Choose the Handle That Holds
A Guide to Living, Leading, and Owning the Moments That Matter

Here’s the truth: Leadership isn’t handed to you with a job title, a corner office, or a trophy. It’s not about managing others or fitting into someone else’s mold. Leadership is built in the choices you make every day—how you show up, face challenges, and own your moments.In Choose the Handle That Holds, Becky Schmooke dismantles the myths that make leadership seem out of reach. Through her own candid stories, humor, and lessons from professional athletes, military leaders, media executives, and more, Schmooke proves that leadership isn’t about power but about small, intentional choices that lead to big impact.More than anything, leadership is the difference between merely passing time and truly living. Grounded in timeless Stoic wisdom but refreshingly relevant, this book is packed with tools like SAFE and STOA to help you navigate life’s challenges, make meaningful decisions, and live with purpose. Don’t let this book collect dust on your shelf. Use it as a guide you pick up again and again whenever you need clarity, confidence, or a reminder that leadership starts with you.Whether you’re leading others, building a strong foundation for your family, overcoming adversity, or striving for personal growth, this book will remind you that leadership is a lifestyle—and it starts with how you live every day.