Dave Gordon - TIP

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Thirteen years ago, when I published my first best-selling book, The Energy Bus, I thanked many people who helped me achieve my dream. Included in my acknowledgments was this paragraph to my brother, Dave:

Thank you to my brother for always challenging me and helping me improve this book. Your ideas, suggestions, and encouragement helped make this book the best it could be. I look forward to seeing your book next to mine in the bookstore.

Well, the wait is over, and I’m so happy that my brother has finally turned his many years of industry leadership and creative expertise into his first book, destined to make a big impact on teams and organizations. Why am I so confident? Dave has spent his entire career building personal, team, and organizational brands, and TIP is the culmination of his life’s work to date. A fantastic writer, an entertaining motivational speaker, and an inspiring leader and coach, Dave has crafted a game plan for your success.

Over the past 17 years, I’ve had the opportunity to speak to, and consult with, leaders of organizations, teams, and communities across the world. From NCAA champions to Super Bowl and World Series contenders, to the most highly respected and profitable Fortune 500 companies, there is one principle, when practiced well, that is consistent with high-performing teams and companies: personal accountability. A team will only succeed and a company will only grow when each person on that team is accountable for their own success and brings unique value to their role.

As my reputation and influence have grown as a speaker and author, I know the importance of consistency in words and actions when building a strong personal brand. Everything I do or say will have an effect on my life, my business, and the future of everyone around me. I am accountable for everyone close to me, so I live with one purpose: to create positive leaders, teams, and organizations, one person at a time.

After reading this book, and following Dave’s guidance, you will see how your reputation and the recognition you receive in your career and your life are very much in your own control. You just have to remember who you are, what you stand for, and live with a driving purpose to help others be their best.

—Jon Gordon

Author of The Power of Positive Leadership and The Energy Bus

I want to thank the many people who have helped me in my life and my career. This book, and the goal of being a published author, could not be possible without the love and support of so many.

First and foremost, I thank my wife, Kate. You believed in me long before I believed in myself. My best friend, tireless editor, harshest critic, biggest cheerleader, and loving coach; this story has always been for you. Thank you for being the guiding and unwavering force of our home, our business, and our lives.

For my children, Dylan, Shannon, and Megan. Your input throughout the editing process for this book was invaluable. The three of you have been my inspiration. It has always been my goal to help you find your unique talents, and give you the support to discover your path to happiness and lasting success. Being your dad helped me discover mine.

For my brother, Jon. Thank you for encouraging me to find my purpose. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.

Thank you to Shannon Vargo, Sally Baker, Peter Knox, Paul Dinovo, Vicki Adang, Deborah Schindlar, Matt Holt, and the team at John Wiley & Sons, for your guidance and expertise, every step of the way, as we brought this book to life.

To Scott Hudson for reading the book and sharing your suggestions to make it better. Your support and leadership continue to inspire me to always stand for my brand.

Thank you to my outstanding teammates at Gallagher and Gallagher Bassett. Every interaction is proof that a unique and thriving culture can be created and maintained for over 90 years, when you hire, coach, and train people who are aligned in a common purpose. #TheGallagherWay

To Kurt Leisure for sharing your risk management wisdom, and for never not being a representative of your brand.

To the leadership teams at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton Orlando. I continue to share your stories of exceptional service, engagement, and customer experience.

To John Branciforte. Our conversation was a “wow” moment for me, and for this book.

To Katie O’Grady, my fellow outlaw. You were the first outsider I trusted with the book, and I thank you for your insights as a successful sales professional.

To Sheralyn Hartline and all of the nurses who bring their best to work every day. Your dedication to your patients and their families continues to amaze and inspire me to always give more.

Thank you to the many clients who have brought me into your companies and trusted me to speak, coach, train, and help inspire high performance, better communication, and personal accountability in your people and your teams. A special thank you to Lori Arndt for being one of the first, many years ago, to trust me with your business, and your brand.

To the meeting planners and executives who value my engaging style of visual, motivational keynote presentations. Thank you for choosing me to create memorable experiences for your most important audiences. It’s what I love to do most.

To The Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars Program. It’s amazing where a great liberal arts education can take you.

I am also grateful for the authors and speakers that helped shape my career, and my business, with their words. As I think about this book one day sitting on someone’s shelf or desk as a resource and guide to a better career, I look at the many books in my own office and feel blessed to have them standing at the ready when I need encouragement to be the best leader, speaker, coach, writer, and person I can be. I don’t have personal relationships with most of these authors, but I want to thank them for sharing their expertise. Tom Peters, Pat Lencioni, Nancy Duarte, Ann Handley, Seth Godin, Dorie Clark, Dan Schawbel, Brené Brown, Daniel Pink, Carmine Gallo, Donald Miller, Jim Collins, John Medina, Michael Lewis, Malcolm Gladwell, Amy Cuddy, Randy Pausch, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Theodor Seuss Geisel, Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson, and Jon Gordon. Thank you for sharing your secrets to success. Your work has inspired and influenced me in ways you’ll never know.

Lastly, to my parents, Nancy and Joe. I miss you both, and wish you were here for just one more happy hour.