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Twist the Familiar: The Leadership Book for When the Familiar Stops Working

Amazon #1 Top New Release in its business category

Twist the Familiar™ is the leadership book Gary Hernbroth set out to write with one simple goal: “I want to write a book that helps people in real ways.” Published in July 2024 by ALIVE Book Publishing, it delivers exactly that. It’s packed with short, quickhitting stories that double as coaching lessons — giving readers practical tools they can use immediately. 

Gary designed the book with intention: every chapter helps readers build their own playbook for success as they move through the stories. It’s a transformative resource for business leaders, sales professionals, entrepreneurs, emerging talent, and anyone who wants to find their extra gear. Simply put, Twist the Familiar™ helps readers create more success for themselves and others. Many call it the perfect “evergreen book” — one they keep close, reference often, and share with their teams, colleagues, and customers.

Barnes & Noble promoted Twist the Familiar alongside other leading business books

When Hall of Fame football coach Bob Ladouceur read an advance copy, he was so moved that he offered to write the foreword. “It transforms. It’s hard to put down,” he says. “It’s so easy to understand, and it just flows. It’s straightforward, common sense!”

The book weaves together stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things — movie theatre ushers, a thoroughbred jockey, a Super Bowl champion head coach, even The Beatles. Each story shows how people twist the familiar to create authentic success through real-world storytelling that sticks, and stand out from the crowd. Ending after comma needs work

Readers love the variety: humorous moments, serious reflections, and thought-provoking lessons drawn from places like Pebble Beach, Pearl Harbour, Valley Forge, hospitality businesses, football training camps, golf courses, an ICU, a Civil War battlefield, and a U.S. Army base. Gary blends his own experiences with generous contributions from others across essential business topics.

You’re invited to dive in and enjoy the journey — no matter your role or stage of life. After all, everyone can use a bit of twisting the familiar now and then.

The catchy title spikes curiosity from readers at book singing events

Why Twist the Familiar Stands Out Among Business Leadership Books

Most business leadership books lean on theory. Twist the Familiar takes a different approach: sixty-one short, real stories drawn from the worlds of sports, hospitality, history, business, schools, and travel, from a Civil War battlefield to a Super Bowl-winning locker room. Each one is built to double as a coaching lesson. It’s less a book you read once and more a playbook you keep coming back to.

Bring the Book to Life for Your Team

Organizations are using Twist the Familiar™ as a springboard for customized workshops, leadership sessions, and team development programs with Gary. The stories and lessons in the book become the foundation for:
  • Leadership retreats
  • Sales team training
  • Culture-building sessions
  • Communication and performance workshops
  • Case studies for team discussions
  • Followup coaching for deeper application
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Order your copy today, wherever books are sold!

Also available via:

Barnes & Noble/ eBook
Amazon & Kindle

Reader’s Reviews

I am always in search of new ideas to spark my imagination and need for constant improvement. Author Gary Hernbroth exceeds all expectations with his collection of enjoyable stories that turn the good into great, the ordinary into the extraordinary, and the somewhat forgettable into the lifetime memorable… I highly recommend.

Twist the Familiar is full of valuable lessons written in easily digestible and entertaining stories… The author has a gift at weaving in quotes or anecdotes to keep the reader engaged and turning the page… Highly recommend!
This book provides valuable lessons in a vignette storytelling manner that will work as your playbook for success regardless of industry or profession… This common-sense type of coaching was refreshing to read and the unique stories kept the pages turning! 5 Stars!!
This book is relevant for anyone in business! Stories that everyone can relate to in one way or another… highly recommend! Everyone has something to learn from this terrific book!!!
A true masterpiece; I loved, loved, loved this book!
Treasure trove of ideas, brilliant insights, a library of business and leadership knowledge, thought-provoking and entertaining as well…A unique element is that (Gary) wrote the book by actually having a conversation with the reader, which was enjoyable and made it easy to read and comprehend, while providing his own refreshing style.
Every so often you run across a book that you cannot put down until you have finished reading it, becoming absorbed in it from cover to cover. Gary has turned a collection of important stories into a page-turning book which I can highly recommend to anyone who is open to deep introspection through memorable lessons for their business and personal life.
Twist the Familiar is a treasure; a collection of sixty-one little gems filled with wisdom and insight that will have you re-examining your business practices, and, by extension, life itself.
Gary Hernbroth wrote one of the best guides to success in business and life that I’ve read. It’s very relatable and practical, with ideas that can be applied to daily challenges for successful outcomes…
What makes this book truly impactful is how each chapter ends with Building Your Playbook questions. These thought-provoking prompts encourage readers to reflect, sharpen their skills, and translate the inspiration into actionable steps, making the book both an enlightening and practical tool for growth.
I absolutely loved this book! It’s packed full of heartwarming stories and practical nuggets of wisdom that can help professionals find real success in their careers…
Twist the Familiar is an amazing, fun book packed with humor and visually inspired anecdotes that will inspire you one way or another. I highly recommend it for everyone in business and for personal inspiration.
Gary is a first-rate storyteller. Twist the Familiar entertains and inspires from Chapter 1 to the last page…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the leadership book Twist the Familiar about?
It’s a collection of short, real-world stories that double as coaching lessons, helping readers build a personal playbook for leadership and sales success.
The book is written for business leaders, sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants inspiring, practical, story-based leadership lessons.
For the availability sentence, add the e-book naturally: Twist the Familiar is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and everywhere books are sold, including as an e-book.
Yes, it debuted as an Amazon #1 Top New Release in its business category.