
Week Minded
52 Reflections on Leading and Living One Week, One Story, One Measure at a Time
By: Rod Branch
Paperback | 4 February 2026
At a Glance
276 Pages
21.59 x 13.97 x 1.91
Paperback
$36.29
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WEEK MINDED: 52 Reflections on Leading and Living, One Week, One Story, One Measure at a Time
is a heartfelt collection of 52 weekly reflections drawn from Rod Branch's remarkable journey from sharecropper roots and Arctic oil fields to boardrooms and family life. Through authentic storytelling, Branch demonstrates how true leadership and resilience are cultivated in setbacks, relationships, and acts of caring, rather than fantastic success. Each chapter offers a pause for deep thoughts, blending humor, humility, and wisdom, reminding us that our worth is measured by how far we've come, the people we've loved, and the legacy we create one week at a time.
"It's a direct, no-nonsense 52-week guide for people who want results. Each week delivers one clear principle you can actually apply - to how you lead, how you work, how you make decisions, and how you run your life. It's practical thinking, uncomfortable truths, and steady pressure in the right direction. What makes this guide powerful is its discipline. One week at a time for reflection and action. It doesn't try to change you overnight; it builds consistency, judgement, and resilience over a year. The lessons compound. It's a refreshing way to approach growth and change."
Janette Marx, CEO, Employbridge
"Week Minded feels deeply personal from the first page. You can tell it was written by someone who has lived a full professional life and never lost sight of what matters most. Rod's journey-from engineer and lobbyist to trusted leader-gives him a unique perspective, but what really comes through is his heart. Rod is one of the most giving people I know, and that generosity shows up in every story he tells. He writes the way he leads: thoughtfully, honestly, and with real care for the people involved. These stories don't try to teach or impress-they simply share experiences that make you pause, reflect, and think differently about how you show up for others. What stands out about Week Minded is how genuine it is. Rod isn't preaching or positioning himself as an authority. He's sharing lessons the same way he would in a conversation-openly, with humility, and without ego. His career shifts don't feel like big reinventions; they feel like a natural progression toward work that truly serves people. Week Minded is a reminder that strong leadership starts with kindness, listening, and doing the right thing even when it's hard. Rod's stories reinforce that you can be thoughtful and principled, practical and human, all at the same time. I'd recommend this book to anyone who values authentic leadership and believes that how you treat people really does matter." Hang Bower, Founder, CEO, Ethos Consulting LC
Industry Reviews
"I started reading it and couldn't put it down. Rod's stories are so
interesting. Each chapter makes you think about applying the lesson to
your own life."
Sue Burnett, CEO, Burnett Specialists
"Week Minded feels deeply personal from the first page. You can tell it was
written by someone who has lived a full professional life and never lost
sight of what matters most. He writes the way he leads-thoughtfully,
honestly, and with real care for the people involved. What stands out
about Week Minded is how genuine it is. Rod isn't preaching or positioning
himself as an authority. He's sharing lessons the same way he would in a
conversation-openly, with humility, and without ego. Week Minded is a
reminder that strong leadership starts with kindness, listening, and doing
the right thing even when it's hard. Rod's stories reinforce that you can
be thoughtful and principled, practical and human, all at the same time.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who values authentic leadership and
believes that how you treat people really does matter."
Hang Bower, Founder/CEO Ethos Consulting LC
"It's a direct, no-nonsense 52-week guide for people who want results.
Each week delivers one clear principle you can actually apply - to how you
lead, how you work, how you make decisions, and how you run your life.
It's practical thinking, uncomfortable truths, and steady pressure in the
right direction. What makes this guide powerful is its discipline. One week
at a time for reflection and action. It doesn't try to change you overnight;
it builds consistency, judgment, and resilience over a year. The lessons
compound. It's a refreshing way to approach growth and change."
Janette Marx, CEO, Employbridge
"Rod Branch has crafted a rare book that feels like messages from a mentor
who has lived a life rich with stories, family, and friends. It shows us that
our passions and 'red threads' shape us in ways we often only recognize
later. This is Rod's voice at its truest: encouraging, grounded, and full of love
for the reader."
Juliet Breeze, MD, CEO, Next Level Medical
"Rod brings an incredible amount of depth with the vast and vivid
depictions of stories that bring further relevance to his journey. I so enjoyed
reading the myriad of anecdotes that show an individual who has a passion
for learning and knowledge woven into the fabric of the story. Rod's book
is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of leadership & continuous
learning. Rod has a great knack for storytelling that kept me on the edge
of my seat for the entire book. I wholeheartedly endorse this wonderful
depiction of a life well-lived."
Alan Brush, Partner, Solution Spark
"Rod Branch has crafted a masterclass in transformative insight, wrapped
in a warm embrace - like curling into a warm blanket on a crisp day. The
perfect blend of self-care and rest for the nervous system: soothing,
grounding, and deeply human."
Sarah Kouba, GM, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District
"Rod's stories and life lessons feel like sitting down with a trusted friend
over a warm cup of coffee and a conversation that stays with you long
after it ends. Week-Minded will strengthen your spirit. This isn't simply a
collection of stories and wisdom - it is a guide to living with transparency,
authenticity, and genuine care for others."
Liz Townsend, Senior Partner, Allen Austin Consulting
"People sometimes brag about 'graduating from the school of hard knocks'
like it's a badge of honor to fumble through life. I'm thankful when people
like Rod go out and do difficult things, learn hard lessons, gather and curate
a lifetime of those lessons, and then present them o
Table of Contents
Foreword by Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Part I Awakening Awareness -
Becoming the Student of Your Own Life
Part II Resilient Leadership -
Finding Strength in the Storm
Part III Relational Wisdom -
The Art of Leading through Connection
Part IV Legacy and Transcendence -
Becoming Someone to Someone
Afterword by Gair Maxwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
About the People Who Shaped This Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
The Story of BranchWater Press. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
ISBN: 9798994293294
Published: 4th February 2026
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 276
Audience: Professional and Scholarly
Publisher: Branchwater Press
Dimensions (cm): 21.59 x 13.97 x 1.91
Weight (kg): 0.43
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