Derrick Mueller: Reviews

Have you ever had the fortune of meeting an extraordinary person, someone who can simplify the seemingly complicated with a discerning and insightful outlook on life? I have, and I’d like to introduce you to him. Meet Derrick Mueller, he is an author, an ordained minister, a teacher, an actor, an artist, a communications specialist, a leadership consultant, a CEO, an entrepreneur, a husband and a father. (Imagine squeezing all that onto one business card!) Most importantly, at the core of these many titles, is his one true designation: creator. Everything he has done has been out of a desire to create and to use his creativity with the purpose of making a positive difference in other people’s lives. He has spent his life creating hope and change for others in ways that are never short of innovative. more...

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What follows is a introduction delivered by Dale Pilgrim at a Salvation Army Mens conference before I was about to speak. It was so original I asked for a copy. You never really know what people are going to say about you and what impressions you will make on them.

I have the distinct privilege of trying to introduce someone to you who defies generic introductions. Derrick Mueller is an eccentric person who will splash your world with colour and energy. He is a display of God’s fascinating ability to meld professionalism with commonality; a person who can dine with finery and drive a baseball with the guys.

This leadership and organizational consultant, motivational speaker, trainer, professor, humorist, abstract artist and author is unconventional in his story and interactions with people. His story is not mine to tell but I’ll share my story of my first encounter with Derrick. It was a men’s breakfast for our church where he was our guest speaker. I gave Derrick the usual honorarium that we give our guests and pushed a receipt in front of him. I needed his signature for our book-keeper’s records. Derrick passed the receipt back to me with a cartoon caricature on the signature line! My first thought was, “how am I going to validate this with the accountants? I’ve got a receipt with a cartoon face! The guy drew a picture on it!” This mild unconventional illustration is a metaphor for the man you will experience in an unconventional way during this weekend, of that I have no doubt!

I am fascinated at Derrick’s ability to mix his professional development in communication, counselling, administration and organizational leadership with passion. My second experience with Derrick that exposed his passion was at a Leaders’ breakfast for the Kitchener-Waterloo area. (You’ll notice both involved food!) His passion was infectious and riveting. I recall feeling awed by the mystery of God’s presence when we think He’s nowhere near. My faith in God’s redemptive work always playing out in our realities was renewed as my spirit rejoiced to know the value one life has to Him and how he saved that life of Derrick Mueller.

Dr. Mueller is a personal coach to CEOs, executives and small business owners across Canada. His writings on leadership, coaching, change and cultural dynamics are not hard to find. I experienced his coaching dynamic in my third encounter with him – you guessed it – was a lunch meeting where I wanted to give Derrick a copy of my book. If you’d like yours you can speak with me because I have copies or go online to…. Just kidding! Though, you can have a book if you’d like!

His audiences are always intrigued by his effervescent approach to life, situations and people. His comedy prowess will be a treat for us on Saturday night.

In all Derrick’s professionalism, interactions, coaching and living, he is serious, in a fun-off-the-wall-embrace-laughter-and-life sort of way, about being a follower of Jesus. Derrick showed me through his current situations and life decisions he was making that when God calls him to some thing or some place Derrick doesn’t fool around. He hears it and acts on it.

Gentlemen, I present to you a man who is unconventional, full of passion, coaches on God’s team and follows hard after Jesus. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll reflect in quietness as you ponder the great arm of God.

Please say hello to DR. DERRICK MUELLER.

BOOK FORWARD- The Amaryllis Way-Growing Leaders Who Grow Leaders By Jim Brown

Strolling through the leadership section of any major bookstore, I notice a curious shortfall. There are volumes and volumes of books on leadership, but few on caring for people as leaders. This deficit is perplexing, because leadership, I believe, is about supporting and mobilizing people to achieve goals.

It used to be that a job was all about the paycheck. People were happy just to have employment, but today we’re looking for purpose, validation, and significance. It’s more than work; it’s an identification of who we are. I’m not saying the paycheck is unimportant—I’m saying that recognition for our individual contributions is essential. When companies concentrate on marketing and profits of their products without giving attention to those who make it happen, they not only hinder future productivity but sabotage morale and effectiveness. Great companies and organizations are those that give attention to their people, believing them to be diamonds in the rough.

This is why The Amaryllis Way is such an important book. It presents people as diamonds in the rough, as flower bulbs becoming blossoming plants. The book identifies that people—whether paid or unpaid, in the corporate world or non-profit—will grow and bear fruit if they are growing on the inside. We all benefit when someone believes in us and helps us express the best that is inside us.
I love how Derrick has related the concept of gardening to leaders who are active in coaching and mentoring those under their leadership. And he goes beyond the gardening metaphor in The Amaryllis Way to explain the different meanings of the word and identify a philosophy of leadership. The Amaryllis Way is about seeing the potential, guiding the individual as a shepherd does his sheep, with an attitude of love. It is about leaders developing leaders who develop leaders. The eight ‘P’s of growing people: picture, plan, plow, plant, protect, prune, pollinate, and propagate are memorable and meaningful. They not only depict the different processes of gardening, they condense a textbook full of leadership theory into eight powerful words.

For over a decade Derrick has been helping people in businesses, communities, non-profits, and churches realize the potential they have in each other. He is a coach and mentor to leaders. If we learn only one thing through Derrick’s writing, it’s that we can make a difference. A great leader sees the hidden potential of everyone in the organization. The Amaryllis Way is a delightful story about a coach who intentionally nurtures people, with a life-changing impact, spanning many years.

I recommend this book to anyone in leadership, anyone who is part of a team, anyone who works with people in any capacity—whether as executives, managers, teachers, clergy, or community members. It’s a book of hope and possibility. It’s simple but revolutionary, profound in its simplicity.

Derrick is fueled by a passion to see people succeed. He truly is a gardener of people, a coach, mentor, and teacher who models what he believes.

Jim Brown is the
Founding Partner of Strive!
Author of “The Imperfect Board Member-
Discovering the Seven Disciplines of Governance Excellence”
2008

Not a few young people eagerly agree to serve under luminary leaders hoping to be mentored and developed. Far too many end up damaged and disillusioned after a few years of exploitation and neglect. Derrick Mueller’s narrative convicts and calls leaders to a higher way –in which true leadership is validated through reproductive cultivation of a new leadership generation. As a product and steward of biblical leadership development, I affirm and applaud The Amaryllis Way.

Ralph E. Enlow, Jr. Executive Director of ABHE
Association for Biblical Higher Education

The highest purpose of a leader is to fully participate in the transformational journey of others. In the Amaryllis Way, Derrick provides an intentional approach to growing our own leadership skills, and to creating and protecting a challenging and safe environment for positive change. For leaders who desire to create a legacy of well-developed people who are planted in the convergence of their skill, passions and purpose… this is a reflective and insightful tool.

A modern day parable and a timeless truth. The Amaryllis Way is a call for leaders to return to a relational model of leadership. I believe that the next generation of leaders will more readily embrace a leadership model that is fluid and relational, and will bring much needed change in our culture and structures. Leaders who cling to cold, institutional models prevalent in the past couple decades will need to shift to a fresh but enduring model of growth if they desire to be effective in our Post Modern world. Derrick Mueller has written a narrative that addresses this need. Whether in a business, organization, or church I believe this book taps into longings of every leader… to be loved, valued, mentored, and taught not only to be successful and effective, but also how to shepherd others to do the same.”

A success story of deep self reflection through the philosophy of the “The Amaryllis Way”. A true approach to leadership which builds sustainable relationships and leaders through empowerment. The Amaryllis process takes people development to the next passionate level, and plays a key role, not only in the workplace, but in our personal lives. Dr. Mueller demonstrates an effective and proven approach to believing in the potential of people through emphasizing the positive. Thank you Derrick, for providing such a strong foundation!
Ryan Wilkinson, Manager, Skills Development and Coaching Implementer of the Amaryllis Way in his corporate setting

Scott Bridger Director of Sales, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
President of Cambridge Big Brothers/Big Sisters

I have had the pleasure of meeting Derrick on several occasions as well as hearing him speak at several local business functions. The book “The Amaryllis Way” was as inspirational and entertaining as his incredible ability to communicate to his audience. Entrenched in the Waterloo Region business community the book has helped me overcome many personal issues and has assisted in my guidance to become a better leader in our community. The stories inside are enlightening and hope you enjoy the book. Great job Derrick well done!!

A heartwarming tale of wisdom and practicality that will help any leader bring out the best in their people. I love Dr. D’s focus on leaders helping other leaders be the best they can be. Every leader needs a mentor because running the business is simple—it’s the people that are complicated!

John Kuypers, Chief Builder, Performance Shift Organization Builders
Author of “What’s Important Now “and “The Non-Judgmental Christian”

Using a captivating contemporary parable, The Amaryllis Way gives us insight and practical tools for growing as individuals, leaders, and increasing our influence in ever enlarging circles. Because life is all about relationships, this inspiring book is for anyone who wants to improve the way they relate, serve, lead, live, and have a desire to make a difference. I highly recommend it.

David Arrol Macfarlane, Director, National Initiatives, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

This book addresses one of the deficiencies by way of resources and literature on the subject of human relations perspectives, priorities, and processes toward maximum leadership impact. Given the fact that leadership is not about what we do so much as it is about what we equip and enable others to do this book is a must read for any leader across the span of not for profit, for profit, service and ministry contexts. The eight step model developed in “The Amaryllis Way” serves as a readily applied process to produce thoughtful, continuous, and transformational development of people in contexts where it is applied.
Derrick has wisely used the growth metaphor as the foundation for his work. The narrative style makes this an easy read as well as a profitable read. It will be a very beneficial resource for all of us as we think about how to live out a developmental attitude toward those we influence and lead. Thanks Derrick, for making this resource available to us.

Dr. Paul Magnus, Professor, RJ Bernardo Chair of Leadership
Tyndale College and Seminary Coach/Consultant/Facilitator

Derrick Mueller’s The Amaryllis Way is at once simple, profound, and delightful. It is simple in the sense that it reaches out to a wide readership without having been “dumbed down.” It is profound in that it is based on the sound principles of positive reinforcement, but not manipulation. And his setting of the whole book in the format of a very winsome leadership parable makes it delightful. Transferring The Amaryllis Principle into effective leadership behaviour is enhanced by careful consideration of the final section on “Reflection Questions.”

G. Rowland Phare, President (retired)
G.R. Phare & Assoc., Inc., Consultants to Management.

At last a book that clearly outlines the critical and essential tools that will transform you into becoming an effective and accomplished leader. The Amaryllis Way is an easy read offering profound and practical principles that will revolutionize your approach and understanding of how to lead effectively, encouraging you to embrace your leadership role with confidence, empowerment, and passion. This is an essential resource for leaders in any capacity who strive to be leaders who influence people, nurturing them to nurture others.
At last a book that clearly outlines the critical and essential tools that will transform you into becoming an effective and accomplished leader. The Amaryllis Way is an easy read offering profound and practical principles that will revolutionize your approach and understanding of how to lead effectively, encouraging you to embrace your leadership role with confidence, empowerment, and passion. This is an essential resource for leaders in any capacity who strive to be leaders who influence people, nurturing them to nurture others.

John Vos; Administrator
Sunbeam Lodge, Kitchener, Ontario

The Amaryllis Way is a modern parable with poignant meaning and application for the field and study of human resource development. Derrick’s narrative approach applies horticultural principles to the process of developing leaders.
Developing leaders is a process that must nurture others to their maximum potential. The author has wisely recognized that, “Growing is the process of nurturing people who nurture people.” Jesus fondly referred to His heavenly Father as the true Gardener. Throughout this book the reader will affectionately and allegorically see the eternal truths of the Gardener at work.
Those who are intent on mentoring and coaching others will mine a wealth of nuggets from this author who has learned to be a leadership gardener. Thanks Derrick for imparting such rich meaning into the files of leadership development.
David Schrader, National Pastor (CCCC)Congregational Christian Churches in Canada

Leadership books come in all forms today, but some of the best are stories that convey important truths. Derrick Mueller combines his loves for gardening and leadership development in a compelling story about how leaders train other leaders. His eight step methodology outlined in "The Amaryllis Way" provides a beautiful picture of the heart of leadership. Read it and evaluate your own method of reproducing leaders -- one the greatest needs in the society today.

Marvin Brubacher President, Heritage College & Seminary

Dear Derrick,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with others.
 "I would describe Derrick as a character with character. The first part of this description accounts for the fact that Derrick does not pattern himself after the crowd but stands out as a unique individual in personality, perception and practice.The second part of this description accounts for the fact that Derrick possess the interpersonal skills that make him an effective communicator of a different way of seeing the world. Perhaps all this goes without saying for someone who mixes comedy and business skills but Derrick does make this combination work."

Personal recommendation and insight.
“I had an opportunity to work with Derrick on a Board of Directors for a year. He was clearly organized, respectful and forward thinking in the challenges he presented to the Board. He demonstrated a strong working platform within a positive and ethical framework. As well, I value the time we spent outside of the organization discussing and consulting with each other around the topic of mentoring and its impact on leadership. All in all, it was exciting and challenging working with Derrick through the issues of the day.” April 19, 2011

Recommendation:
“Derrick is a visionary leader. He sets big goals and he goes after them with courage, discipline and enthusiasm. His book captures not only a sensible leadership model, but it captures Derrick's heart for people and progress. He is a dynamic speaker on both faith and business matters. He has a great sense of humour, is a tremendous family man and a loyal friend. A+”

“Derrick is a pleasure to work with. I have know him for 6 years having worked with him in his position as President at Emmanuel Bible College to now as President at Thisway Communications. I have also seen him present a number of times and was always very entertained.”

“I had the pleasure of working in many capacities with Derrick over the space of several years. Derrick is creative, a visionary, an energetic risk taker and a leader. He has proven to possess these qualities over and over through the years. He is great to work with and will always produce the results required to meet any objective. I would be happy to work with Derrick embarking on any new project or making refinements to the current state of affairs. I regard his capabilities highly.”

On behalf of the organizing committee I am expressing our appreciation for having Derrick speak at our 17th Community Prayer breakfast. God has blessed you with an incredible talent to present the gospel message in a unique manner that gets our attention and also effectively challenges us to grow our faith through our daily living. Thank you for impressing upon each person present at the breakfast that "prayer changes lives", that the God who changed your life is the same God who can impact and change our lives in the same dramatic way.

Thank you for a great show you did last night at Aylmer Evangelical Missionary Church. I haven't laughed like that for as long as I did for a long time.

Our kids will always remember how INCREDIBLE God is, and all about Jonah. Thanks for influencing so many.

A comedic yet heart-warming and realistic view of everyday life….combined with a powerful testimony of God’s ability to turn tragedy to triumph.

Derrick's show is sure to entertain, educate and expand one's horizons. Also, the present Canadian church should deeply consider what Derrick is doing as Christian comedy is very timely, and not a bit subversive (in a very good way!). That is, in a day when the typical picture of an evangelical is that of a scowling fanatic, When I Look Back I Laugh challenges these stereotypes with its very human and very humourous message. Derrick is a constant showman. Even those who have seen the show will no doubt be surprised by some new story or insight that he injects into it.