An Interview with Thomas Snee

In this interview, Thomas Snee revealed his three books and the messages they convey. “What’s Up, Life” is an exploration of life lessons on personal growth, offering valuable advice to those seeking a better understanding of themselves and their place in the world. “You Raise Me Up” encourages readers to look within and find strength in challenging times, providing hope for personal transformation. Finally, “Leadership: Reaching Out, Pulling up, Holding On, To Stand Strong Together” looks at how leadership can bring individuals together while inspiring them to take action. Through these works, Thomas has aimed to inspire others with meaningful learning experiences that will help them realize their potential.

The message behind each of these titles has resonated deeply with Thomas, which makes them his favorites. He hopes readers will take away something positive from each book that will help them take control of their life and make a difference in the world. Ultimately, Thomas’s aim is to provide meaningful knowledge and guidance to create a better tomorrow for everyone.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

I have written three books. They are: “What’s Up, Life;” “You Raise Me Up;” “Leadership: Reaching Out, Pulling up, Holding On, To Stand Strong Together.” As for my favorite, they all have given me the confidence and gratitude knowing I delivered some of the same back to my readers. Book #1, “What’s Up, Life”, are reflective quotes, ideas, for people to read, take account and hopefully create a difference in their day. Book #2, “You Raise Me Up”, was a tribute to my wife after she passed away. I desired to give back, hope, assurances for others in the same position of loss. I desired to give those mourning a way to sit back and know that many others have and going through his sorrow. Book #3 “Leadership: Reaching Out, Pulling up, Holding On, To Stand Strong Together”, is my favorite because of its content and delivery for others. The world has many courses, lectures, and seminars, on the subject, of LEADERSHIP or the ‘how to.’ In this book, I accepted the baseline that everyone has had some variety of leadership training, instruction, introduction, and perhaps just need a springboard of ideas and labels from others. I just desired to keep it simple and impressionable to add to those who may read this to take another view on the subject. By nature, we are all leaders. We can all use that ‘quick-look’ of how others have grasped the basics of their leadership. Just another path to offer, and look from another’s perspective.

What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

The section I called ‘Distractors.’ This was the only ‘negative’ part in the entire book. Thoughts here are what goes on in real life and need to be addressed as a ‘flag’ in our daily lives. We all have to be able to identify these distractors and know how to cope and move on. To identify and put in their place, either as persons or in thought, was necessary to give an understanding that we all experience at some juncture. Like the fork in the road, we just need to know how to work around it, positively, and how to deal with it without hurting others. ‘Praise in public, reprimand in private.’

What part of the book was the most fun to write?

Empowerment! ‘Empowerment and Trust are the cornerstones of Leadership in the gratification, observance when others master those traits. The sharing and receiving of ideas, through actions, values and determination is the best WOW one can see. Not always perfect, just simply those mannerisms of other’s accomplishments in an intrinsic approach to celebrate that ‘one moment in time.’ These capstones align from a well guided mentoring and coaching techniques. Leaders should applaud positive steps made by co-workers.

Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?

In this book the character I relate to the most are all of the quotes. As for one person, perhaps George Mason; a Statesman and Writer from Virginia. A quiet, inspiring, common sense approach type of person, who lived in challenging times. His views of the country’s early days were an opportunity, to take a stance that laws, ‘rights’ are ok, but need well defined guarantees. If nothing else, they are just words on a piece of paper. Yes, George Washington sent him back to Virginia, but later recalled Mr. Mason as the catalyst of good will and a productive course on behalf of an infant nation. He was a widower, had many children, farmer, statesman, all combined of given qualities to moving forward for the success, and guarantees of its citizens. A humble role model beyond.

If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

I would not say a sequel, but rather a continuation of my principles of character, to find the best in all, while recognizing human dignities. In my next book I would like to explore the inner self of young boys, in the 11-13 age or middle school ages. So much is expected from them socially, academically, sports, and much more. They moreover just want to be listened to. ‘Inspire me of what you know.’ Book title, ‘The Boy in the Corner.’

What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?

The character of the book has always been how to give reference to a daily challenge of leading and guiding people. I have tried to create that premise, not a how to, but rather, here is more to consider. There are some criterions that we all have in place, but sometimes could always enjoy some extra ‘pieces’ of encouragement from others.

What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this work?

In all humility, I am not the subject matter expert (SME) or expert on these. Growth through learning has always been my forte’ to progress. When one places themselves as the pinnacle, then all learning and observation of behaviors is lost.

What inspired the idea for your book?

Many friends, fellow educators, students, leaders, and other professionals who over the years have coached, inspired, and mentored me to ‘put to print’ a collection of ideas and experiences of how to lead. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude. Life is a defined choice we make.” Like me, many are searching for innovative ideas to enhance their morale fiber to be a great inspiring, and motivating leader for others, regardless of age, academic acumen, or position. Inspiration is like a football game; the ball may be all over the field, but it is the chains that give a reference to score.

How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?

One should not be afraid of risks, or challenges to motivate, and step up to witness progress. The ideal reader should advance forward and be ready to project their 3-T’s: Time, Talents, & Treasurers. Another attribute is one who recognizes and absorbs another’s attributes. Consider this thought:

CPO: Caring, Personable, Optimistic!

“As a leader, you should be willing to place the needs of others above yours. When called to lead, ensure that your people are inspired, motivated, and be ready to influence and make a difference daily. That is leadership; that is what leaders do; they learn from others.”

How much research did you need to do for your book?

Formal research none. I read, listened to others, and asked questions. I am one who attempts to take in materials, courses, seminars, and alike, but when I leave the room I would ask, ‘what else is there to know’? So, I decided to search and find out from other opportunities, in thoughts, quotes, stories, and experiences. This I put in this book under the LEADERSHIP Headers. From there, it was just a discipline to place the correct motive and thought under those headers.

How important was professional editing to your book’s development?

Professional editing was more of a steady course of thought processing and acceptance from the professionals for this book. I was not looking for another lecture, but advice and direction to make another spark, and give a quality product to any reader. St. Thomas Aquinas once said, ‘We need to listen before accessing. Less preaching and more teaching.’

What was your hardest scene to write, and why?

There really was no hard scene, but a thought of congruency in optimism of mind and spirit. Putting together these ideas et all, to create a total composite of thought was the hardest. I did not want to explain or direct Leadership, just make a commitment to an already intriguing, engrained lifestyle for the reader.

What characters in your book are most similar to you or to people you know?

As for being similar, I would have to say, that they all were and had distinctive influences from their many attributes, desk-plates to meet a common denominator, which was and is, to inspire positive resourceful actions, to make progress; take notice of others, and enjoy the moment of success.

How long did it take you to write this book?

A little over a year. Once the thoughts, ideas, and examples came to be, it was hard to stop, and go to print. There are still many fine persons who exemplify the qualities of fine leadership, which could never be put in this book; I decided to take what was at hand.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

The title reflected my past and the influences of others to reach out and give a hand to equity and equality to achieve and attain the same pinnacle of life. Once you reach out, it becomes a very firmed connection of absolute total success. Share the experience, dwell on the accomplishments, making it a WE rather than I.

Would you and your main character get along?

I would hope. All of these fine persons are on the same plain, provocative mindsets to collectively form a Ven diagram in a connection that enables others to observe and witness their absolute best character to achieve results. GOALS can be set but achieving each step to those goals is paramount. If GOALS are not achieved, then reexamine each of the steps.

If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?

THANK YOU for this moment in time! The characters are the finest, and of the same vein with a monumental value who shared their mindset and experiences. They predicted a defined path towards a more progressive and invigorating segment of life.