Introduction—Be the Best Part of Their Day

Communication matters. Every leader leaves a footprint after every interaction. The only real question is: did you lift people up—or wear them down? In Be the Best Part of Their Day, David L. Schreiner, Ph.D., hands leaders a simple, disciplined way to make sure your presence is a net positive for performance, culture, and trust. As a longtime hospital CEO, he’s battle-tested these ideas in high-stakes, high-stress environments—and distilled them into practical moves any manager can use before the next stand-up, shift change, sales huddle, or board update.

What the book teaches

Schreiner organizes “supercharged communication” around three habits: connect personally (so people feel seen), communicate with intent (so messages land the way you meant), and align to the mission (so everyone pulls in the same direction). It’s not theory for theory’s sake—each habit ties back to results you can measure in morale, service, and execution.

You’ll also see how values-driven leadership and an Appreciative Inquiry lens—spotlighting what’s working, not just what’s broken—can transform everyday moments into cultural momentum. That approach keeps tough conversations constructive and routine updates energizing.

Why it matters now (especially for small and midsize businesses)

When resources are tight and customers are choosy, your edge is how quickly your team aligns and acts. This book shows you how to use communication as a force multiplier—turning quick touches (a hallway chat, a morning email, a jobsite walkthrough) into clarity, motivation, and accountability.

How to put it to work while you read

• Open every meeting with a “bright spot.” Start by naming one thing that’s going right and why.

• One message, one intent. Before you speak or hit send, ask: “What’s the one thing I need them to know or do?”

• Make appreciation specific. Tie your thanks to a behavior and an outcome (“When you did X, it helped Y.”).

• Close the loop. End interactions with clear next steps: owner, deadline, success criteria.

• Ritualize the mission. Link decisions back to your purpose in a sentence: “We’re doing this because it advances ___.”

Use these as scaffolding alongside Schreiner’s frameworks; you’ll feel the lift on your team within days.

Who this book is for

Owners, supervisors, and frontline leaders who want less drama and more momentum. If you manage a crew, a clinic, or a customer desk, this is a field guide you can keep within arm’s reach and actually use. Schreiner writes like a practitioner—direct, humane, and obsessed with impact.

The promise

By the time you turn the last page, you’ll have a repeatable way to be the highlight of someone’s workday and the catalyst for better results—without adding a single meeting to your calendar. Start with your next interaction: connect, be clear, tie it to the mission. Then do it again. That’s how leaders become the best part of someone’s day—consistently.