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Dave is president of Dave Anderson's LearnToLead, an international sales and leadership training and consulting company.
He gives 125 seminars and speeches annually and has spoken in sixteen countries. His distinct, "no-nonsense" message creates both discomfort and inspiration. Dave is author of thirteen books, including Up Your Business, If You Don't Make Waves You'll Drown, How to Run Your Business by THE BOOK, and How to Lead by THE BOOK and the TKO Business Series. His newest book is It's Not Rocket Science: 4 Simple Strategies for Mastering the Art of Execution. Dave authors leadership columns for three national magazines and his interviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of publications including: The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily and US News & World Report.
Dave, along with his wife Rhonda, is the co-founder of the Matthew 25:35 Foundation, whose mission is to bring food, housing, clothing, healing, and ministry to under-resourced and imprisoned people worldwide.
Please visit www.LearnToLead.com to learn more about Dave as well as gain over 500 free training articles and videos on sales, management and leadership!
Dave is also a martial arts enthusiast who holds a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do karate. Follow Dave on Twitter @DaveAnderson100.
Really wanted to DNF this at chapter 6 but I'm reading it for work.
When the author sticks to the four types of people in the workplace with descriptions of their mindsets and goals, the book is tolerable. But he doesn't deep dive into goals, how to actually develop those habits through best practices, and instead uses a lot of anecdotal stories about sports. By chapter 5, he is encouraging people to not maintain a work-life balance and instead put all of that aside to be "all you can be." Chapter 6 is where he goes on a 5-minute rant about political correctness being the bane of a game changers existence because not being able to be brutally honest and say exactly what you think makes you actually intolerant and you can never achieve success without saying it how it is. He includes a really terrible example comparing undocumented immigrants coming into America to someone breaking into his personal home. He also states that giving excuses is unacceptable regardless of what the excuse is and you're just not giving enough of yourself without making any sort of allowances for actual reasons why someone could not work a 60+ hour work week (family, jobs, school, hobbies, disabilities, pets).
Basically, if you want to succeed, you need to not be politically correct and just say it how it is, but also give up whatever work-life balance you had for the greater good of the company, oh and also never actually disagree with anyone, only offer alternatives because if you disagree with somebody you are bringing morale down, even if you are pointing out legitimate problems that would have an impact on the company.
Almost forgot- nothing about your socioeconomic class, gender, religion, sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability should be taken into account as to why you might not be as successful as someone else in our beautiful free market economy (you're obviously just not working hard enough and putting in enough hours, gender and racial bias is not real) according to the author because those are all excuses and you're holding yourself back to think that everyone's not on a level playing field. Because of course discrimination could never stifle anyone's success!
There are some good ideas in here, but the author clearly doesn't understand how structural inequality works - his basic premise is that if you don't get everything you want, then it all boils down to the "fact" that you haven't worked hard enough. There is some truth in the value of perseverance and discipline, but for groups who are systematically denied access to resources and opportunities, no amount of hard work will overcome that. That said, he gives useful tips on defining your vision, goals, and "why", and using these to direct your efforts each day, to become the best version of yourself.
This book would have been stronger without the streak of contempt in certain chapters. High achievers don’t need to cut down “losers” for motivation, and a contemptuous attitude will repel those who are still shaping their mindset.
I waxed and waned with this book as to how to rate it. Low points included lengthy quotes from Wikipedia and platitudes and examples that were relevant at the time of printing but have indicated that the examples used therein had expired their use by date and perhaps gone either stale or off. What I did like, in the typical management / self help / self development aisle - it used the typical 4 quadrants or 4 typologies, but with a novel twist. Describing "team players" as either Undertakers, Care Takers, Play Makers or Game Changers - it provided in the mind's eye a handy reference for the hierarchy of utility and aspiration in an ordered and understandable way. Then, we went on the platitude pathway with examples and anecdotes which may be refuted but are still handy as hints and parables for one's own application and setting. There were appropriate moments of telling the reader to wake up to themselves and get over themselves which again is beneficial tough love. The overarching nature of such books is that it has you in the moment believing that you can smash through brick walls and achieve anything and you, yourself become UNSTOPABLE. Perhaps you can get tidbits that you retain and do disciplined self change - or not. The flame often fades after someone has their first hot beverage post presentation or reading and reverts to typology. However, the author nicely points this out in the epilogue - if you get that far - and notes that if you are - paraphrasing - going to walk like the big dog but behave like a pissant - just give the book across to someone who is serious about making changes in their lives. Love the hook! Worthy of placing this higher in the pile of the congested self-help shelf than many others.
Anderson offers a "performance-enhancing manual" for persons who think they are ready for change. The central theme is about self-assessment / self-reflection, and self-improvement; and the main focus of the book is on action, with very little emphasis on the conditions necessary to support change. Throughout the read I was plagued by the absence of this acknowledgement and kept returning to thoughts of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. For those struggling to meet basic needs, prioritizing things like gym memberships over essential needs like work/life balance, or groceries is just not feasible. Therefore it is important to emphasize that this read is likely best suited to people who already have aligned ducks, and just need their fuze lit. The lack of discussion around the supports necessary for sustained change made it difficult for me to relate to the book's content. I should also admit that the book's language and style did not always resonate with me, and as a result I struggled to finish / stay engaged with most of the later chapters. The main feature of the book is that people are sorted into four categories: Undertakers, Caretakers, Play Makers, and Game Changers. I hope others will find this a compelling read.
The basic foundational principles in this book aren't necessarily ground breaking. They can be found in Napoleon Hill's or Jim Rohn's books and other modern day self improvement authors.
While the principles are relatively sound, Dave's tone was rather condenscending. He neatly lumps individuals into 4 categories and attributes certain characteristics to each group. However, very rarely is someone exclusively in one of those groups in every area of life. Dave presents the info in a very black and white way. You're either this or that. But life exists on a continuum.
Additionally, he states that which category you end up in is ultimately your decision. Granted, yes, there are many factors in one's control - mindset being one of them. At the same time, we can't ignore external or environmental factors as well.
Overall, I found the book rather bland and the concepts hashed out in a very unnecessary tone.
I very, very, very rarely give a book a 1 star. However, while some books are thought-provoking, others, like Unstoppable, are simply "provoking".
In simple terms, this book is highlighting the importance of "grit". However, not once does the author refer to the concept of grit or the research done in this area.
Also, while I applaud people who want to be the best they can be, I also know that there are those who value time with their family a lot more than 80 hours a week at work. Referring to these individuals as "losers" and talking down mediocracy as though it was a colonoscopy, is in my opinion obnoxious.
In addition, this book is filled with comments like "read my other book" or "see my dvd..."
I've read plenty of books on personal development and individual success. There are plenty of other options out there that are far more valuable than this.
As one of my first readings on how to establish a mindset, I think it did a pretty good job exploring the subject and reaching the conclusion of the necessity of being a game changer. However, and that is why I did not give this book a higher rate, Dave's rant about political correctness, and his "whining" about it with his continuous trials to demonize it and blame it for everything bad happening in the world, had a negative impact on me accepting his full massage, and actually I think it goes against his no complaining and no excuses mindset. That said, I believe it is a good book overall, but, as I said, I am no expert in that field.
Abandoned this one in chapter 5. I think the bones are good, but I couldn’t stomach the hypocrisy.
Chapter 5 opens with a fantastic section about how winners and champions invest in actions and decisions they can control instead of dwelling on components of the environment they can’t. Anderson then transitions to a diatribe about the softness of our culture and how “political correctness” robs us of opportunities for competitive achievement.
Why are we talking about macro-culture if I’m being instructed to focus on my micro-actions.
I’ll stick with Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You and Parrish’s Clear Thinking.
Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one thinks to change themselves.
This book is a very interesting book that portrays the type of mindset- undertaker, caretaker, play maker and game changer. By adjusting your mindset, you can achieve the highest possible quality that others can never do.
The key takeaway from elite performer is that they are playing against themselves. They compete against themselves and fight to improve themselves everyday. Okay, another 5 stars book.
felt very much like attending one of those preachy seminars/live publicity shows due to the frequent ad-like references it contains. having said that, i would not knock it the way i have seen other reviews have. i think some insights lend to food for thought and introspection. While i would not suggest people run to line up to get a copy of this book, if it does fall into your lap then it is worth leafing through at least a few pages
I can see why some other reviewers balk at the somewhat unyielding assessments in this book, which leave no room for excuses. But most people need fewer excuses instead of enabling. I found the classifications of employees very helpful as well, and the challenge of engaging in real self-evaluation is always good.
Solid stuff by Dave. He makes mention of redundancy in his messages as described by a client, and if you have read any of his stuff you will see the consistency in his messaging and teaching. Fundamentals have no expiration date! Thanks Dave!
Loved this book. Very high morals in this book of how to become a TRUE GAMECHANGER. It is harsh, but it many ways it is true. I agree with many arguments and ideas of Dave Anderson. Thank You for your inspiration.
Really great book in the beginning. Way too long for my liking and seemed a bit repetitive towards the end. I really enjoyed the messages in the bugging tho.
Had some good advice and direction but he makes it sound like you have to give up everything, like family (my feeling, not actually said), to make it as the best. Maybe it’s true but that’s more than I’m willing to sacrifice.