In Grandma Said, Brinkley lovingly shares her life lessons in forms of short stories from her early childhood. These lessons, taught to her by her late grandmother, Nerisee Spence Kelly, helped to mold Brinkley into the leader she is today.
Grandma Said is not only a read along but also a sing along with a CD recorded by Ruth Brinkley’s sister, Cassandra Gilyard. The CD is designed to accompany the book.“The Leader Within Me” is a website dedicated to helping individuals to understand and use their own special gifts of leadership. Each person has special gifts and talents and they are often manifested as passion, a drive to achieve or a natural ability to influence others. Whatever the gift, it is there to be given back to others so that together, we make the world a better place to live.
The leader within you may be a gift so obvious that all see it, or it may be buried so deeply within you that even you are unaware of its existence. Taking the time to discover and understand the special leadership gifts that you possess will give you a sense of freedom, a sense of confidence, and the ability to provide tremendous support to others. No gift of leadership is too small to make a difference and no gift is so big that it can accomplish everything alone. We are each called to lead; to guide; and influence in our own way. This allows us to make a positive impact in our communities, our nation and the world.
Listen to your heart; pursue the passion that is yours, and answer the calling to lead in your own way. Whether you are called to take a small step or a giant leap, follow your heart and discover the leader within you!
The life of a hospital CEO is very full and busy. My days as a CEO in a hospital in the Southeastern United States were no exception. Requests from patients, families, physicians, employees and many other activities fill most days and evenings, leaving little time for anything else. Any unexpected interruption—pleasant or unpleasant - could throw off the schedule for the day, leaving many “important” things uncompleted. 
There are moments, however, when something or someone tugs at your heart and “steals” time from all those “important” things you must do. Those are the times when a connection with a patient or family member... More.