Janitor: How an Unexpected Friendship Transformed a Ceo and His Company

by Todd Hopkins

Do you ever find yourself losing sight of the important things in life-work and stress can become overwhelming at times. Such is the situation where CEO Roger Kimbrough finds himself in this business parable. The Janitor was inspired by Todd Hopkins's personal experiences of interviewing overqualified retired businessmen for evening shift janitorial positions. Todd's applicants consistently would say they simply needed something to do. In this fable, janitor Bob Tidwell helps Roger to reevaluate how he is leading his business and his life. Bob's counsel is based upon six principles that Todd and coauthor Ray Hilbert discovered have the most impact on succeeding in business while holding together a personal life. Their insightful advice is delivered in a real-to-life story that inspires you to find greater fulfillment in your life. Like so many CEOs in the corner office, still working when the janitor arrives to do the nightly cleaning, Roger is having a difficult and stressful evening when he spills his guts to the older janitor. As their relationship develops, Bob, a retired businessman, promises help that will turn Roger's business and personal life around. The story follows not only their weekly meetings at the office but also the application of each The Janitor 's message will capture your mind and heart; stimulate meaningful, lasting life-changes; and show you how to influence your family, neighbors, and coworkers while experiencing business and life to the fullest. "Take a few minutes and devour this little book by Todd Hopkins and Ray Hilbert. It's going to be a motivational classic, and you'll be in on the first wave of inspired readers." - Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic; and Author, The Warrior Within

Genres: Business, Leadership, Self Help, Nonfiction, Christian

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written as a kind of parable/story in which a janitor gives six directives for life that his wife taught him to a CEO who is struggling with balancing work and family life. The six directives are marvelous, and although primarily aimed at those who own businesses or are in leadership positions, they definitely apply to anyone, Christian and non-Christian alike. The principles will help anyone look at their priorities differently, and, as a result, enjoy life more if they are applied.

[Angela Chon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you lost with your life? I was till I read this book. This book The Janitor written by Todd Hopkins gives you so many wisdom about how you can enjoy your life without getting stressed out. I really enjoyed reading this book. I first read this book in Korean and this is my first time reading it in English. I cried reading this book twice. This book gives a lot of good advice with how you can have a happier life. Bob was my favorite character because he was so wise and he was so caring to other. This book got my really emotional and taught me a lot of things to help me in my life. Bob gives Roger Six directive and my favorite one was "Recharge versus discharge" This was the first directive. The reason why this was my favorite one. When Bob said "Burned up brain just won't start unless you recharged them back." Bob explained by telling his own story about building a bird house and how that helped him learned hoe to recharge everyday after work or during the work. I might be just a student but I still get a lot of stress from doing my homework and getting a good grade in school. If there is something I can't do, I get stressed out and my brain will just shut down on me. When this happens I start to paint or listen to music to help my recharge. This really helps to clam me down and helps me with m stress. Out of all of the directive, the first one helps me the most in my life. There are more directive I like but I don't want to spoil them so I wont talk about the rest. To me this book is like my small guide to have a better life. I would so recommend this book to any students but especially to parents having hard time with there job life and their family life. When you feel like you don't know what to do I would ask you to read this book. Everyone can learn at least one thing that can help them get through hard time. I would say that this book genre is wisdom. Overall I really enjoyed reading this book even though it made me cry at the end I still learned so much wisdom and knowledge with how to live my life without being lost.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contrived, but even worse, a stereotypical picture of Christianity.

Near the end of the book, Jesus is compared to a compass, and it is said there is only one true way to live life. Well, obviously there is more than one successful way to live life and they don’t all include Jesus.

The prosperity gospel isn’t even disguised. If you pray, everything will magically work out. For example, the major client of the main character’s company puts pressure on them to lower their prices to compete with a new lower offer. However, in the end, the company decides to pay more money to stay as a client of the main character. What? Business doesn’t work like this.

My last caveat is that all the women in the book are either submissive to their husbands, or giving their husbands the “silent treatment”. Women in real life should be allowed to and are able to communicate better than this. We don’t sit around and complain when our husbands are working hard. We don’t send them codes messages through gifts of expensive watches. And we are not disappointed when we have to go out and get a job to help contribute to our family because our husband took a risk and started a new business venture.

If only this book was based on real people and true stories with lots of evidence backed up by facts, say like one of Malcolm Gladwell’s. I’m sure there are examples of Christian families and Godly men and women who have overcome similar struggles, but it certainly didn’t happen like this fairytale.

[Pratiksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book talks about the 6 principles that help you keep the much sought after work-life balance. Some of the principles were bang on,

first one - "recharge vs discharge" - basically, if you're well rested you might be able to get the pile of undone things done sooner.

second one- "family is a blessing" - instead of worrying about demand for family being a drain on your busy work life, appreciate why you're working in the first place

fifth one - "eternal value of actions" - basically, think of the effort you're putting in, and the outcome its generating. think of effort as an investment vs an expenditure. be as mindful about spending effort as you are with money

While some of the other principles seemed a little too spiritual and not really relatable, I still see the point in pondering over your problems, and trying to come up with a calm solution.

[Jay Zartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read and told in a story perspective which I could relate too. There’s a character named Bob who tells directives to a young businessman and one of those directors really spoke to me at this season of my life which was “see your family as a blessing not a responsibility.” Great reminder to relax and enjoy time with the family and not to just see all the things I “have” to do but be in the moment.

[Peggy Sue 33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. My mom first gave it to me when I was around age 9 I think because I was struggling to find books at my reading level and it was so unique of a story for me to grasp at that age. Even today, it still sits proudly on my shelf and reminds me of the lessons it preaches. I feel like parts of it really to parallel the hidden joys of life and that was part of what interested me all those years ago. Would definitely reccomend.

[Utsav Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whattaaaa amazing tale!! Can’t describe it in words and I just can’t live it more! 10000% must read this one. I completed this within fifty hours with my regular job and business.

Six directives to remember:
1. Recharge vs discharge: a burned up brain won’t start.
2. View family as a blessing, not a responsibility.
3. Pray, don’t pout.
4. Pass it around.
5. Don’t spend, invest.
6. Leave a legacy.

[Joseph Rwabose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Janitor, is one of my all time favorite books that i have bought copies for friends & family.

Within just 150pages the authors teach 6 beautiful & very memorable lessons impactful for everyone on this journey called life. This is a book to read atleast once each year, accompanied with some 'green tea' (you will get once you read the book)

[Becky Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a Women in Technology group at work. Being new to my career, this book had so many eye opening tips that I could take away. Treat everybody with equality and think about how your decisions impact every aspect of your life

[Jim Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GREAT little book. Every pastor or leader of men or women should read. It is not a Christian book but rather a book on leadership. One best books on leadership I have ever read. I have purchased and given I would guess 50 copies away over the last few years.

[Kernita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

It's not often that I have the opportunity of reading a book that is both meaningful and interesting. This book impacted me by reminding me of some simple life principles that help to bring value to life. Highly recommended.

[Stephanie & Cuatro Strack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, Highly recommend

Could not put this book down, great and easy read that can help everybody, especially guys who get busy with work and loose their direction. Read it today!

[Teresa Allumbaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me...kind of cheesy. Really short story and to the point. Great message though.

[Karen Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Achieve a higher level of success in business and life by implementing the 6 directives. Truly inspiration and insights that transform. Karen Briscoe, author and podcast host 5 Minute Success

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book.... May need to read it again. It could help you find the balance and focus you need to get back on track.

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father kept a copy of this book. He once told me, "Read this. It will show you how to value people." I finished it in one sitting, but the lessons will be with me forever.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, some good paraboles to take away.

[Hannah Brandenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, excellent lesson.

[CJ]

Does life sometimes seem like it happens too fast for anyone to handle? Well that was the situation Roger was in as the CEO of Triple A enterprises. He felt as if he lost all control of what was going on around him. That included the time he spent with his family, as well the time he spent in his office. Many people experience this on a regular basis, which is considered a loss of time management. One can only hope for a solution to help get their life back on track.
Bob Tidwell, the nighttime janitor at the Triple A enterprises was about to change Rogers faith. With the help of his late wife’s objectives, he turned Rogers life around. Who would think that six little changes in life could alter the outcome of something dramatically? For example, Rogers’s marriage was hanging on by a thread, and one of the objectives saved that. It stated that when in time of chaos, drop everything and enjoy an activity without thinking about the work that needs to be done.
While reading this story, I realized that stress could really take a major toll on a person if they do not know how to channel it. For example, personally, I know that if I let stress get the best of me, I physically shut down, and I’m not able to function fully until my stress levels drop significantly. Reading this story, and applying Bob’s objectives to my own life have really changed things. Bob’s insight on life also left a lasting impression on me. There was something he said that stands out of the entire book to me; he said, “Imagine you are looking at John Smith’s gravestone. Forget the two dates. Just concentrate on the space between the two. What happened there? What did that life contribute? After the second date formed the final bookend of that person’s time on earth, what was left behind?” This quote makes me look at life in a whole new light. Everything that is done in between those dates define who a person is, and what they are remembered for. This means that people should be conscious about making the best of their lives, and not stress little things that really don’t matter.
There are going to be certain things in life that seem important because of the time and manner in which they happen. What we all need to realize it what are we over looking that matters more than the things that seem more important? Is it family? Is it friends? Were certain events missed? Priorities need to be weighed. This story can really open peoples mind as to what is worth all of the stress and time. No matter what status in life, everyone deals with struggles that ultimately affect us all equally as there is a sense of loss on control. It’s up to those struggling people to find solutions to their issues.

[Dewayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a short and easy to read story filled with six simple directives statements that can change way you want to live out your life. Using an unexpected relationship between a CEO and janitor its easy to get started and keep turning the pages on this story as the directives are defined and then immediately applied in real life scenarios. This is a book worth keeping on the shelf to read multiple times or passing on to someone else looking for guidance in life during challenging or uncertain times.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 6 directives are valuable guides to live by. The fictional yet realistic story helped me see how they relate to my life and how following them can improve my life. I found it interesting that the final directive, "pass it on" and "leave a legacy" were followed by a friend of mine who recommended the book to me. Thank you George for recommending this book. I will follow in your foot steps and pass this book onto another friend, and hopeful it will impact their life in as much as a possitive way as it has impacted our lives.

[Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another parable / business book based around a set of principles.

This book interested me because I own a janitor company and have worked through some of the same issues particularly in balancing family and work.

Of the 'six directives' the one that struck me most was #5 which says "Don't spend, invest". When one is concentrating on his/her agenda, he is spending. When one is focused on God's agenda, he is investing.

Good points, fast read, OK story, not particularly challenging.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a quick read about the beauty of doing the right thing and how it can help you get ahead. It is a bit sappy and cheesy but the idea is nice. It is more religious than what I believe but I think the concepts are sound and are things that people should try to emulate in their life. It talks about the balance between work and life and how to make sure you get what you actually need out of it all.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read of a short story or parable. I enjoyed the book, and I thought the ideas expressed were valuable. This is not the kind of book that will change the face of literature, but it does have the potential to change the perspective of an individual. It contains a wonderful reminder that each of us is NOT the victim of our circumstances - but each is empowered to make daily (even hourly) choices that can turn anything around.

[Julie Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My supervisor gave me this book to read when we were going through a transition in how we were documenting services, a very stressful thing to do when you want to maintain quality of work within a designated time. I found it a very quick read and in spirational with simple yet effective thoughts to keep in mind to help balance work without sacrificing home life. This book does reflect the Christian beliefs by using examples.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this on a trip with mom and dad on our grand trip to the "Copper Canyon's" of Mexico. Their big grand canyon when we took the train trip from El Paso into central Mexico. A very good read that reminds you where you are in the pecking order of life is only important if you know it is not important.

[Jbrannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. It should be required reading for every husband and father. I made the first half the subject of one men's retreat for my church and we will cover the second half later in the year.

[Vamshi Krishna Pendyala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Janitor by chance(now calling it lucky) when my friend had two books in his hand and I snatched this one from him playfully and read it. It is an amazing book where in the author drives into our minds some important things to follow illustrating with various experiences of the CEO.

[Paulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Directive 1: Recharge vs Discharge
Directive 2: View Family as a Blessing, not a responsibility.
Directive 3: Pray; Don't Pout.
Directive 4: Pass It Around
Directive 5: Don't Spend, Invest.
Directive 6: Leave a Legacy; don't just take from the past.

[SHELBY · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC!

Directive 1: Recharge vs Discharge
Directive 2: View Family as a Blessing, not a responsibility.
Directive 3: Pray; Don't Pout.
Directive 4: Pass It Around
Directive 5: Don't Spend, Invest.
Directive 6: Leave a Legacy; don't just take from the past.