since childhood. But even more than Taylor's death, it's the set of journals he left behind that shakes the foundation of Brendan's life. Brendan and Taylor grew up together, from their days spent having adventures in the woods and pretending to be businessmen in Taylor’s father’s office to their eventual careers and marriages to the lovely Allison and Ann—and to Taylor’s struggles with infidelity. But through it all, Brendan and his wife Ann stood by Taylor and Allison, mentoring and guiding them toward the truth—even as Brendan often felt that Taylor resisted taking his words into his heart.
And now, in reading Taylor's journals, Brendan uncovers things he had never known...about his friend, his life, and his faith. He discovers what it means to be a difference maker.
A conversation starter, an approachable guide—in fable form—for mentors both deliberate and unintentional, The Difference Maker looks at the godly principles of true success, mentorship, leadership, courage, and transformation. The truths are powerful and applicable, in life and in faith, for everyone who reads them. Learn how to lead others while you follow The One.
The death of Taylor Bellows, one of the wealthiest men in the world, devastates Brendan Austin, his best friend since childhood. But even more than Taylor's death, it's the set of journals he left behind that shakes the foundation of Brendan's life. Brendan and Taylor grew up together, from their days spent having adventures in the woods and pretending to be businessmen in Taylor’s father’s office to their eventual careers and marriages to the lovely Allison and Ann—and to Taylor’s struggles with infidelity. But through it all, Brendan and his wife Ann stood by Taylor and Allison, mentoring and guiding them toward the truth—even as Brendan often felt that Taylor resisted taking his words into his heart.
And now, in reading Taylor's journals, Brendan uncovers things he had never known...about his friend, his life, and his faith. He discovers what it means to be a difference maker.
A conversation starter, an approachable guide—in fable form—for mentors both deliberate and unintentional, The Difference Maker looks at the godly principles of true success, mentorship, leadership, courage, and transformation. The truths are powerful and applicable, in life and in faith, for everyone who reads them. Learn how to lead others while you follow The One.
September 16, 2013
Very good read. A great opportunity to reflect on the things that matter most in life and on ---who you are---where you are going---and how are you going to get there. I highly recommend this powerful message
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews