The Go-Giver, Expanded Edition

A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea

By: Bob Burg, John David Mann

Narrated by: Bob Burg, John David Mann

Length: 2 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving.... Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were." The Go-Giver tells the story of an ambitious young man named Joe who yearns for success. Joe is a true go-getter, though sometimes he feels as if the harder and faster he works, the further away his goals seem to be. Desperate to land a key sale at the end of a bad quarter, he seeks advice from the enigmatic Pindar, a legendary consultant referred to by his many devotees sim­ply as the Chairman.

Over the next week, Pindar introduces Joe to a series of "go-givers": a restaurateur, a CEO, a financial adviser, a real estate broker, and the "Connector" who brought them all together. Pindar's friends teach Joe the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success and help him open himself up to the power of giving. Joe learns that changing his focus from getting to giving - putting others' interests first and continually adding value to their lives - ultimately leads to unexpected returns.

Imparted with wit and grace, The Go-Giver is a classic best seller that brings to life the old proverb "give and you shall receive." Nearly a decade since its original publication, the term "go-giver" has become shorthand for a defining set of values embraced by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Today, this timeless story continues to help its readers and listeners find fulfillment and greater success in business, in their personal lives, and in their communities. This expanded edition includes the text of the original business parable, a new introduction, a discussion guide, and a Q&A with the authors.

©2015 Bob Burg and John David Mann (P)2015 Gildan Media LLC

Critic Reviews

"This modern-day business parable, a quick read in the spirit of The Greatest Salesman in the World and The One Minute Manager, should do well with eager corporate-ladder climbers.... Over the course of five days, a restaurateur, a CEO, a financial advisor, a real-estate broker, and the mysterious 'Connector' teach Joe about the laws of value, compensation, influence, authenticity, and receptivity - concepts that make more immediate sense in this fictional context than they would in a formal business book." (Publishers Weekly)

it's an eye opener.

the book itself has a great story, great and interesting characters. but it's an eye opener and the most, is life changing. on business and in life. I am definitely willing to read/listing to more books like this one.

Wow

I think this little book may have just changed my life in one afternoon of reading! Loved it! Already started implementing it!

Survivorship Bias

This book talks about these laws as if they are the slipstream to success. It should be noted that for the vast majority of people, you can follow these “laws” and still fail at your goal.

These aren’t bad guidelines for how to generally be a good person, but to go as far as to say that these will lead to you “stratospheric” success is unwise.

Take, for example, the law of compensation. The first thing I thought of when I heard it is how much “impact” a drug kingpin has on the communities they destroy. And, they compensated substantially for it. It goes to show that while “impact” is a great measure of compensation, it’s not one I would ever use.

I’d also like to point out that the example used for the last law was laughable. Getting a random call that not only saved Joe’s career, but also altered the trajectory of his life is a perfect example of survivorship bias. I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t do the same thing in his position. Even just a few pages earlier, Gus offers to stay to close up the office. Joe accepting his offer would have been a stronger example example of the 5th law. It demonstrates the idea that it’s okay to take other’s help sometimes.

Overall, the ideas on adding value were insightful, but the book did not provide any life-changing advice.

Great Idea w/ Great Insights

It’s an encouraging and empowering way to live one’s life—as a giver.

The concept is key for any organization seeking not just to be a group of go-getters but a group of decent and fulfilled human beings.

I thought it was great choice to deliver the ideas via story.

Anecdotal stuff is good, as people’s experience has value, but it would have been nice to get some stats or evidence at the end to support these 5 “laws”. Then again it’s a parable and not a book based on scientific research. Other books do that—like Daniel Coyle’s Culture Code or even Caroline Webb’s How to Have a Good Day.

All in all. It’s good, quick advice presented well in an easy digestible form via story.

Great parable

The story was great, a beautiful reminder on how to be a good person. Think back to all the things you were taught as a kid by your mother. I will be sending copies to my daughters at college.

One of my top books ever listened to

When you're ready for this book, get it. The principles it teaches can completely change your life.

cute and inspirational

Fun story with a great message. Short and sweet and yes the world would be a WONDERFUL place if everybody followed the principles of this book

Sounds Good in Theory

I really like the narrative as a work of fiction, but as a guide to business I was indifferent. I run a couple of small businesses in construction and software respectively and I'll say that the principle of value is absolutely true, but results take time, a lot of time, several years. In the narrative things move fast for our protagonist. Read this book for some common sense refresher and a good story, but not for a get rich quick (doesn't exist) guide.

It’s a good story...

I mean, it’s a nice anecdote or maybe fable and I enjoyed the tale and it was told well, but I’m not totally convinced of its effectiveness as a real life situation. I’ve listened to tons of podcasts that basically say the same thing and I’ve been practicing this concept for years... but don’t actually see the miraculous financial fruits they seem to pitch here. {Not promised but heavily alluded to}. I have seen other fruit and I live this way because it makes me feel a lot better than the alternative of just being a leech but again I don’t see the overflowing wealth to very many people, even the go-givers I know personally. Maybe I need to work on my ability to receive because nothing I’ve set out to do has produced the kind of wealth they allude to, nor have I received any 6:15pm magic phone calls landing me millions (eye roll)... maybe Mine called at 6:20 after I actually left an hour and 20 minutes late? :/ Overall it is worth a read if you’ve never learned the concept before, but I’m not convinced it’s realistic.

Truly a little blessing

Wonderful little gem that takes only a couple of hours to read, but will open your heart and your mind to the blessings that are already in your life that we often overlook!