The Red Rubber Ball at Work: Elevate Your Game Through the Hidden Power of Play (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: New York City, South Bronx, Maribel Lieberman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This entertaining, pocket-sized book builds on Carroll's self-help series with profiles of 33 successful workers who illustrate the value of "productive play" (as opposed to "playful play," not serious enough for work). Most of the subjects are in fields where the value of play is obvious: 12 are artists or performers, 11 are in design and marketing, and six are founders of public interest organizations. Advice from a professional wrestler, alchemist, graffiti artist, futurist or "director of user experience" may not apply to readers with more conventional jobs, but most people will be able to identify with at least a handful of subjects. Though the larger lesson seems to be self-apparent (the way to have fun at work is to choose a playful career), the book is nevertheless inspiring and clever, with a lively layout and energetic writing.
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Product Description

How do you ignite creativity, problem solving, and risk taking to score big in business? According to bestselling author Kevin Carroll, it’s child’s play!

Former 76ers athletic trainer Kevin Carroll, has turned his childhood passion for playing ball into a bestselling franchise. In this fun and thoughtful follow-up to his bestselling Rules of the Red Rubber Ball (2007), Carroll switches the playing field to the workplace, where innovation, motivation, engagement, and teamwork are the headline issues. Drawing on “play profiles” from thought leaders, change agents, and business leaders, he explains how to bring a sense of play into the workplace to stimulate creativity, encourage risk-taking, achieve goals--and have a great time doing it.

Fully illustrated, with 31 profiles of successful “players” including ESPN president George Bodenheimer, bestselling authors Seth Godin and Malcolm Gladwell, Food Network host Duff Goldman, South Bronx activist Majora Carter, renowned author Paulo Coehlo, and many others

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071599444
• ISBN-13: 978-0071599443
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #209,932 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very intriguing point of view - worthwhile read, December 28, 2008

By	Reg Nordman "(K)nights on the Road" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Interesting thesis. Ask people who have made a difference in the world, to talk about a defining moment of play that has affected who they are today. Using five topic areas the author organizes the small vignettes. The topics are ; innovation, results,teamwork, leadership & curiosity. Kevin Carroll is the also the author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball and What's Your Red Rubber Ball?! He travels the globe speaking to businesses and to young people about the importance of sport and play in life. He is an advocate in the Sport for Social Change movement. Find out more at http://www.rrbatwork.com/about/. This is a very enjoyable, quickly read book, that just may adjust your attitude. It will certainly give you more stories to tell.

5.0 out of 5 stars Graduation gift, May 19, 2009

By	BLG "The Assistant" (TN, USA) - See all my reviews

Traditionally, people like to give Dr. Seuss's "Oh, The Places You'll Go" as a graduation gift. I think this is better - more mature and realistic for young people to think about when trying to choose a career path at a young age.