About the Book
In 2008 Bob Burg and John David Mann took the business world by storm: their international bestseller The Go-Giver proved that a heartfelt work of fiction could also express a powerful idea. Now they’re back with an equally compelling story, set in the same city as their earlier book, about a young executive’s quest to master the secrets of persuasion and leadership.
Darren Hardy, publisher of Success magazine, hails It’s Not About You as “a manifesto for twenty-first-century leadership.” John C. Maxwell, the internationally recognized leadership expert, says it “captures the essence of life and leadership.”
Ben had the vague sense that there was something beyond the four points he had listed on his business card, but he could not identify what it might be.
“It all makes sense,” he said out loud, to no one but himself. “Leaders hold a vision. Leaders care. Leaders get their hands dirty and their boots muddy, do the work, and make tough decisions. And leaders stand for something. It’s about all of those things. But…”
But at the same time, somehow, it wasn’t about any of those things.
What was he missing?
— from the book
Editions
(click here for links to purchase the various editions)
It’s Not About You (English) hardcover
It’s Not About You (audiobook)
It’s Not About You (Spanish)
It’s Not About You (Chinese traditional)
Other Books in the Series
Bob and John’s first parable, The Go-Giver appeared in 2008, and is available in hardcover, in audio (with the authors reading), and in more than twenty languages.
Go-Givers Sell More, a collection of short, essay-like chapters on the principles of the first book illustrated with several dozen real-world stories, appeared in 2010. It is available in hardcover, audiobook (with the authors reading) and in a half-dozen foreign languages.
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Endorsements
“This book captures the essence of life and leadership. I recommend it!”
— , New York Times bestselling author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
“At Zappos, part of my role is about helping to create an environment where employees feel empowered to come up with their own ideas for fulfilling our vision and growing our culture. It’s Not About You reveals this same philosophy: Get out of the way, so your employees can lead the way.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.com, Inc.
“Burg and Mann have, once again, masterfully employed common sense and good judgment to show that success happens when you have an egalitarian spirit, practice Golden Rule behavior every day, and empower your people to make decisions from their hearts and souls. I LUV this book.”
— , President Emerita, Southwest Airlines
“It really isn’t about you. It’s about your team, your customers, your community, and your legacy. Share this book with those you care about.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of Linchpin
“A manifesto for twenty-first-century leadership packaged in a fun and engaging story. Buy this book and get it in the hands of everyone in your company!”
— , publisher, Success magazine and bestselling author of The Compound Effect
“Bob Burg and John David Mann are wonderful storytellers, particularly when it concerns what matters most in business. It’s Not About You is about anyone who wants to be successful and respected. This story has a lesson for everyone.”
— , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
“I’m not typically a fan of business books written in fictional formats, but I love this book. It explains leadership principles I care about deeply, principles that truly matter. Read this book. You’ll enjoy the journey and become a better leader and a better person in the process.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of The Fred Factor
“It’s Not About You reveals the secret that all truly great leaders know: genuine influence is about putting other people first.”
— , #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire
“Bob Burg and John David Mann have broken new ground in management literature. In the current global context, where the trust gap is widening in every aspect of business leadership, It’s Not About You raises our consciousness to a new level, poignantly delivering the essence of leadership through an engaging story. On a personal note, I happened to read the manuscript during at a critical juncture in my life, and I felt as if the book held me. It is now essential leadership reading for everyone at MindTree.”
— , Vice Chairman, MindTree Ltd.
“Genuine influence—not manipulation or power politics—is what makes the world go round, and this little book captures it beautifully, heart and soul.”
— , cofounder, Age Wave, author of Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World for the Better
“A thoroughly enjoyable and educational exploration of the most powerful way to work successfully with others! I highly recommend it.”
— , author of How to Master the Art of Selling and Selling in Tough Times
“Burg and Mann have done it again! It’s Not About You beautifully illustrates that the best way to have more in your life is to want more for others.”
— , author of Duct Tape Marketing and The Referral Engine
“Burg and Mann are not just great storytellers, they are also men of heart and soul. It’s Not About You is a gem of insight that reveals one of the true secrets to lasting business success.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times
“This book reveals the simplest and most powerful secret you will discover in your lifetime. Digest its message and be the best leader you’ve ever known!”
— , founder, Thin & Healthy Fitness Centers
“Another winner from Burg and Mann! It’s Not About You communicates relevant and timely lessons on leadership and influence in an engaging story. You’ll want to give this to your boss, your spouse, and every businessperson you know. They will thank you for the gift of a powerful lesson on empowering leadership.”
— , author of (7L) The Seven Levels of Communication
“It’s Not About You touches the heart and shapes the mind. This powerful story of leadership will stay with you long after you turn the last page.”
— , PhD, JD, coauthor of The 12 Factors of Business Success
“It’s Not About You will share space with The Go-Giver on a special bookshelf in my office labeled Must Read Twice—and there are fewer than ten books on that shelf. Bob and John have captured the very essence of what leads to generational or legacy success: sit in the other guy’s chair first, care about their desires, and display personal integrity at all times.”
— , bestselling author of The Tap
“It’s Not About You clearly conveys the crucial keys to business success through ‘legendary leadership’ and delivers them in a masterfully written, truly captivating story that you won’t want to stop reading. Whether you’re new to business or have been in business for years, this is likely to become the most valued, most utilized addition to your library of business books.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of Masters of Networking and founder, BNI® and Referral Institute®
“This entertaining and enlightening parable will give you the courage to succeed on your terms while supporting and inspiring the people around you. Highly recommended.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of The Think Big Manifesto
“It’s Not About You is a beautiful meditation on the foundations of business and leadership. Enjoy the story—and then go apply its plentiful nuggets of wisdom in your work and life.”
— , president, High Point University and chairman, Great Harvest Bread
“A captivating book, packed with Aha! moments. As with The Go-Giver, Burg and Mann draw you in and hold you with a powerful story that works on many levels at once. It’s Not About You will delight you, surprise you, and move you. More than that, it will change you.”
— , author Designed for Success and Career Moves
“The best in business get that it’s not about them—it’s about being useful to others. Read, study, and apply the ideas in this superb little gem of a book.”
— , international bestselling author of The Leader Who Had No Title
“The message from this decade is that corporate leadership is broken. The message from this book is that business excellence cannot be achieved without ethics, humility, and trust. Read it, digest it, apply it, and watch your company flourish.”
— , author of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur
“A breath of fresh air in the world of competing business books today.”
— , author of The Girls’ Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business
“It’s Not About You captures the true essence of leadership in a delightful parable that provides insight and encouragement throughout. The story’s Five Keys to Legendary Leadership contain nuggets that will help anyone improve their effectiveness in managing and influencing people. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone willing to learn that it’s not about you, but about those you lead.”
— , CEO, Heartland Technology Solutions
“Burg and Mann have once again crafted a powerful story that touches our soul and encourages us all to grow. It’s Not About You goes straight to the heart. It will change you forever.”
— , New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business and Life
“This little gem is a cornucopia of big, life lessons. Should be required reading for all college graduates!”
— , bestselling author of The Seeds of Greatness
“They’ve done it again! As someone who recommends The Go-Giver to every business owner I meet, I didn’t think there would ever be a title to compare. I was wrong. Now, I’m suggesting two must-reads! I read It’s Not About You from cover to cover, captivated by Ben and Aunt Elle. If you are in business, or even hope to have an ounce of influence in your life’s work, get this book, read it and then live it.”
— , author of The Barefoot Executive
“In today’s leadership desert of self-centered actions, people yearn for the oasis of principle-based servant leadership, a model masterfully portrayed by Bob Burg and John David Mann in their new book, It’s Not About You. Don’t just read this book: more importantly, learn it, live it, and share it!”
— , New York Times bestselling coauthor of Launching a Leadership Revolution
“Bob Burg and John David Mann have done it again! They have written a captivating book that is more than just a business story. It is a story about leadership–and life. It’s Not About You reminds me of my favorite movies. You know, the ones you see on the big screen and then buy the DVD so you can see them again? I highly recommend you read it from cover to cover. When you do, you’ll want to read it again, and the second time you will be reminded exactly why you bought the book in the first place. It’s that good!”
— , Redhead Marketing, Inc.