Ready To Launch

Yesterday was more than a book launch. It was the culmination of years of conversations, observations, hard work, and a deep belief that leadership is less about titles and more about people.

I have watched my sister, Kathy, lead long before she ever put pen to paper. She has a remarkable way of making people feel seen, heard, and valued while still challenging them to become the very best versions of themselves. Those qualities don’t just make her an exceptional coach and speaker—they make her an extraordinary human being.

The E3 Leadership Code: A Human Approach to High Performance is a reflection of who she is at her core. It is thoughtful, authentic, and grounded in the understanding that the most effective leaders lead with both courage and heart.

As her sister, I couldn’t be prouder. It has been a privilege to stand on the sidelines cheering her on, and an even greater honor to celebrate beside her as this dream became reality. Congratulations, Kathy. The world is getting the gift of your wisdom, but those of us lucky enough to know you have been benefiting from it for years.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

My sister asked me to share some words from my family angle about the book. Here is what I said:

Before I raise my glass, I’d like to say a few words.

So here we are. At the end of one road and the beginning of another.

The words that have been living inside Kathy’s head about leadership are finally out in the world and printed on these pages.

Truth be told, I suspect these ideas started taking shape long before Kathy ever accepted her first job offer. Kathy and I were raised in a family that talked openly about how to treat people. We were taught that you don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins. You treat people the way you want to be treated. You listen before you speak. You respect every person who crosses your path.

Those lessons came from our father, John Eastwood, with our mother, Anne Eastwood, right beside him holding his hand through every one of them.

I had the tremendous privilege of seeing those principles in action. Every summer and school break, I worked in our dad’s company. It was there that I learned leadership wasn’t born in the corner office or announced by a title on a business card. It was cultivated in the everyday moments.

It was knowing employees by name and asking about their families. It was having honest conversations about what people were thinking and feeling. It was treating everyone—from the newest hire to the most seasoned employee—with dignity and respect.

That approach built trust. Trust built loyalty. Loyalty inspired people to give their very best. Dad’s company thrived not simply because of what he did, but because of how he led. His team respected both the man he was and the example he set. It was team building at its finest.

Those lessons were certainly not lost on Kathy.

She witnessed firsthand what leadership looked like, and she took those lessons into every room she entered. Kathy became a take-charge kind of woman—okay, maybe a little too take-charge at times… insert your laugh here—but that drive, determination, and genuine care for people produced results everywhere she landed.

And now, she’s sharing those lessons with all of us.

Kathy, today may feel like the completion of your first book’s journey, but I have a feeling this is only the beginning. This book will travel farther than you can imagine. It will sit on desks, nightstands, conference tables, and bookshelves. It will encourage leaders who have lost their way, inspire those just beginning their careers, and remind people that leadership isn’t about power—it’s about people.

You are about to touch lives, strengthen businesses, and change the way people think about leading others because of the wisdom, compassion, and experience you’ve poured into these pages.

So tonight, let’s celebrate not just the accomplishment of publishing a book, but the woman behind it—the sister, daughter, wife, leader, mentor, and now author.

Please raise your glasses with me.

Here’s to our newest author, Kathy Eastwood. May this be the first of many books, and may the road ahead be even more extraordinary than the one that brought you here.

Cheers.

Unknown's avatar

Author: KikiFikar

Kiki Fikar is a native New Yorker who is passionate about taking the day to day life we all experience and sharing it in her tales from Suburbia. She will often be found at the gym, writing snippets each day for future story lines, listening to her two children create their lives, and building the perfect beachfront home and writing retreat in her mind.

20 thoughts on “Ready To Launch”

  2. Thank you so very much! It was the best afternoon. My eyes are swollen from crying and my cheeks hurt from smiling watching her glide in and out of the crowd. Just a wow type of day!

    Lots of love! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  5. outstanding and wish her luck with the book. This is a great line “leadership isn’t about power—it’s about people.” I tried to always follow that and worked for some tremendous people that always did.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I’m really so happy for you both in this big, great news! Congratulations! I hope that her first book becomes a success, and I wish her endless success in her endeavors 🙏

    My weekend went very well, and I really enjoyed the cold breeze blowing through my whole house after a sweltering hot noon, and it’s a blessing. 🙏 Last week, I finished my blog redesign project for real, and did all other interesting projects.

    Have a joyful week full of happiness, peace, and prosperity! Enjoy your celebration! ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Karen, it is such an honor and privilege to be your sister. Family is foundation for leadership. We have been blessed. Thank you so much for your beautiful words yesterday and the continued love and support. I love you.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. If I could scream how proud I am of you from the mountaintops I would. Talking to everyone yesterday was incredible. Patti Gentile is going to put your book in her syllabus at NYU! I burst into tears!

    Like

  12. Thank you so very much! This makes me smile. I’m happy your blog redesign is complete. You must feel super accomplished and happy about that.

    Enjoy the cool breezes. You need to start the week off refreshed! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Thank you so very much Kevin! So excited to see where this takes Kathy. Reaching goals needs to start with real understanding of what people need. Happy Sunday! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  15. You’re most welcome! Of course, I’m so happy and accomplished about that. It was a huge milestone, and I’m so proud. ☺️

    Thank you so much for your encouraging words! Of course, I’ll enjoy the cool breeze and start my week feeling refreshed! You made me smile ☺️💜

    Enjoy your day ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

  16. What a beautiful tribute—not just to Kathy, but to the values that shaped her leadership journey. Your words remind us that the best leaders aren’t defined by their position, but by the way they treat people every day. It’s clear that Kathy’s book is rooted in lessons of empathy, respect, and genuine human connection that were modeled so powerfully by your parents. Congratulations to Kathy on this incredible achievement, and to your entire family for the legacy of leadership you’ve helped carry forward. Wishing her book great success and an impact that reaches far beyond what any of you can imagine.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. How very beautiful. Thank you so much. Kathy has been changing lives for years and now a wider group of people will be able to have access to her gifts. I’m a proud big sister!! ❤️

    Like

  20. I knowwww. I need to rely on audio books right now because of the way my brain is processing but nothing beats words on paper. Plus the smell of crisp pages is still magical.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment