The Carpenter: The 3 Greatest Success Strategies of All

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!

I have been an Amazon fan for about a year now. they always deliver when they say it will be at my home. But guess what! they have actually delivered some of my packages a day before it has been scheduled. Started reading this book this past Saturday on our Book Club. Wow, so impressive, and we just started the 1st 2 and 1/2 chapters.

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

Great little story. These books are packed full of principles for life. Although pricey, this book could be written in an afternoon. I think about Jonathan Livingston Seagull was written in one night. It kindly gets my goat to read an obviously little book that is fill with blank pages to make the book look larger I suppose. That’s my grip I guess we all may have at least one? I do these evaluations to help other customers even thought they are only one man’s opinion. Thank

This book was a confirmation of how the Lord built the business he put in my hands to steward. He led me to love, serve, care, and build people. “My plan may not be working perfectly, but there’s a perfect plan working in me”. :) Great book! I highly recommend it to anyone looking to lead and teach others to lead.

Bueno

My son read it before I did and loved it. What a great story

I'm in the process of starting my own business and this book could not have been more timely! It is such an enjoyable, easy read that I finished it in a couple of hours. Each short chapter is filled with wisdom, knowledge and encouragement. I can see myself reading this book a few times over again as I look to implement the principles taught.

It's all about people, simples as that. No matter the kind of business, if you don't take care of people soon or later it will be doomed.

A great and simple story that left a lasting impression on me and inspired my work.