About the book

The pigs are running the farm.

So begins the story of Farmer Able. Everyone on his farm—people and animals alike—are downright downtrodden by him. He’s overbearing and compulsively obsessed with profits and productivity. He’s a typical top-down, power-based manager, forever tallying production numbers in his well-worn ledgers. But the more he pushes the hoofs and horns and humans, the more they dig in their heels. That is until one day when he hears a mysterious wind that whispers, “It’s not all about me.” Can he turn things around and begin attending to the needs of those on his farm, thus improving their attitudes and productivity?

Farmer Able is an engaging parable that entertains as it enlightens. It reveals a profound truth about the dysfunction in organizations and how dramatic improvements can be made when leaders liberate employees to operate at their fullest potential and discover the significance in their work.

 
 
 

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Praise for Farmer Able

“Read this lovely parable and you’ll see how servant leadership pays off for everyone—Including the one doing the leading. When you make the conscious decision as a leader to serve rather than be served, you’ll be amazed at what happens.”
— Ken Blanchard, Co-author of the One Minute Manager and Leading at a Higher Level
“Art barter has crafted this entertaining parable that inspires us to seek the way of the servant; to find the courageous leader in all of us.”
— Olivia McIvor, bestselling author of turning compassion into action, the business of kindness and four generations—one workplace and an advocate For compassionate leadership globally
“The story is uplifting and inspirational and left me with joy and hope that we can change and make ourselves, our families, our businesses and all who we come into contact with better.”
— N. Christian stokes, v.P. Business development, victoria mutual building society; president, jamaican bobsled federation; four-time olympic competitor; author, cool runnings and beyond
“Art Barter is one of the truly great servant leaders in the world. As one who gets results in a way that inspires trust, Art genuinely models what he teaches. He’s wonderfully captured his insightful approach to leadership in this fun and terrific book. A delightful read.”
— Stephen M. R. Covey, The New York Times and # 1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed Of Trust and Smart Trust
“Farmer able is a book you can read in an afternoon, but talk about for weeks to come.”
— Devin vodicka, ed.D., Superintendent of schools, vista unified school district

Buy your copy now!

If you’re looking to develop a new and profoundly satisfying leadership style, one that advocates serving others and creating ethical, engaging workplaces and innovative environments, this book will set you on your way. If you are tired of “business as usual,” this lively story will get you thinking about how to inspire your employees and produce better results.

Through Farmer Able, Art Barter challenges us to seek not just success, but significance in our careers.  The story is deceptively simple and yet it will cause you to think deeply about the way you have been leading and how you want to lead in the future.  This is a book you’ll want to share with your entire team. To quote one of our endorsers, “you can read it in an afternoon but the conversations it inspires will last for weeks.”