The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary [Hardcover]

Mark Sanborn (Author), John C. Maxwell (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: April 20, 2004

Meet Fred.

In his powerful new book The Fred Factor, motivational speaker Mark Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who passionately loves his job and who genuinely cares about the people he serves. Because of that, he is constantly going the extra mile handling the mail – and sometimes watching over the houses – of the people on his route, treating everyone he meets as a friend. Where others might see delivering mail as monotonous drudgery, Fred sees an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those he serves.

We’ve all encountered people like Fred in our lives. In The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn illuminates the simple steps each of us can take to transform our own lives from the ordinary – into the extraordinary. Sanborn, through stories about Fred and others like him, reveals the four basic principles that will help us bring fresh energy and creativity to our life and work: how to make a real difference everyday, how to become more successful by building strong relationships, how to create real value for others without spending a penny, and how to constantly reinvent yourself.

By following these principles, and by learning from and teaching other “Freds,” you, too, can excel in your career and make your life extraodinary. As Mark Sanborn makes clear, each of us has the potential be a Fred.The Fred Factor shows you how.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Fred Factor is a powerful, poignant parable of success. It’s about going the extra mile and always doing more than is expected. It is revolutionary, yet simple. It is life changing.”
--Brian Tracy, author of Focal Point and Goals: How to Get Everything You Want—Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Currency; 1st edition (April 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385513518
• ISBN-13: 978-0385513517
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (137 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Motivational

More About the Author

I am originally from Ohio but have lived in the Denver area for 25+ years. My business, Sanborn & Associates, Inc. is an idea studio for leadership development. I am a past president of The National Speakers Association. My book The Fred Factor was a WSJ, Business Week and NY Times bestseller. The sequel, Fred 2.0, will be released March 2013. I've spoken to over 2400 audiences in every state and a dozen countries. My passion is developing leaders in business and in life. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy writing it. I enjoy communicating with readers and sharing ideas, so please contact me directly at [e-mail].

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice review of the value of going the extra mail May 20, 2005

By Henry Cate III

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This short book focuses on a mailman Mark Sanborn met, a man named Fred. When the author first met Fred, Fred took an effort to get to know his new customer, and find ways to do a better job as a mailman. This book about the value of doing a better job, how to build relationships, and why we should take initiative. In short by going the extra mile we'll have a better life, and others will benefit.

It is a good book, and a short book. It is well written. The book is entertaining and at the same time makes many good points.

The first of four sections covers how the author met Fred the mailman, and how very quickly the author realized that Fred was a superstar mail carrier. The basics of what a "Fred" is are explored, and then the author mentions sightings of other "Freds."

The second section explains how you can become a Fred. Basically you need to build relationships with others so you know them well enough to then be able to be create, take initiative and make a difference.

The third section gives pointers on how you can help others grow into being Freds. The basic steps are to:

1) Find - how do you recognize a Fred

2) Reward - how should Freds be rewarded

3) Educate - how help people improve their Fredness

4) Demonstrate - model the correct behavior

The final section recounts the value and importance of being a Fred.

This is a book worth reading. It provides a good reminder and motivation to go the extra mile and do a better job.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't take much to stand out August 7, 2004

By Paul

Format:Hardcover

Ever had a waiter ask, "Somethin' to drink?" while you look at your menu? How about a hotel clerk that says "Help you" like a question or a secretary who says "may I ask what this is in reference to?" when you try to call someone? The fact is, we hear so many monotone responses so often that "excuse me" "nice to meet you" and "have a nice day" seem to have no meaning at all. But then there's Fred, the guy who looks you in the eye, goes the extra mile, and adds a personal touch to the service he provides you. In today's ever-so-competitive markets, you'd think the personal touch approach would be second nature. The thing is, it's not, and this probably won't change. Sanborn isn't trying to teach clever people a shortcut--he's simply trying to remind us that genuine effort and a personal approach will never go out of style.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Doing Ordinary Things In Extraordinary Ways... February 15, 2006

By Book Knurd

Format:Hardcover

Remember the last time someone went out of their way for you without expecting any reward? Sure seems like that doesn't happen very often anymore. Seemed like that to the author too. So when one person performed his ordinary job in an extraordinary way, the author was moved and inspired. And if you take this book to heart, it should have the same impact on you.

Don't expect any revolutionary concepts or complex methodologies. The message and call to action are simple and conveyed in a easy and brief manner. The author leads you from inspiration to action. Along the way the reading is peppered with examples of people acting in a "Fred" like way - doing more than expected. And there are a many tips...reminders actually, as we should be doing this stuff already...that will help the converted to adopt a Fred-like attitude/philosophy/lifestyle.

It's easy for me to dismiss most of these cutesy self-help books as short-lived propaganda intended more to sell books than to add value to our lives. But this book...well...it caught me by surprise. I enjoyed it, I related to it and I was moved and inspired by it. And I recommend it.