The Fred Factor - by Mark Sanborn (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this parable for a modern age, motivational speaker Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who passionately loves his work and who genuinely cares about the people he serves. Sanborn illuminates the simple steps each person can to transform their lives from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Book Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The true story of a seemingly ordinary mail carrier whose approach to work and life has the power to transform the everyday into the extraordinary

"This beloved business classic has inspired millions of people over the years, and today Mark Sanborn's transformative insights are more timely and necessary than ever."--Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus and co-author of The Coffee Bean

Meet Fred.

In this small yet powerful book, Mark Sanborn, member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, recounts the story of a USPS carrier who introduced himself one day shortly after Sanborn had moved to a new home in Denver. Fred, however, was no average mailman.

As Sanborn came to discover, Fred was the kind of worker who exemplifies everything "right" with customer service. Did people want packages left on the porch or prefer a notice to pick them up at the post office? Fred made sure he knew the answer. When another delivery service left a package at the wrong house, Fred shepherded it safely to the intended recipient. Others might have seen delivering mail as less-than-glamorous work, but Fred seized the chance to find meaning in the mundane, competing with himself every day to find opportunities to make his customers smile.

We've all encountered people like Fred. In this deeply inspiring book, Sanborn illuminates the four basic principles anyone can use to bring fresh energy and creativity to our work and life: how to make a tangible difference every day, build stronger relationships, create real value for others without spending a penny, and constantly reinvent yourself.

Review Quotes

"This beloved business classic has inspired millions of people over the years, and today Mark Sanborn's transformative insights are more timely and necessary than ever, with employees increasingly hungry for ways to find meaning in the mundane and power in their purpose."--Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus and co-author of The Coffee Bean

"High Point University lives and breathes the idea of 'Choose to be extraordinary.' The Fred Factor, a modern classic, is the seminal book on how to do that. And Sanborn's expertise in extraordinary leadership is one of the reasons we asked him to serve as the university's Leadership Expert in Residence."--Nido R. Qubein, president of High Point University

"I promise that if you take Mark Sanborn's advice to heart and begin a more Fred-like existence, you will never view yourself the same way again."--John C. Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

"The story of Fred inspired our team to look at how we can make every interaction with our fans unforgettable. You don't have to be in the C-suite to make a difference. Fred shows us that the smallest things can make a big difference and provide tremendous value."--Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas

"Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, The Fred Factor remains an indispensable guide to transforming ordinary into extraordinary with its timeless wisdom. Mark Sanborn's compelling story of his mailman who turns drudgery into a calling is more relevant today than ever before."--Skip Prichard, president and CEO of OCLC and author of The Book of Mistakes

About the Author

MARK SANBORN is an international known author, motivational speaker, and the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea studio for leadership development. He gives nearly one hundred presentations each year on leadership, team building, customer service, and mastering change. Mark and his family live near Denver, Colorado.