Have you ever read a book so simple yet enlightening that it changed your worldview forever?
It’s happened to me a few times. And it just happened again – this time with The Go-Giver.
Odds are you don’t know of this little gem. It’s authors, Bob Burg and John David Mann, aren’t nearly as mainstream as today’s creative titans – Malcolm Gladwell, Jim Collins, Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Gary Vaynerchuk, etc.
But as we Untemplaters know, size doesn’t always matter and is rarely the only measure.
So, in the spirit of this “little story about a powerful business idea”, I’d like to share with you this small treasure – a gift to you to achieve greatness.
Go-Getters vs Go-Givers
We’re all familiar with “Go-Getters”. You may even be one yourself. A Go-Getter is an aggressively ambitious person who works harder and faster than the rest. She’s driven by accomplishment, reward, and (to a certain extent) status.
Go-Getters aren’t all selfish buffoons. But many are – putting themselves first and caring more about their personal agendas than the needs of others. And many believe in the ends justifying the means.
So, while Go-Getters can be tremendously successful, such success is typically isolated to themselves or a tiny network.
Enter Go-Givers.
Go-Givers think and behave in precisely the opposite way. Their focus is not on getting for themselves but giving to others. This mindset is driven by their belief that giving is “the simplest, most fulfilling and most effective path to success in business and life.” (The Go-Giver)
…
The Big Picture and Your Reality
The world of business is changing…or has already changed. Those achieving stratospheric success put the customer first 100% and never flinch from this position. This isn’t a fad; it’s a trend. And the tipping point is in our rear-view mirror.
And this isn’t a one-sided affair. Becoming a Go-Giver isn’t only a provider’s responsibility. It must also be a consumer’s responsibility. Why? Because consumer’s choices matter. So reward those providers whom embrace go-giving by choosing them. This spawns the uplifting cycle of a go-giving society.
So, as you seek to design your own reality and live life on your own terms Untemplater-style, please adopt the Go-Giver mentality. This is first a plea to you because I want you to succeed. Second, this is a hope that together – through a gift-giving society – we can better the world.
Of course, feel free to disagree with me. But if you do, know that you’ll be disagreeing with the likes of Jason Fried, Tony Hsieh, Seth Godin, Spenser Johnson, and countless more.
Your Moment of Truth
So, which are you – a Go-Getter or a Go-Giver? Choose wisely!
PS…
This was but the briefest of reviews of The Go-Giver. There is so much more to learn and gain from the book. I HIGHLY encourage you to read it. It’s short. You can read it in a day, easy. So no excuses! Have at it!
It’s a great book. I read it recently and was overwhelmed by it. I have the Five Laws as the desktop on my Mac, I look at them every day and continue to be inspired by them. It was fabulous reading the comments from Bob Burg, I love the immediacy of this medium.
Simple ideas are the ones that inspire people, especially simple ideas wound into a story. This story really spoke to me and I found the ending so inspiring. It wasn’t just that the book contained a great idea it was that it lead to a place far beyond what I expected. Where it lead to was so possible and so in line with the amazing stories that are out in the real world that it did not seem outrageous.
I look forward to reading the second book, thanks for highlighting it for me.
Fantastic perspectives Graham! Thanks for sharing.
I thoroughly agree that simple ideas are the most profound and that most easily inspire ideas. And the context of a fictitious (yet perfectly plausible) story is amazing – and (I believe) indelible for one’s memory.
Please share your thoughts on the second book when you get to it. I’ll do the same.
Cheers!
Matt
I truly know what you mean regarding the “ridiculous reading queue.” I seems to buy books faster than I can ever read them and then wonder why I’m frustrated by all my unread books. 🙂 Okay, maybe I’m not wondering why The problem is that I actually know why and keep on buying them. LOL
BTW, we would define a “go-taker” as someone who operates (both in business and persona lives) as though they are “entitled” to take, take, take, and without having added value to the person, the process or the relationship. They can even be basically good people, but they are often frustrated (just like Joe was) that they never seem to accomplish what they feel they deserve, and even the rare times they do it tends to not be long-lasting. The irony is that these people are often the ones who see the rest of us as being “naive.” 🙂
Hey Bob!
I love your “go-taker” archetype – especially the point that they aren’t necessarily “bad” people (even good in fact), but that they succumb to the woes of today’s traditional “me-first” society.
I agree with the irony too. I feel more and more that those that criticize loudest are the one’s with the sharpest myopic views and, thus, are most in need of a self-introspective.
Cheers!
Matt
Matt, thank you so much for your very kind review of John David Mann’s and my book. It’s an honor to know you found the book to be of value. And, thank you to all of Matt’s blog readers for your kind feedback, as well. I think one point we should have made in the first book (and we did in the second) is that the opposite of a go-giver is actually a “go-taker.” As you said, Matt, many go-getters aren’t necessarily selfish people. I like to see people be both go-getters and go-givers. 🙂 Again, thank you for your review, and PLEASE know how much you are appreciated!
Bob
Hi Bob-
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment! It’s an honor. And it’s my pleasure to give this gift forward.
I admittedly haven’t gotten to the second book yet (it’s in my ridiculous queue!). But I’m already intrigued with the “Go-Taker” idea.
All the best!
Matt
Interesting. Never heard that term, but that describes the 100+ strong Yakezie members. Our motto is to selflessly help others!
Best,
Sam
Sounds like a perfect fit! It’s definitely a worthwhile read. I hope you enjoy it!
Cheers!
Matt
I’m really glad you’re bringing attention to this book, especially since what people seem to over-quote is the latest Godin, Gladwell, or Ferris book. I read “Go Givers Sell More” about 5 months ago, and it really exposes you and your intentions for what they are – for the most part selfish. The principles there are really all about how you get results using relationship selling. The bottom line is that you do what’s best for the relationship…..period. Burg and Mann’s first book, “Go-Giver” is pretty good, but this one is better.
Begin soapbox: I would love to see people begin to quote and cite more diverse books (such as “Go-Givers Sell More””, rather than just the latest trendy or fad books.
Hey Scott-
Great insights! Thanks!
I haven’t yet read “Go-Givers Sell More”. I think your recommendation was the last push I needed. Cheers!
Indeed selling (and all of business really) is about the relationship…period. You need to nurture and cultivate it with generosity, respect, and giving. Sadly, I feel too few get this, even in today’s more free-thinking society.
Thanks again for the comment!
Cheers!
Matt
Great book! This would be a great one to read as a precursor to Linchpin.
Thanks Matt!
– JC
Hey Josh-
Completely agree! It’s a fabulous read in-and-of itself but fits so nicely with Godin’s philosophies.
What I like about The Go-Giver even a bit more than Godin’s stuff is that it’s told as a fictitious story – and I believe that stories are one of the best ways to communicate an idea.
Cheers!
Matt
I just loved this article and am sure I will love the book. Thank you so much for taking the time to read it and, more importantly, for offering us up something outside of the standard “how-to’s” written by the big “names”.
Not that the “names” don’t have good things to say, but sometimes new voices are needed, no? Sometimes new people need a chance to share new ideas without having to sell themselves upon the marketing altar.
This review and this book? I say they’re just the things we need to keep talking about because it’s a conversation whose time has come.
So glad I found @norcross who tweeted this so I could find you. Funny how the good stuff seems to show up just when you need it. 🙂
Hey Leanne-
Wonderful comment. Thank you so much! It’s remarks like yours that really keep us going! 🙂
Indeed it’s nice to read insightful works of more than just the uber-elite. This book absolutely fits the bill. You’ll LOVE it. Give it a read and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear. I’m at @MattGartland if you wish
Oh, and @Norcross is indeed a pretty cool dude too. Just saying… 😉
Cheers!
Matt
Thanks for the quick review, Matt. I’ve never heard of the book, but am putting it on my To-Read list. I just finished reading Godin’s Linchpin and I can see how he would be a subscriber to the Go-Giver mentality. Most of hist book (I’m sure you’ve read it) is about creating art and giving away the gift. I love it.
Hey Hugh-
Seth actually gave one of the many promo quotes for the book. It’s definitely a good fit with his ‘Linchpin’ perspectives. You’ll surely enjoy it!
Cheers!
Matt