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Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership
Transform your leadership from ordinary to extraordinary with this guidebook from a seasoned business leader and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Virtually every problem can be traced back to one root cause: leadership. Far too many leaders are struggling, merely maintaining the status quo and unable to find the way forward. What these leaders need is a fresh take on how to unlock their full potential.
Uncommon Greatness is the key many leaders have been searching for their entire career. This book will reframe much of what you know about traditional leadership theory and practice, challenge some of your deeply held assumptions, and provide scores of practical and concrete ideas you can use today.
Former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A, Inc., Mark Miller believes it’s possible for all leaders to lead at a higher level and increase their impact on the world. Uncommon Greatness offers every leader the opportunity to:
• Achieve unprecedented levels of performance
• Discover new levels of joy and fulfillment from your work
• Become a leader people want to follow
• Create impact beyond your wildest imagination
Every leader has a choice to make when it comes to how they lead. What are you striving for? Don’t settle for mere greatness! Raise your sights. Uncommon Greatness is within your reach.
Virtually every problem can be traced back to one root cause: leadership. Far too many leaders are struggling, merely maintaining the status quo and unable to find the way forward. What these leaders need is a fresh take on how to unlock their full potential.
Uncommon Greatness is the key many leaders have been searching for their entire career. This book will reframe much of what you know about traditional leadership theory and practice, challenge some of your deeply held assumptions, and provide scores of practical and concrete ideas you can use today.
Former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A, Inc., Mark Miller believes it’s possible for all leaders to lead at a higher level and increase their impact on the world. Uncommon Greatness offers every leader the opportunity to:
• Achieve unprecedented levels of performance
• Discover new levels of joy and fulfillment from your work
• Become a leader people want to follow
• Create impact beyond your wildest imagination
Every leader has a choice to make when it comes to how they lead. What are you striving for? Don’t settle for mere greatness! Raise your sights. Uncommon Greatness is within your reach.
- GenresLeadership
272 pages, Hardcover
Published February 27, 2024
18 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 29, 2025
I studied this book with several of my industry peers at different organizations and loved applying it to our contexts. I also loved all of Mark’s examples of men AND WOMEN(!) in leadership from historical periods to the modern era. All the research and data as well as free online resources provided within the pages were eye opening and so helpful! I will definitely be recommending this book to anyone seeking to grow as a leader of people.
January 23, 2024
There are a lot (A LOT) of books about leadership, its elements and characteristics, what makes a great leader, how to lead, etc. Mark Miller’s niche is concisely providing nuggets about leadership, either through his “business fables” or through his three traditional leadership books, of which UNCOMMON GREATNESS is his third. UNCOMMON GREATNESS identifies five fundamentals to guide and challenge leaders to become great. And not only that … to encourage greatness in others. Backed up by years of practical experience and tons of research, Miller once again delivers a valuable resource for leaders at any stage of their careers. Highly recommend!!
February 22, 2024
This book is the distillation of decades of leadership and industry experience. I’m no stranger to Mark Miller’s work and I too have “sold chicken” for the world’s most caring company for 15 years. I love that this book’s focus is on BEING, not doing. It’s easy to read books, but more challenging to BE a learner. It’s simple to conduct surveys and reviews, but harder to listen deeply. It’s simple enough to build systems for success, but difficult to implement them with care.
Leaders exhibit care. In the way they treat others, in the way they cast vision, and in the way they impact lives, leaders CARE.
I’m truly grateful for the ARC I received from LeadEveryDay. I’m looking forward to sharing this book and these concepts with my Operator and team at Chick-fil-A Bush River Road!!
Leaders exhibit care. In the way they treat others, in the way they cast vision, and in the way they impact lives, leaders CARE.
I’m truly grateful for the ARC I received from LeadEveryDay. I’m looking forward to sharing this book and these concepts with my Operator and team at Chick-fil-A Bush River Road!!
February 27, 2024
I actually really enjoyed this read - way more than I thought I was going to initially. Mainly because my preference in non-fiction is anything relating to outdoors/animals. However, upon seeing this title I had a good feeling about it! Stepping outside of my box with this one turned out to be extremely rewarding and motivational.
I found it to be really eye-opening and I love the format/layout. I’m not currently a leader of anything in particular, but I’d love to volunteer as a counselor for a kids summer camp at some point and definitely would like to play a more active role in our church! This book was a fantastic read in helping me grasp more of an idea behind leadership pertaining to things of this nature! ❤️
I found it to be really eye-opening and I love the format/layout. I’m not currently a leader of anything in particular, but I’d love to volunteer as a counselor for a kids summer camp at some point and definitely would like to play a more active role in our church! This book was a fantastic read in helping me grasp more of an idea behind leadership pertaining to things of this nature! ❤️
February 1, 2024
I’ve read and benefitted from all of Mark Miller’s books. In his new book Uncommon Greatness, based on research that included more than four thousand leaders from six countries, he explores the five Fundamentals leaders need to study, practice, develop, and pursue. After the introduction of each Fundamental, which includes examples of those who have demonstrated that Fundamental, there is an entire chapter devoted to best practices and strategies to help you apply what you just read about.
In defining Uncommon Greatness, as opposed to common greatness, the author tells us that Uncommon Greatness is evident by the impact the leader has on others. It releases untapped human potential allowing people and organizations to flourish, creating enduring value. The author challenges, equips and inspires leaders to never settle for mere common greatness again, and tells us that the pursuit of Uncommon Greatness will always encounter opposition.
To pursue Uncommon Greatness, leaders must constantly ask and answer this question: How can I add the most value in this situation? The Fundamentals of Uncommon Greatness represent five strategic ways every leader can and must add value. The five Fundamentals are:
• See the Future
• Engage and Develop Others
• Reinvent Continuously
• Value Results and Relationships
• Embody a Leaders Heart
Here are a few helpful quotes from the book about each Fundamental:
See the Future
• Real leadership always begins with a picture of the future. Vision is an indispensable ingredient for effective leadership.
• Leaders see the unseen, and then work to make it a reality for all to see.
• Any significant transformational vision will encounter opposition.
• The best leaders learn from the past but they never live there.
• The best decisions are almost always made with a long view in mind.
• There is something scarier than change – attempting to stay the same.
Engage and Develop Others
• When you think about who you will invite to join your team, aim high.
• Only organizations with engaged team members excel over the long haul.
• Leaders must commit to lifelong learning and rally their entire organization to do the same.
• Compliance is the seedbed for mediocrity, and commitment is the fuel for sustained levels of elite performance.
• Managers want to control people, and leaders want to empower and release them. There is a fundamental difference.
Reinvent Continuously
• If you are not learning, growing, and improving, it will be extremely difficult for you to muster the moral authority to inspire those around you to do so. People always watch the leader.
• If you will Reinvent Continuously, you create the best odds for your long-term relevance, vitality and contribution as a leader.
• Creative thinking is the ability to generate viable options. When the skill of creative thinking is applied to our biggest problems and opportunities, a new world of possibilities emerges.
• When you want to think creatively about anything, you will have to escape your own preconceived notions, and maybe the conventional wisdom of the world, and at least for a moment, put aside what you know to be true.
• To create and sustain productive and purposeful change is the ultimate responsibility of every leader.
Value Results and Relationships
• The best leaders overcome their personal bias and learn to Value both Results and Relationships.
• One of the greatest gifts a coach can provide is perspective.
• When you expend the effort to know someone at a human level, you honor them.
Embody a Leader’s Heart
• People follow leaders they trust. And they trust leaders whose character is on full display.
• The best leaders start with their heart before they attempt to win the hearts of others.
• Virtually everything you do as a leader requires courage. Sometimes in small doses and other times in massive amounts.
• People want to follow leaders who have the interest of others at heart.
• The single biggest factor that will determine your leadership efficacy, influence, and impact over time is your heart.
• The best leaders are learners, period. It is their voracious, insatiable desire to learn and grow that enables them to serve well over the long haul.
• Learning needs to become a lifestyle, a worldview, and a significant part of your identity as a leader.
• Leaders who will not admit their mistakes are at great risk. Their job may not be on the line, but their leadership is.
The book concludes with the author showing how all of the Fundamentals converged and were embodied in one of his leadership heroes, Truett Cathy. The author tells us that Uncommon Greatness is ultimately measured by the impact we have on those around us.
Included in the book is access to a free Uncommon Greatness digital self-assessment and help with your next steps.
"Uncommon Greatness" is a well-written and practical book, based on research. It would be an excellent book to read with your leadership team or mentee.
In defining Uncommon Greatness, as opposed to common greatness, the author tells us that Uncommon Greatness is evident by the impact the leader has on others. It releases untapped human potential allowing people and organizations to flourish, creating enduring value. The author challenges, equips and inspires leaders to never settle for mere common greatness again, and tells us that the pursuit of Uncommon Greatness will always encounter opposition.
To pursue Uncommon Greatness, leaders must constantly ask and answer this question: How can I add the most value in this situation? The Fundamentals of Uncommon Greatness represent five strategic ways every leader can and must add value. The five Fundamentals are:
• See the Future
• Engage and Develop Others
• Reinvent Continuously
• Value Results and Relationships
• Embody a Leaders Heart
Here are a few helpful quotes from the book about each Fundamental:
See the Future
• Real leadership always begins with a picture of the future. Vision is an indispensable ingredient for effective leadership.
• Leaders see the unseen, and then work to make it a reality for all to see.
• Any significant transformational vision will encounter opposition.
• The best leaders learn from the past but they never live there.
• The best decisions are almost always made with a long view in mind.
• There is something scarier than change – attempting to stay the same.
Engage and Develop Others
• When you think about who you will invite to join your team, aim high.
• Only organizations with engaged team members excel over the long haul.
• Leaders must commit to lifelong learning and rally their entire organization to do the same.
• Compliance is the seedbed for mediocrity, and commitment is the fuel for sustained levels of elite performance.
• Managers want to control people, and leaders want to empower and release them. There is a fundamental difference.
Reinvent Continuously
• If you are not learning, growing, and improving, it will be extremely difficult for you to muster the moral authority to inspire those around you to do so. People always watch the leader.
• If you will Reinvent Continuously, you create the best odds for your long-term relevance, vitality and contribution as a leader.
• Creative thinking is the ability to generate viable options. When the skill of creative thinking is applied to our biggest problems and opportunities, a new world of possibilities emerges.
• When you want to think creatively about anything, you will have to escape your own preconceived notions, and maybe the conventional wisdom of the world, and at least for a moment, put aside what you know to be true.
• To create and sustain productive and purposeful change is the ultimate responsibility of every leader.
Value Results and Relationships
• The best leaders overcome their personal bias and learn to Value both Results and Relationships.
• One of the greatest gifts a coach can provide is perspective.
• When you expend the effort to know someone at a human level, you honor them.
Embody a Leader’s Heart
• People follow leaders they trust. And they trust leaders whose character is on full display.
• The best leaders start with their heart before they attempt to win the hearts of others.
• Virtually everything you do as a leader requires courage. Sometimes in small doses and other times in massive amounts.
• People want to follow leaders who have the interest of others at heart.
• The single biggest factor that will determine your leadership efficacy, influence, and impact over time is your heart.
• The best leaders are learners, period. It is their voracious, insatiable desire to learn and grow that enables them to serve well over the long haul.
• Learning needs to become a lifestyle, a worldview, and a significant part of your identity as a leader.
• Leaders who will not admit their mistakes are at great risk. Their job may not be on the line, but their leadership is.
The book concludes with the author showing how all of the Fundamentals converged and were embodied in one of his leadership heroes, Truett Cathy. The author tells us that Uncommon Greatness is ultimately measured by the impact we have on those around us.
Included in the book is access to a free Uncommon Greatness digital self-assessment and help with your next steps.
"Uncommon Greatness" is a well-written and practical book, based on research. It would be an excellent book to read with your leadership team or mentee.
March 23, 2024
Transform your Leadership
There are shelves full of books on leadership and yet there is always room for more. Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership is one of those books you’ll want to add to your leadership collection. The author, Mark Miller, lays out the five fundamentals in easy-to-read chapters with a mix of personal antidotes, stories, and narratives. The five fundamentals tackle: See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships, and Embody a Leader's Heart. My copy of Mark’s book has notes and underlined text on over half the pages. As an example, in the chapter, Embody a Leader’s Heart: Ideas for Action, five heart habits are identified that move us from common to uncommon leadership: hunger for wisdom, expect the best, accept responsibility, respond with courage, and think others first. Under think others first, there are subsets of action steps: add value, listen to understand, and lead with empathy. As you read, underline and circle words, draw arrows—whatever you need to do to remember what you need to revisit later. You will cultivate wisdom throughout the pages and be blessed many times over.
There are shelves full of books on leadership and yet there is always room for more. Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership is one of those books you’ll want to add to your leadership collection. The author, Mark Miller, lays out the five fundamentals in easy-to-read chapters with a mix of personal antidotes, stories, and narratives. The five fundamentals tackle: See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships, and Embody a Leader's Heart. My copy of Mark’s book has notes and underlined text on over half the pages. As an example, in the chapter, Embody a Leader’s Heart: Ideas for Action, five heart habits are identified that move us from common to uncommon leadership: hunger for wisdom, expect the best, accept responsibility, respond with courage, and think others first. Under think others first, there are subsets of action steps: add value, listen to understand, and lead with empathy. As you read, underline and circle words, draw arrows—whatever you need to do to remember what you need to revisit later. You will cultivate wisdom throughout the pages and be blessed many times over.
March 4, 2024
As a fan of Mark Miller, I was excited to get my hands on "Uncommon Greatness," and it didn't disappoint! The book takes Miller's thoughts and leadership to a new level, and the research backing his insights into the five habits of truly uncommon leaders is refreshing and easily applicable. Moreover, each chapter explains the fundamentals and provides practical ways to implement them daily. The focus on empowering others and maximizing value in every situation truly resonated with me, and it's a thought-provoking style for everyday leadership. Although the journey to uncommon greatness is challenging, Miller equips readers with the tools and inspiration to overcome challenges and make a lasting impact. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and make a difference in their lives.
April 17, 2024
The author promises that we will be able to achieve "uncommon greatness" by reading the points in his book. It was overall a good read... easy to follow and had some good points. He said that he wrote this book for:
I think he did a great job bringing all this information together without it feeling overwhelming. I was able to read it in a few hours while also taking notes, meaning, it kept me engaged and wanting to flip the page.
I always love to see Truett Cathy stories and he told one of my favorite ones at the end of the book!
- believe they can make a difference in their world
- care deeply about personal excellence
- are energized by producing tangible results
I think he did a great job bringing all this information together without it feeling overwhelming. I was able to read it in a few hours while also taking notes, meaning, it kept me engaged and wanting to flip the page.
I always love to see Truett Cathy stories and he told one of my favorite ones at the end of the book!
February 3, 2024
Uncommon Greatness is categorized as a business book. This writer would argue that said category should be changed to “cross-disciplinary application”. Author Mark Miller did not hesitate to crate a Five Fundamental toolkit that could be applied to numerous fields and applications. Having spent the bulk of my career in education and non-profits, I can attest to the fact that this guide will be invaluable to numerous sectors instead of merely business men and women. Uncommon Greatness will be extremely beneficial to anyone from firefighters, to teachers to consultants. The end of the book contains a lengthy section chock full of resources. Highly Recommended! Job well done!
February 9, 2024
Athletes know that the fundamentals of their sport are the building blocks to success. Consistent practice of the fundamentals are required before an athlete can move to greatness. Mark Miller gives leaders five fundamentals to hone if they want to move their leadership to greatness. Mark doesn’t stop there, he focuses in on the Leader’s Heart as the key to take your leadership to the next level-from common to Uncommon Greatness! The best part about the book are the ideas for action included at the end of each fundamental. They provide tangible ways to quickly improve your leadership. If you want to grow and become an uncommon leader you need to read Uncommon Greatness!#UncommonGreatness
March 7, 2025
I read this book for leadership development training for Chick-Fil-A. I thought it would be a book I only read to cross off the list but I actually really enjoyed it! I listened to the audio book and his voice is upbeat, soothing, and easy to listen to and follow! What I love about Mark is how much he emphasizes how being a great leader involves relationships with your team. Really get to know them and to care about their lives! As a people person and leader who loves people, I felt very validated and excited haha. Though the book was definitely a little repetitive and simple at times, it’s definitely a good basic, overall covering of good leadership principals.
February 13, 2024
Timeless principles for a leadership journey.
Mark Miller’s works have been shaping the leadership landscape for years. Uncommon Greatness is another excellent addition towards his goal to improve the world of work. The SERVE fundamentals are foundational for aspiring, new, and tenured leaders alike. All of the fundamentals are key, but I especially am intrigued on Reinvent Continuously and Value Results and Relationships. These areas are ones that I’ll be spending some attention in the short term as I establish the entire SERVE framework in my daily life.
Mark Miller’s works have been shaping the leadership landscape for years. Uncommon Greatness is another excellent addition towards his goal to improve the world of work. The SERVE fundamentals are foundational for aspiring, new, and tenured leaders alike. All of the fundamentals are key, but I especially am intrigued on Reinvent Continuously and Value Results and Relationships. These areas are ones that I’ll be spending some attention in the short term as I establish the entire SERVE framework in my daily life.
February 16, 2024
In "Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership" Mark Miller says, "To pursue Uncommon Greatness, leaders must constantly ask and answer this question: How can I add the most value in this situation?" He then goes on to tell you about five fundamentals to transform your leadership.
His fundamentals are a little different than things that you have heard before but I believe they could be very useful for anyone to work on. The most impactful fundamental for me is Embody A Leader's Heart.
His fundamentals are a little different than things that you have heard before but I believe they could be very useful for anyone to work on. The most impactful fundamental for me is Embody A Leader's Heart.
February 21, 2024
Mark Miller provides another excellent resource for leaders who are striving for a higher level of excellence....Uncommon Greatness reminds us that leadership is about your people and your HEART towards them....the chapters on How To Apply the teachings were new and an effective piece to this book....I look forward to applying these fundamentals provided by leadership expert, Mark Miller, as I reach to be a better leader for our people.
February 26, 2024
Mark delivers another well researched, engaging and inspiring read! His renewed vision for his classic leadership methods will be refreshing for those who follow him, and truly insightful for anyone new to his ideas.
The writing has a great rhythm and keeps attention, and the ideas are spaced well so that each has its own space to contemplate and put into action. This one is a recommendation, and instant classic!
The writing has a great rhythm and keeps attention, and the ideas are spaced well so that each has its own space to contemplate and put into action. This one is a recommendation, and instant classic!
April 5, 2024
Mark Miller has been writing leadership books and teaching in leadership programs for decades. This book is his new take on leadership--a culmination of all his thought. It's got a lot of ideas that he's shared before, but arranged a little differently and with some updates based on his world class experience leading.
If you're looking for a definition of great leadership, this is a good place to start!
If you're looking for a definition of great leadership, this is a good place to start!
July 26, 2024
Being a big Mark Miller fan, I loved this book. It came at a great time, given my team's desire to lean into the SERVE model, I was pleasantly surprised to see this book is 100% a breakdown of SERVE leadership. For context, SERVE stands for See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships and Embody a Leader's Heart. As I've reflected on this, I think it's an incredible summation of many critical parts to developing and living as a leader.
February 15, 2024
This may have been one of my favortie leadership books I have ever read. Maybe it was the timing of the book of my life, or mayb it was just that good. Mark has always done a phenomenal job of encouraging you to be a better leader by explaning how you can be one. I would encourage anyone to read this book who is in a leadership position of any capacity.
February 27, 2024
It's launch day for this great leadership tool!!! If you are a leader, or you want to be- read this book!!! Mark Miller is one of the best, and he makes everything so easy to understand. He includes real people and their experiences to prove his points. He even included MRBEAST! Seriously. Go get this book and read it!
April 16, 2024
As a Chick-fil-A leadership coach, I have read and taught Mark Miller’s books. This is his finest work to date! This book shares an updated version of the SERVE model. These principles will work for you and those you lead. Other books will help you develop followers but this book helps you develop other leaders. I highly recommend reading Uncommon Greatness.
August 18, 2024
Strongly recommend this book to any leader, looking to holistically, improve their skill relating to and serving others. This wasn’t just a theoretical book, but it was full of great examples and applications of the leadership principles. I recommended this book to the master Chief Petty Officer the Navy to be included into his reading list
February 26, 2024
Uncommon Greatness by Mark Miller calls leaders to rise to greater levels. He presents five fundamental tools/mindsets that will transform your leadership with actionable ways to incorporate them. Highly recommend you read this book.
February 9, 2024
Mark always hits it home with his books! While this one wasn't as easy of a read as some of his others, it gives valuable information that can be applied both in and outside of the workplace.
March 5, 2024
One of Mark’s best - incredibly practical no matter where you are in your leadership journey. Highly recommend this one to you!
October 6, 2025
Another book for work, felt pretty simple yet ADHD ish with all the jumps.
February 27, 2024
Uncommon Greatness by Mark Miller presents five fundamentals to transform your leadership. I’m a big fan of Miller’s books, and gleaned a lot of wisdom from his latest offering. He’s straightforward and uses words that are easy to comprehend. He’s done his research but doesn’t use a lot of jargon to get his points across. Miller gives great examples that make it easy to see how the fundamentals can be applied. You’ll walk away with useful steps to put into action. My favorite part of the book was the epilogue where Miller showed how Truett Cathy embodied the five fundamentals. This really brought the information to life for me.
February 27, 2024
Mark Miller is one of my favorite authors and his newest book #uncommongreatness is out today! It is not only an excellent summary of the decades worth of his leadership research but also practical advice and strategies for all leaders, at any level. Uncommon Greatness is worth the read and a must have in your leadership library!
February 27, 2024
This book was a quick read with action items for how you can become a better leader. I liked the main ideas - they are clearly set forth and explained. The one I liked best was the final one described as being most important, the leader's heart. The book was motivating and inspirational when it talked about adding value to the lives of people we interact with daily.
Definitely worth a read, perhaps with others in your organization who want to build leadership.
I received a free advance reading copy of the book.
Definitely worth a read, perhaps with others in your organization who want to build leadership.
I received a free advance reading copy of the book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews