It’s Meet the Author Monday! Each week we meet a new author and get to know a little about them, their writing process, publishing experience, and tips for other writers. Today we’re talking to David Grau Sr., JD, author of “The Stewardship Advantage“.
About David Grau Sr.:
David Grau Sr., JD is an award winning author, and speaker. David Sr. has authored five nonfiction books on stewardship, ownership transition, and business management, and was named one of Investment News’ 2017 Icons and Innovators. A sought-after speaker and prolific writer, he has delivered over 1,000 presentations across 48 states and written dozens of nationally published columns and white papers.
David Sr. has a unique skillset, using his background in business perpetuation, securities regulation, business taxation, and law, to support small business owners’ legacy building efforts. As the author of the pre-eminent book on global business stewardship, David Sr. is helping to marshal the legions of small business owners to serve all of their stakeholders and to change the world in the process.
Today, David Sr. continues his work as an author and advocate for building sustainable businesses that serve communities for generations to come.
About The Stewardship Advantage:
A Purpose Driven Strategy for Small Business Owners to Lead with Integrity, Build Trust, and Create Lasting
Lead with purpose. Win with integrity. Do well and do good.
The Stewardship Advantage offers a practical, market-smart strategy for small business owners who want more more meaning, more growth, more loyalty, and more enduring value. This isn’t a feel-good philosophy book; it’s a hands-on guide to running a business that thrives because it puts stakeholders first.
Through real-world insights and Stewardship Spotlights from around the globe, author David Grau Sr. demonstrates how prioritizing employees, customers, suppliers, and community doesn’t just do good it drives performance, strengthens teams, deepens trust, and creates legacy-level value.
Whether you’re building, scaling, or preparing for succession, this book provides actionable plans for leading with principle while achieving sustainable profitability. Fans of business leadership, ethical entrepreneurship, and small business growth strategies will find a practical roadmap for creating a values-driven organization that stands apart in a competitive market.
Author Interview with David Grau Sr., JD:
- What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Self-doubt. Lack of confidence. Not defining success properly for the task at hand. Not having a “special place” to write and to think and be at home with the project. Not having a pet to talk to (I had Oscar, an 8 lb. Brussels Griffon who sat with me all day) and share your failures and successes with – the perfect listeners and they give just the right amount of feedback!
- Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I wish I had a big ego so that I could validate my response! I think it helps because someone has to believe steadfastly in the writer – and sometimes you’re the only one.
- What is your writing Kryptonite?
Upfront organization! Once I have a clear idea, I like to get started writing too much and I just organize on the fly and that isn’t always such a good idea. Sometimes my books take on a life of their own and it is fun to see where they go and how they turn out. But I pay for the lack of organization time in the beginning with editing in the end.
- Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I have written five non-fiction books and they are all related to each other. My college writing teacher always said, “Write what you know!” I guess, so far at least, I just know a lot about one area of life and work. But I remember a business mentor who told me that I needed to learn to be an expert at something, a term he defined as “Knowing more and more about less and less!” I guess I’m following both pieces of advice.
- If you could tell your younger writing self, anything, what would it be?
Spend the first 30 years of your life learning (everything you can get your hands on), and the last 50 years writing about it. In other words, start writing sooner! I waited too long to get started in earnest and writing always took a backseat to running a business. If I had started writing books 35 years ago, I cannot imagine what I could have created or where I’d be today.
- How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
My first book was traditionally published by Wiley & Sons and they pretty much did everything except the writing for me. But this experience de-mystified the book writing process completely and once I had book one published, I knew there would be more to come! I also learned that, for me, writing a book in a more condensed period of time was really helpful in keeping track of where I’d been, and where I was going. Separating the first chapter from the last chapter by a year was problematic for me. Writing a complete draft in 90 to 100 days worked better for me even if the writing days were 8 to 10 yours long, six to seven days a week.
- What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
On a comfortable chair! And then on a comfortable, functional, reliable keyboard. And then, on my most recent book, a subscription to Chat GPT – my new favorite research librarian and muse.
- What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I was a total nerd in high school. I was not cool, until I won the high school writing competition as a Freshman with a paper about “Time” that I don’t think anyone really understood. Carl Sagan would have loved it. And everyone who mattered in my world treated me differently and better after that. I knew then that I would be a writer at some point in my life.
- What does literary success look like to you?
I wish I knew the answer to this question. I struggle with defining success when it comes to book writing. I guess I’m going to have to figure it out at some point.
- Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I read them all. I love the good ones because they make me feel successful. I learn the most from the bad ones, or at least the middle of the road reviews (the three-star reviews). I also have learned to read other author’s three-star reviews (out of five) because this is where the gaps or holes in the story or the logic are to be found. I read once that if you’re looking for the next book to write, read your competing authors’ three-star reviews. I think that is sound advice.
To learn more about David Grau Sr., JD, here’s where you can find Him:
Website: https://davidgrausr.com/
YouTube: David Grau Sr. JD Author
