The Carpenter: A Story About the Greatest Success Strategies of All (Jon Gordon) Hardcover – May 27, 2014

I was recently facilitating a strategic planning meeting when the CEO announced that she had read the book, "The Carpenter: A Story About the Greatest Success Principles of All" by Jon Gordon - and that she wanted to lead the company based on the three core principles of the book: Love, Serve, and Care.This CEO is already a pretty remarkable woman, so I had to buy the book, and I'm glad I did!The core concept of this short fable business book is that you'll be more successful and lead a more fulfilling life when you focus on the process vs. the end results. By loving the work that you do, serving others, and caring about each and every person you connect with, the results will follow.If you can get past the biblical allusions (the mentor is a carpenter named J. Emmanual - wonder if he was born in a stable?), this book packs a punch. Reading time is less than an hour, and I highly recommend some reflection time in between a few chapters.Here are some of the key points:- Don't just be a carpenter; be a craftsman. Rather than approaching work as a job that needs to get done quickly, be concerned about what you are creating. "I pour my heart and soul into everything I build, knowing that all I create is a reflection of me.- Be Optimistic. "What you believe will become what is true."- Talk to Yourself Rather Than Listen to Yourself. Feed yourself with positive words and encouragement rather than listen to negative thoughts.- Do Everything with Love. "Do not fear failing. Do not fear losing clients. Do not fear that you won't be successful. Do not fear that things won't go your way. Instead do everything with love and you will cast out fear, you will flow instead of stress, and you will create more success than you could ever imagine."- Look for Opportunities to Serve Others. "Ask your employees what they need and serve them. Anticipate their needs and serve them before they even know they need it. Ask your customers what they need from you to be the best.- Teach your Team to Serve Each Other. "Great teammates serve the team more than themselves. When a team is more committed to serving one another rather than their own selfish desires, they become very powerful and accomplish amazing things."- Find Unique Ways to Show You Care and Make it a Habit. "It may seem like a small gesture but it means everything [to the recipient]."- It Starts with the Leader. "Great organizations that care are composed of people who care greatly - and it starts with you. Not because you are the leader of the company, but because one person who cares inspires everyone around them to care.The carpenter/author cautions that this is not a quick-fix solution to an organization's problems, but by having the courage to persevere and continue to love, serve, and care, you'll see great results.At least have the courage to read the book and have your team discuss how it might apply!

Easy to read, positive, uplifting stories from Jon Gordon. Great for any organization, business, leadership group, school, team, etc.Some of my favorite quotes:"Remember, life gives us warnings for a reason. Learn from this. Do things differently.""Blurry things can be brought into focus with the right questions and better strategies.""When you see the good, look for the good, and expect the good, you find the good and the good finds you.""Life and success are about what you choose to believe.""The secret to life and the greatest success strategy of all is to love all of it and fear none of it.""Great leaders don’t succeed because they are great. They succeed because they bring out the greatness in others.""Real leaders, great leaders, become powerful by serving others and giving their power away with love. Only by serving can you become truly great!""Serving leads to true success.""When you care, you will inspire others to care.""I believe we possess the greatest power in the universe, the power to make a difference in the life of another human being.""When you see failure as a blessing instead of a curse, you will turn the gift of failure into a stepping stone that leads to the gift of success.""Your purpose will inspire you to love those who are hard to love, serve when you don’t feel like serving, and care more when you don’t feel very caring.""The key is finding the purpose that inspires you to be the mission.""You aren’t a true success unless you are helping others be successful. Success is meant to be shared."#loveservecare

This is another life altering book. It provides a formula so simple that it is hard to grasp. I intend to use the information provided to help me on my journey and more importantly help others on theirs.

The seller showed that this was a new book when I looked on Amazon to purchase it. In actuality, it was ... like new... and had writing in it. I am suffice to say a bit disappointed. The book, however, is a good read and has kernels of wisdom in it that are very good.

It's no secret that I love the books that Jon Gordon writes. They are told in a simple manner in very matter of fact statements that make sense. The fact that Jon is always able to tie many things together that help inspire people to not only better themselves, but become better leaders to help/serve others.The Carpenter tells a story of a man who, stressed by work and life in general, collapses in his morning run and finds himself in the hospital. He has been saved by "J", who in saving him in the street also teaches him several steps to save many things in his life and to see what success really is. It's one thing to build something, it's another to create a masterpiece.In the book, you see Michael's transformation to just getting through day by day to work toward his (and his family's) dream. You see him go through struggles, setbacks and challenges and you get to see how he deals with them.Jon's books are always full of great quotes to help you remember the important pieces and inspires you. You learn how the things you do can inspire and teach others as you work through. "There's no such thing as an OVERNIGHT SUCCESS but there are timeless principles to help you stand out. "I enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to re-reading it many more times and to use the #LOVESERVECARE principles in all aspects possible.I highly recommend this book to anyone - along with many of his others. It is definitely worth the purchase!