AU grad Christopher Eddy writes 2nd book, 'The Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Song Lyrics'
Because Ashland University graduate Christopher Eddy thought many leadership books were too theory-based and difficult to digest, he wrote his own with a more common theme the average businessperson could relate to better: movie quotes.
Then he decided to publish another one about finding leadership principles in song lyrics.
“The Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Song Lyrics: How the Greatest Songs of All Time Can Teach You How to be a Better Leader!” became available earlier this year in paperback form on Amazon for $8.99.
His first book published in 2017, “The Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Movie Quotes: How the Greatest Films of All Time Can Teach You How to be a Better Leader!” still is available on Amazon, too.
“I always loved movie quotes and using them in conversations became an art form in college and in my 20s,” said Eddy, who earned his doctorate degree in leadership from Walden University, an online college headquartered in Minneapolis. “After that book took off, my friends said they would like me to do another one but focused on the soundtrack of our lives.”
Research for the most recent book involved looking at a lot of song lyrics, spanning all generations from the 1930s through today, said Eddy, who graduated from AU in 1986 as the outstanding graduate of Ashland’s School of Economics, Business and Radio/TV.
“I wanted the book to be for general audiences, so there are no lyrics included which have bad language,” Eddy said.
One of his 13-year-old daughter’s favorite songs, “Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon, with its famous lyric, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” that Eddy said resonates with many people who find themselves wondering where to go next in their lives, is included in the book.
“I also had to incorporate one of my (17-year-old) son’s (lyric) requests, ‘Real G’s move in silence like lasagna’ from Lil Wayne,” said Eddy, who now lives in the Miami area with his two children and wife of 20 years. “My son helped explain to me that you don’t have to brag about your accomplishments as a leader.”
That and lyrics from other rappers like Jay-Z’s “A man that don’t take care of his family can’t be rich” were eye-openers to Eddy during his research in that many people think of rappers as owning luxury cars, houses and jewelry, but many of them know life is about more than that, he said.
While the song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” from the Righteous Brothers seems to just be a simple love song, Eddy said it can be interpreted by leaders as to not take employees or any relationship for granted.
“I’ve had people tell me they use the books as references in their own speeches and talks, whether it’s to a small group of employees or larger conferences,” Eddy said. “It’s impossible to read this (newest book) without humming a song and reminiscing about the time you first heard it.”
During 30-plus years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eddy spent time with many leaders.
As a junior at Ashland, Eddy, who is originally from Olean, New York, joined the ROTC through an agreement with Akron and Bowling Green Universities so he could also attend classes at those colleges.
While he is retired from the military and FBI, Eddy remains busy as an adjunct professor for several universities teaching national security, intelligence, foreign policy and, of course, leadership principles. He’s also a city commissioner in Weston, Florida, and often returns to the Ashland campus, sometimes twice a year for radio/TV or fraternity functions.
Because Eddy said he tends to have a lot of things going on, he worked on his books sporadically when he found some time.
Is there time for a third book?
“I need a break,” Eddy said. “I’m running for U.S. Congress and that occupies all of my time now.”