I’ve spent thirty years around people who were leading and had no idea. Teachers. Coaches. Parents. The guy who shows up early to set up the chairs. None of them got a title, a mandate, or a moment where someone said, “You’re in charge now.” They changed the direction of the people around them anyway.
The River You’re Carving is about how that actually works.
We’re taught to look for leadership in the big moments… the speech, the crisis, the day somebody finally steps up. So most people spend years assuming they aren’t leading, because no big moment ever came for them.
But the Grand Canyon is a mile deep, and no flood made it. It was water that just kept showing up, moving a few grains of sand at a time. Nobody watching on any given afternoon would have said anything was happening.
That’s the book. Nine chapters on the quiet, unglamorous, one-day-at-a-time version of leading… and why it’s the version that lasts.
Put your email below and I’ll send you the prologue and Chapter 1. No cost, no catch. If it lands, the rest is on Amazon.
What readers are saying
The River You’re Carving is a refreshing reminder that growth doesn’t happen in a single breakthrough moment — it unfolds gradually, in the quiet spaces of everyday life. What struck me most was the author’s ability to show how leadership isn’t reserved for titles or positions; it’s woven into the choices we make, the patience we practice, and the way we respond when things don’t go as planned.
One of the strongest themes throughout the book is the idea of letting things happen over time, rather than forcing progress before it’s ready. The author illustrates how meaningful change often comes from consistency, reflection, and trust — not urgency. As someone who tends to believe everything needs to happen ‘right now’, I found myself pausing more than once to reconsider the pressure I put on myself.
The book also highlights that lessons are everywhere, especially in our mistakes. Instead of treating missteps as failures, the author reframes them as essential parts of becoming better leaders and better humans. That perspective felt both grounding and liberating.
Stylistically, it’s an easy, enjoyable read; conversational, relatable, and filled with stories that feel familiar even if you’ve never lived them yourself. I found many parallels to my own life, from the moments where I’ve stepped confidently into leadership to the ones where I’ve second‑guessed myself. At the same time, the book offered new perspectives on areas where I’ve been carrying unnecessary expectations or urgency.
Overall, this is a thoughtful debut from a first‑time author — one that encourages readers to slow down, pay attention, and recognize the leadership potential already within them.
Are you looking for long-term change?Are you looking for guidance that’s palpable? I’m only on chapter 3, and I’m already hooked. And also super proud to know this local author, Luther Olson. I would highly suggest this very quick read for your personal life, for your relationships and for your careers. There are some powerful nuggets in this book. It’s taking me so long to get through 3 chapters because I am continuing pausing and thinking and adding his words to my life.
Where to get it
Kindle, $6.99. Paperback, $14.99. Both on Amazon. (Audible coming soon!)