While hiking in 2010, an ill-advised, off-trail climb left debut author K. Bradley Watson dangling precariously over the edge of a cliff. Narrowly escaping disaster, Watson then found himself lost in the woods, bushwhacking for hours before he found his way out of a dense canyon forest. The haphazard hiking moment became an epiphany for him, underscoring the importance of following trails. As in hiking, so it is in life and faith: to find our way, we need the direction of a path to guide us. In A Path Called Compelling, Watson reimagines the Christian faith as the Jesus Path, where three key events from Jesus's life (birth, baptism, temptations) are revealed to be more than events to believe in, but a path meant to be entered, travelled, and lived. Acting as an expedition guide, raconteur, and pastor, Watson weaves masterful storytelling with thoughtful reflections on Scripture that will have readers chuckling to themselves in one moment while readying themselves to travel the Jesus Path in the next. Fresh and urgent, the book invites readers to rediscover faith as they walk and explore A Path Called Compelling.

Required reading at Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School. Everyone wants to be more appealing and effective, but few believe we can manage the personal magnetism of a Bill Clinton or an Oprah Winfrey. John Neffinger and Matthew Kohut trace the path to influence through a balance of strength (the root of respect) and warmth (the root of affection). Each seems simple, but only a few of us figure out the tricky task of projecting both at once. Drawing on cutting-edge social science research as well as their own work with Fortune 500 executives, members of Congress, TED speakers, and Nobel Prize winners, Neffinger and Kohut reveal how we size each other up—and how we can learn to win the admiration, respect, and affection we desire.

"Caitlin Walker has spent 15 years working with diverse groups from disaffected teenagers to senior leaders in business and education. Along the way she developed Systemic Modelling, a methodology for encouraging groups to move away from drama and towards collective trust. This book tells of her journey through a series of authentic and ground-breaking case-studies. In it you'll learn how she creates the contexts for groups to make the most of one another's expertise and experience and to begin to collaborate in new and emergent ways."

An exploration of how altruism affects us, what are the markers for success, and how to avoid the pitfalls—with scrupulous research and on-the-ground reporting from the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists and bestselling authors of Half a Sky and Tightrope Kristof and WuDunn will inspire you to "change lives for the better, including your own (The New York Times Book Review). In their recounting of astonishing stories from the front lines of social progress, we see the compelling, inspiring truth of how real people have changed the world, underscoring that one person can make a difference. A Path Appears offers practical, results-driven advice on how best each of us can give and reveals the lasting benefits we gain in return. Kristof and WuDunn know better than most how many urgent challenges communities around the world face to­day. Here they offer a timely beacon of hope for our collective future.

By age 25, Heather Anderson had hiked what is known as the "Triple Crown" of backpacking: the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT)—a combined distance of 7,900 miles with a vertical gain of more than one million feet. A few years later, she left her job, her marriage, and a dissatisfied life and walked back into those mountains. In her new memoir, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, Heather, whose trail name is "Anish," conveys not only her athleticism and wilderness adventures, but also shares her distinct message of courage--her willingness to turn away from the predictability of a more traditional life in an effort to seek out what most fulfills her. Amid the rigors of the trail--pain, fear, loneliness, and dangers--she discovers the greater rewards of community and of self, conquering her doubts and building confidence. Ultimately, she realizes that records are merely a catalyst, giving her purpose, focus, and a goal to strive toward. Heather is the second woman to complete the “Double Triple Crown of Backpacking,” completing the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails twice each. She holds overall self-supported Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on the Pacific Crest Trail (2013)—hiking it in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes, breaking the previous men’s record by four days and becoming the first women to hold the overall record—and the Arizona Trail (2016), which she completed in 19 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes. She also holds the women’s self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail (2015) with a time of 54 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes. Heather has hiked more than twenty thousand miles since 2003, including ten thru-hikes. An ultramarathon runner, she has completed six 100-mile races since August 2011 as well as dozens of 50 km and 50-mile events. She has attempted the infamous Barkley Marathons four times, starting a third loop once. Heather is also an avid mountaineer working on several ascent lists in the US and abroad.

A logical problem-based introduction to the use of GeoGebra for mathematical modeling and problem solving within various areas of mathematics A well-organized guide to mathematical modeling techniques for evaluating and solving problems in the diverse field of mathematics, Mathematical Modeling: Applications with GeoGebra presents a unique approach to software applications in GeoGebra and WolframAlpha. The software is well suited for modeling problems in numerous areas of mathematics including algebra, symbolic algebra, dynamic geometry, three-dimensional geometry, and statistics. Featuring detailed information on how GeoGebra can be used as a guide to mathematical modeling, the book provides comprehensive modeling examples that correspond to different levels of mathematical experience, from simple linear relations to differential equations. Each chapter builds on the previous chapter with practical examples in order to illustrate the mathematical modeling skills necessary for problem solving. Addressing methods for evaluating models including relative error, correlation, square sum of errors, regression, and confidence interval, Mathematical Modeling: Applications with GeoGebra also includes: Over 400 diagrams and 300 GeoGebra examples with practical approaches to mathematical modeling that help the reader develop a full understanding of the content Numerous real-world exercises with solutions to help readers learn mathematical modeling techniques A companion website with GeoGebra constructions and screencasts Mathematical Modeling: Applications with GeoGebrais ideal for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses in mathematical modeling, applied mathematics, modeling and simulation, operations research, and optimization. The book is also an excellent reference for undergraduate and high school instructors in mathematics.

Research clearly indicates that there is a strong need for the Human Resources (HR) function, and the people in it, to adopt a more strategic and business-linked approach. In one study business executives ranked the HR function as third, after sales and customer service, as a function that makes a very significant contribution to a company's bottom line. Unfortunately research also indicates that few HR functions have become strategic. Most still operate in a primarily administrative and tactical manner—the very work that is increasingly being outsourced. Clearly there is a gap between what business leaders and employees need from their HR departments and what HR is providing. HR functions must become more integrated into the business, with some people on the HR team assuming the role of Strategic Business Partner (SBP). Here, Dana and Jim Robinson offer guidance for HR, Organization Development and Learning professionals who aspire to transform themselves into effective Strategic Business Partners. They explain how SBPs build partnerships, based upon credibility and trust, with key organization leaders. These partnerships provide SBPs with opportunities to identify and support projects directly aligned with business goals. The success of these projects deepens the SBPs' credibility, enabling them to be viewed as strategic partners. At this higher level of accountability, SBPs work with business leaders to form long-range business strategies and plans, creating and implementing people initiatives that link into and support the business strategies and plans. This practical guide offers case studies, exercises, tips, and tools you can use to become a Strategic Business Partner in your organization.