The Fred Factor: (How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary)
By Mark Sanborn
Reviewed: January 2008

Whilst shopping for family in a local bookstore I came across this slim volume by a top motivational speaker. The book tells the story of Mr. Sanborn’s mailman, the first “Fred,” who provided such exemplary service that the author began using him as a real life example of how to go from ordinary to extraordinary in his corporate training talks.

Sanborn presents a simple message in a simple format. The book is only 112 pages—a quick read. Nowadays, leadership books are often footnoted and indexed to the point of obfuscation. Not The Fred Factor, which focuses on four basic principles that can be applied by anyone, anywhere: everyone makes a difference; success is built on relationships; continually create value for others without spending a penny; reinvent yourself regularly.

I recommend this book as a refresher, primarily, an effective and economic (only $15) way to remind yourself of what you probably already “know” and aren’t fully employing.

For those of us who lean toward perfectionism and rugged individualism, being reminded that asking for help and building relationships is the best (and Sanborn would say “only”) route to sustained success, both financially and spiritually.

If you’re headed on a flight and want a nice 3 hour read, pick up this book. There are a few gems in it worth mining.

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