Special offer

The Go-Giver - a Book That Might Change Your Outlook on Life!

By
Real Estate Agent with Helen Adams Realty 259636

At the recommendation of Jennifer Allan, author of Sell With Soul, and my "virtual mentor," I went out and bought a copyThe Go-Giver - a Book That Might Change your outlook on Life of The Go-Giver - A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea, by Bob Burg and John David Mann.

Now, I'll be honest...I'd probably do anything Jennifer recommended because her "Sell With Soul" philosophy --  of being the best darned real estate agent you can be without begging your friends and acquaintances for business -- resonates with me, and has helped me to triple my business this year.  Read Jennifer's review here.

The Go-Giver really blew me away because of it's simple message - in order to succeed in your life, job, marriage, whatever, you must give more than you take in payment, serve as many people as you can, place other people's interests first, recognize that the most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself, and be open to receiving from others.  

Sound schmaltzy?  Over-simplified?  Well, the authors are such great story tellers that their message just sinks in through osmosis.  It's a lovely parable of a stressed out, high octane businessman named Joe, who desperately needs more "clout and leverage" in order to secure a new "big kahuna account."  Through serendipity, he meets a mentor, Mr. Pindar, who shows him "the light" and helps him realize that he's been too busy trying to "get" instead of giving.  You'll have to read The Go-Giver to see how the story works out, but as with all parables, the lesson learned is deep and meaningful.

The Go-Giver - A Book That Might Change your outlook on lifeWhy did The Go-Giver resonate so strongly with me?  Because it affirmed my business philosophy, shared and honed by Jennifer Allan's Sell With Soul philosophy, that business will flow when I give more of myself than I expect to receive!

I hope you'll find a copy of The Go-Giver and give it a read.  It might light a fire in your heart as it did for me!

Let me know what you think!  And if you want some helpful tools to help you implement this business philosophy, check out Jennifer Allan's website, www.SellWithSoul.com.  These authors are truly kindred spirits!

Comments (16)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

OK, Melissa!  This is book has just jumped to the top of my gotta read list.  Thank you for the recommendation.

Sep 07, 2010 03:13 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Patricia, I don't think you'll be disappointed!  Please let me know what you think.  It was an aha! book for me!

Sep 07, 2010 03:29 PM
Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain
Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Melissa,

We've had numerous conversations on this topic. All the companies we see on the move have giving as a strong core value.

Steve

Sep 07, 2010 05:36 PM
Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn
Sell with Soul - Pensacola Beach, FL
Author of Sell with Soul

Wow - when this popped up in my google alerts, I was so excited! Thank you, Melissa!!!!! I'm having a blast writing my little series on the Go-Giver real estate agent...

Sep 07, 2010 11:59 PM
Anonymous
Bob Burg

Hi Melissa, thank you for your very complimentary review of John David Mann's and my book. And, I totally agree with you about Jennifer; she's amazing, and quickly becoming one of my favorite human beings and most respected business people. Her Go-Giving spirit shines right through...as does yours. Thank you so much again!

Sep 08, 2010 12:19 AM
#5
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Steve, I bet that now that my antenna is up on this book, I'll start noticing businesses that have giving as a core value.  I'm sure that I'll find that they are the more successful ones.  Thanks for sharing!

You go, Jennifer!  I couldn't believe how eerily similar the Sell With Soul philosophy was to the Go-Giver philosophy.  I'm so glad you've connected with the author!  The Go-Giver real estate agent - awesome!

Bob, WOW, thanks for taking the time to comment on my post.  Very gracious, open and giving of you!!!  Thank you for the book - I can't wait to read the next one!  I'm so impressed with the Go-Giver and plan to give it as gifts to people!

Sep 08, 2010 12:39 AM
Anonymous
John David Mann

Hi Melissa,

Thanks so much for this delightful review! As an author I can't think of anything more fulfilling than to hear a sentence like "It might light a fire in your heart as it did for me." As Ernesto would say, molto grazie! 

Oddly enough: my wife and I may be at some point moving to ... (wait for it) ... Charlotte! Our daughter is planning to go to school there in the future. I'll keep your information for when that time comes!

— John

Sep 08, 2010 02:46 AM
#7
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

John, after reading your book, it comes as no surprise to me that you have taken the time to respond to me.  I am utterly impressed, and truly believe that you guys NAILED it!  

I was actually hoping that my review would get featured on ActiveRain so that more people in this huge community would be inspired to read the book.  I think if more real estate agents (and heck, everyone) followed the Five Rules of Stratospheric Success, the world would be a much better place.

It would be my honor to show you and your family around Charlotte when the time comes.  In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  We moved to Charlotte in 1998 from the Washington, DC area, and just love it here.  You can start a revolution here in Charlotte, and after reading your book, I'm inspired to become the Charlotte version of Debra Davenport!

Sep 08, 2010 04:53 AM
Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

Melissa - I'm going to find a copy of the book soon.  Thanks for the suggestion.  The concept is exactly how I want to model my business.

Sep 08, 2010 09:32 AM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Tammy, I can almost guarantee you won't be disappointed.  I just ran out to Barnes and Noble today to by the sequel, "Go-Givers Sell More."  Can't wait to dig in!  Please let me know what you think of the book!

Did you notice that the 2 authors even found their way here and commented?  WOW!

Sep 08, 2010 11:40 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Thanks, I think I will.

And I love the new photo Melissa.  Beautiful.

Sep 08, 2010 04:39 PM
Anonymous
Kim Venable

This book sounds wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

 

Kim

Sep 20, 2010 03:32 PM
#12
Anonymous
Kim Venable

This book sounds wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

 

Kim

Sep 20, 2010 03:32 PM
#13
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Melissa:  I was looking to see what posts of mine you have commented on, and found THIS post.  I, too, read the Go-Giver... the red-covered one pictured above... and really was "taken" by it.  I read it after I read Loreena Yeo's review of it in a post.

I loved the way the story unfolded.  Nice and simple.  Interestingly thought-provoking and touchy-feely at the same time... which is not an easy combination to do.

I ended up reading it twice, and strangely enough I was thinking about re-reading it again recently... just to refresh myself.  The second time through I saw even more in it that appealed to me, and that sounded like me... than I saw the first time.

Additionally, though, I didn't care as much for the follow-up book... I think it was titled "Go-Givers Sell More."  It had a green cover.  I thought that my own mind ended up taking the Go-Giver concept... and combined it with my own psychology background... and the way my own mind works... and felt that where the Go-Giver took me... I liked... but where the book "Go-Givers Sell More"... "took me"... it wasn't as much "me."  Am I making any sense here.

My selling ideology has always been very-much "other centered."  Making dreams come true... rather than seeing the concept as a means to "sell more stuff."  Sorry if I am going way out in left field, here.  I'm just letting my thoughts "ramble."

By the way... have you read a book called "The Shack ?"  Just wondering.   February 2, 2011.

Feb 02, 2011 10:46 AM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Hi again Karen Anne!  I'm glad you found this post.  We have yet another thing in common - this is getting more and more interesting!  I loved the Go Giver, and like you, liked it much more than the Go Givers Sell More.  I still liked the green book, but it didn't ring my bell like the red one did.

It meant a lot to me because I cannot "sell."  I just "do," and let my actions speak for themselves.  I'd rather drink a bucket of warm horse sweat than cold call or knock on a FSBO door.  Feels icky to me, because I can't stand it when people do that to me.  I guess my philosophy is old and corny - it's the golden rule.  It works every time.

Yes, I read The Shack, and I enjoyed it.  What an interesting concept!  My gosh, we should start an ActiveRain Book Club!

I'm trying to think of which posts of yours I commented on - probably the political ones!  Since I read your post about adding Associates, I added you as one.  I kind of don't get the whole "Associates" thing.  I tried to write a review of you - but I don't know where it shows up!

Until next time....

Feb 02, 2011 11:03 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Melissa:  I looked it up, and the first post of mine you commented on was on November 28, 2009.  The title was "From the mind of a Ten Year Old... Liberty and Justice for All..."  It was about a young boy who refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance because "gay marriage was not allowed..." and he felt that because of that... America did not offer "Liberty and Justice for All."

I loved your comment, and it was on that day that I Added you as an Associate.  And, of course, made a comment.

You can find what YOU wrote when you added ME... by going to My Profile page, and at the top... at the end of the word Username... it says (328 Associations).  Click on the 328 Associations... it's a link to the list of those who have Added me as an Associate.  Then, look for the date you Added Me... and your comment will be there... to the right of your name and your link.

To find MY stuff about adding YOU as an Associate... go to YOUR Profile Page... and do the same thing.  Click on the "Associations" link at the top... at the end of the line Username.  I added you on November 28, 2009... and also wrote a comment about you as well.  You added me yesterday, so your comment is at the bottom of page four... which makes you the most recent one to "Add me."  By the way... thank you !

Feb 02, 2011 02:54 PM