“Your compensation is directly proportional to how many lives you touch.”
– Bob Burg and John David Mann
The Go-Giver – A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea could be called a Manual for Servant Leadership! As the title suggests, the authors write about the benefits of giving to others first to transform your business from mediocre to amazing.
First published in 2015, The Go-Giver has sold over a million copies worldwide. The book is about a driven young businessman named Joe, who dreams of success. Joe is very ambitious but often feels that the harder he pursues his goals, the harder it is for him to reach the success he wants so desperately.
In desperation to land an important deal, he asks the legendary consultant, Pindar, for advice. An enigmatic character, Pindar introduces Joe to several “go-givers” and their stories. They give him valuable insights about “the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success.”
Joe learns that giving to others is the secret to success and that by focusing on making a difference in the lives of others, success comes easily and naturally.
It’s a beautifully told simple story, and I loved the key messages that are relevant not only in business but in everyday life:
I. The best route to success is by giving (not getting)
II. Always find a way to add value to your customer experience (you’ll read about Ernesto the hot dog guy and how he makes everyone feel special
III. Put other’s interests above your own and focus on building positive relationships
IV. Authenticity is the secret sauce in sales.
What’s special about this book are the unique characters and stories that illustrate that giving to others leads to great things and that it’s really not about the money!
The expanded version of the book includes a fascinating Q&A with the authors, a discussion guide, and an intro by Arianna Huffington. I loved the original version, and I love this new version. It’s food for thought for budding entrepreneurs (and anyone else) who want abundance for themselves and the wider community.
The book teaches us all to be “go-givers”, and I’ve shared it with many like-minded friends and colleagues. So, if you’re looking for a manual on how to crack that next sale, just like Joe – this is the book for you.
You’ll find The Go-Giver – A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea on Amazon.
WOW, Gary…please know how deeply honored I am by your very kind review of John David Mann’s and my book! Stratospherically Grateful!