What do you think?
Rate this book
Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big
The trailblazing filmmaker and powerhouse CEO who produced Straight Outta Compton and Girls Trip uses powerful and illuminating stories from the frontlines of Hollywood to offer a clear vision on how to manifest your own success—by believing there is no one on the planet more deserving of it than you.
You know Will Packer’s movies. From Stomp the Yard to Ride Along to Girls Trip, they’ve grossed more than $1 billion at the box office, including ten films that opened at number one. And, in the vein of Shonda Rhimes, he did it by featuring authentically diverse stories that highlight black culture—something that Hollywood had long overlooked.
To outsiders, the hustle and unabashed confidence that fueled him since the days when he was trying to sell a micro-budget indie film in college may look like arrogance. To Packer, that’s just what he had to do to make it on his terms. With Who Better Than You?, Packer has created the success toolkit he wished he’d had back then, useful for anyone who’s just starting out or perhaps ready to make a major transition but doesn’t feel there are great career options or ready examples of people who’ve succeeded before them. This guidebook, full of reflections on the values and audacity that have carried him through his most successful projects, is filled with indispensable advice on business, leadership, and legacy.
Whether you’re aiming for the writer’s room or the boardroom (or somewhere else entirely), you will find encouragement, energy, and empowerment in his stories and lessons. As Kevin Hart says of working with Will "I became a student and learned from the way he was moving. The man helped me grow and gave me the knowledge."
You know Will Packer’s movies. From Stomp the Yard to Ride Along to Girls Trip, they’ve grossed more than $1 billion at the box office, including ten films that opened at number one. And, in the vein of Shonda Rhimes, he did it by featuring authentically diverse stories that highlight black culture—something that Hollywood had long overlooked.
To outsiders, the hustle and unabashed confidence that fueled him since the days when he was trying to sell a micro-budget indie film in college may look like arrogance. To Packer, that’s just what he had to do to make it on his terms. With Who Better Than You?, Packer has created the success toolkit he wished he’d had back then, useful for anyone who’s just starting out or perhaps ready to make a major transition but doesn’t feel there are great career options or ready examples of people who’ve succeeded before them. This guidebook, full of reflections on the values and audacity that have carried him through his most successful projects, is filled with indispensable advice on business, leadership, and legacy.
Whether you’re aiming for the writer’s room or the boardroom (or somewhere else entirely), you will find encouragement, energy, and empowerment in his stories and lessons. As Kevin Hart says of working with Will "I became a student and learned from the way he was moving. The man helped me grow and gave me the knowledge."
272 pages, Hardcover
Published February 18, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Read
April 23, 2025I don’t know what to rate this book, but I will say it was an entertaining listen. This is definitely an audio over physical book read. There wasn’t necessarily anything groundbreaking in here, but I enjoyed hearing pieces of Will’s story. This may seem niche, but I’d recommend this audiobook to Black men specifically, just because in my experience, they have a harder time digesting the self-help genre.
July 24, 2024
You may or may not recognize Will Packer by his name, however, it's pretty much guaranteed you've seen one of the more than 30 films he's produced since his first, "Chocolate City," while at Florida A&M University.
While you may not recognize the title "Chocolate City," films such as "Straight Outta Compton," "Girls Trip," "Ride Along," "Night School," "Stomp the Yard," and a host of others have contributed to Packer's films stacking up over $1 billion at the worldwide box-office.
"Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big" is part autobiography and part inspirational/self-help. In the book, Packer serves up a clear vision on how to manifest one's own success by believing there is no one on the planet more deserving of it than you.
In some ways, really major ways, much of what Packer writes about here is familiar knowledge. What really amplifies it is Packer's own personal experiences and voice. He's lived it. He's still living it. And he's enthusiastic about sharing both personal and professional advice on business, leadership, legacy, and even in the circle that one creates.
"Who Better Than You?" is more experiential than prescriptive. We learn about the values and audacity that Packer possesses and how he's used that throughout his career. I read "Who Better Than You?" right as I was getting into the groove of a fundraising experience far larger than I've ever attempted - I've always been more of a grassroots fundraiser, however, the opportunity arose to tackle a bigger project and I decided it was time to really lean into it. "Who Better Than You?" offers advice, tips, encouragement, and examples of how to possess a healthy arrogance to create a better you, a better business, a better life - simply better.
Did I necessarily resonate with everything here? Nah, not really. That's probably not realistic. However, even when I didn't quite click with the material I found myself enjoying Packer's laid back, personable storytelling and learning about his path toward success.
"Who Better Than You?" is an enjoyable, engaging, and informative read for creatives, business leaders, activists, or just about anyone else who needs a supportive voice to head down a path toward dreaming bigger and living larger. At first, I wasn't really sure I was getting into "Who Better Than You?," however, a few chapters in I realized just how much of Packer's material I was retaining.
I've already started applying pieces of what Packer talks about here as I approach my own latest outreach effort and I'm already seeing positive results. With energy and enthusiasm, Packer becomes the literary life coach you never knew you needed.
While you may not recognize the title "Chocolate City," films such as "Straight Outta Compton," "Girls Trip," "Ride Along," "Night School," "Stomp the Yard," and a host of others have contributed to Packer's films stacking up over $1 billion at the worldwide box-office.
"Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big" is part autobiography and part inspirational/self-help. In the book, Packer serves up a clear vision on how to manifest one's own success by believing there is no one on the planet more deserving of it than you.
In some ways, really major ways, much of what Packer writes about here is familiar knowledge. What really amplifies it is Packer's own personal experiences and voice. He's lived it. He's still living it. And he's enthusiastic about sharing both personal and professional advice on business, leadership, legacy, and even in the circle that one creates.
"Who Better Than You?" is more experiential than prescriptive. We learn about the values and audacity that Packer possesses and how he's used that throughout his career. I read "Who Better Than You?" right as I was getting into the groove of a fundraising experience far larger than I've ever attempted - I've always been more of a grassroots fundraiser, however, the opportunity arose to tackle a bigger project and I decided it was time to really lean into it. "Who Better Than You?" offers advice, tips, encouragement, and examples of how to possess a healthy arrogance to create a better you, a better business, a better life - simply better.
Did I necessarily resonate with everything here? Nah, not really. That's probably not realistic. However, even when I didn't quite click with the material I found myself enjoying Packer's laid back, personable storytelling and learning about his path toward success.
"Who Better Than You?" is an enjoyable, engaging, and informative read for creatives, business leaders, activists, or just about anyone else who needs a supportive voice to head down a path toward dreaming bigger and living larger. At first, I wasn't really sure I was getting into "Who Better Than You?," however, a few chapters in I realized just how much of Packer's material I was retaining.
I've already started applying pieces of what Packer talks about here as I approach my own latest outreach effort and I'm already seeing positive results. With energy and enthusiasm, Packer becomes the literary life coach you never knew you needed.
June 21, 2025
Enjoyable!
March 9, 2025
I love this book. Such an incredible and inspiring book. I will definitely be coming back to this in the years to come. The audiobook is AMAZING! ✨❤️
June 16, 2025
Entertaining audiobook but didn’t find anything new/very resonant to take away
June 12, 2025
So Good!
This book wasn’t on my radar because I’m not into self-help books. A friend recommended the audiobook because of the full production with special guests. I’m so glad that I decided to give it a listen. This was one of the most entertaining audiobooks I’ve ever heard. Packer did an amazing job with the narration. The extra guests made it even better. Especially Regina Hall. She was hilarious. While I didn’t come for the self-help piece, I loved it. It felt like a much needed pep talk. His personal anecdotes that he used to reinforce his points were so entertaining. I absolutely loved this audiobook.
This book wasn’t on my radar because I’m not into self-help books. A friend recommended the audiobook because of the full production with special guests. I’m so glad that I decided to give it a listen. This was one of the most entertaining audiobooks I’ve ever heard. Packer did an amazing job with the narration. The extra guests made it even better. Especially Regina Hall. She was hilarious. While I didn’t come for the self-help piece, I loved it. It felt like a much needed pep talk. His personal anecdotes that he used to reinforce his points were so entertaining. I absolutely loved this audiobook.
August 5, 2025
This audiobook is absolutely fabulous!!!! Highly recommend!!
November 10, 2024
As someone who hasn't read many self-help books, this was an excellent and easily-digestible introduction to the genre. Packer blends wisdom, practical advice, and humor exceptionally well by sharing stories from his own life and success to offer insights on how to manifest your own achievements. I especially appreciated the blend of humor and confidence in his writing, which gradually rubbed off on me as I got deeper into the book.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
April 25, 2025
Highly recommended the audiobook version. Very enjoyable read and some unique perspective.
May 23, 2025
it was mildly entertaining, but this was like any other basic self-help book. His stories of his life were fun, which is why I finished the book at all, just didn't get out of it what I wanted.
August 4, 2025
This was a great book, so when I complain about it, just remember that it’s a good book. The book’s title frames it as a self-help book, and I was pretty excited about the concept of “healthy arrogance”. Well, that’s pretty much only mentioned once in this book, and it’s much less of a self-help book and more of a biography with some lessons in it. I’d say it’s about 80% biography and 20% self-help.
Will Packer is a huge producer who has made a ton of #1 hit movies for the Black community. He’s done a ton of movies with Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and many other big actors. What I love about this book is Packer came from nothing, and I always love reading books from people who are successful and didn’t come from a privileged background.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was super entertaining because people like Will’s wife and Kevin Hart randomly pop up. Will’s a funny guy as well and has some great stories. I usually don’t like biographies, but I enjoyed learning about his life because I had no clue who he was, and the book is super entertaining.
While the book wasn’t as much self-help as I had hoped for, there are some great lessons throughout the book. Will’s passion, motivation, and work ethic are inspiring as well, so I guess the book did what it needed to do.
Will Packer is a huge producer who has made a ton of #1 hit movies for the Black community. He’s done a ton of movies with Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and many other big actors. What I love about this book is Packer came from nothing, and I always love reading books from people who are successful and didn’t come from a privileged background.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was super entertaining because people like Will’s wife and Kevin Hart randomly pop up. Will’s a funny guy as well and has some great stories. I usually don’t like biographies, but I enjoyed learning about his life because I had no clue who he was, and the book is super entertaining.
While the book wasn’t as much self-help as I had hoped for, there are some great lessons throughout the book. Will’s passion, motivation, and work ethic are inspiring as well, so I guess the book did what it needed to do.
August 13, 2025
Read book because of great podcast! Liked podcast better
April 25, 2026
This book showed up in a recommendation list, based on other books I was reading. The title was intriguing, especially since I lack healthy arrogance - indeed I have very little arrogance - which can be a problem. Mind you, I think it’s better to have too little than too much arrogance! I had no idea who Will Packer was before I read the book - and if I had, I probably wouldn’t have read it; I just would have thought that career advice from a movie producer would not be relatable to my career. I was wrong. Dale Carnegie, move over — Will Packer is in the house!
This was a phenomenal multifaceted book that offered an unapologetic, high-voltage call to reclaim ownership of your life, urging readers to stop performing for the “front row” and start building something meaningful for the audience that truly matters. At its core is a powerful truth: no one is coming to unlock your potential—you are the key. Through sharp humor and hard-earned insight, the narrative dismantles the illusion that success is granted by permission or perfect timing. Instead, it reframes greatness as the byproduct of self-determination, relentless execution, and the courage to move without guarantees. Whether facing rejection, uncertainty, or the weight of expectation, the message is clear: stop waiting, start doing, and trust that the work you put in—especially when no one is watching—will eventually speak for itself. What elevates this book beyond motivation is its insistence on discipline, adaptability, and finishing strong. It rejects complacency at every level, arguing that extraordinary lives are built not on strong starts, but on sustained, above-and-beyond effort from beginning to end. Setbacks become strategy sessions, “no” becomes refinement, and obstacles become invitations to find another way in—by any means necessary. Along the way, it explores the human side of success: reading people, nurturing the right relationships, owning mistakes, and cultivating a mindset that refuses to be defined by either triumph or failure. By the final pages, the book leaves you with a lasting charge—not just to win, but to create momentum, lift others, and build a legacy rooted in action, resilience, and an unshakable belief in your own voice.
Favorite quotes (excuse the number of quotes - I will likely come back to this review in times of needing a pep talk!):
“…if you want to reach the top of your game you will have to make things happen. That means solving all types of problems. Of course, problem-solving is less about finding ways to overcome adversity than it is about dealing with the variables that life constantly throws at you. Knowing what’s coming and being prepared to deal with it is one thing. But it’s the unknown that truly tests your resolve. Fair or not,you’ll be judged by how you handle uncertainty.”
“To do extraordinary things you have to have an extraordinary process. Not an extraordinary start, not an extraordinary middle, but extraordinary from beginning to end. No one will remember that you started strong if you don’t finish the same way. A big mistake people make is thinking they’ve done enough. Thinking, “I worked hard, I checked the boxes, I’ve done all I can.” No. No, you haven’t. In relationships, parenting, career, et cetera, embrace a mentality of always going above and beyond. One of my personal sayings is “Overambition is a myth of the complacent.” And to me complacency is akin to death.”
��I never admit failure until I have to. Nobody watching my movies knows or cares what happened before they got there. The same is true in the professional business world. If you’re working on something and it feels like it’s going bad, if it ain’t over…it ain’t over. You can salvage it. You can salvage a victory from the jaws of defeat. Always keep working on the project, the proposal, the presentation. Because at the end of the day, all people will remember is the end result. That’s what you should judge yourself by—how you finish. Get in the end zone…then you, your boo, and your lamb shank can dance allllll night.”
“people who achieve greatness realize it doesn’t matter how well you do something if you don’t finish the damn deal. And don’t just finish it. Finish it strong. And how strong you finish is only limited by the amount of work you’re willing to put into it.”
“A no can be a blessing in disguise because it forces us to fine-tune our approach. If you get told no and you don’t give up, you’re gonna come out the other side of the experience stronger for it. Because now when you attack the challenge again, you will be even better prepared because you will have removed the reasons for the first no.”
“Okay, now let us tell you how good you got it being the only Black kid in the gifted class. When you walk in, you’ve got everybody’s attention. Take it and run with it. Never give it up. All eyes are on you. It’s up to you to decide what you do with it. All the other white kids have to do something extra to stand out. They may indeed be racist, they may think that you are less than, they may not want to give you a fair shake. Doesn’t matter. Go, and outperform them.” Sometimes we get so fixated on what’s wrong and what’s not fair. That’s the closed door. Your job is to find a way in, at any cost. If the front door is locked, go to the back door. If that door is locked, climb through the window. If the window’s locked, cut a hole in the roof. Just get in. No. Matter. What. There are a lot of people who will spend a lot of time yelling at that closed door, writing think pieces about the lock, putting up signs and banners lamenting who installed the door.“
“If you want to connect with anyone anywhere, find out very early on, “What’s that person’s wrinkle in their slacks?” What makes them tick? Floats their boat? Gets them out of bed in the morning? You have to read people. People’s favorite subject is very often themselves. People always want to talk about themselves. People always want to tell you what they need. People always want to tell you what they’ve done. Use that to your advantage. Be willing to pay attention and listen, and it’s not that hard to find out what’s important to them. Listen way more than you talk. In conversations, resist the urge to just wait for the moment to interject about your favorite subject, which, by the way, is probably yourself.“
“Most times the problems I’m trying to solve have nothing to do with malfunctioning equipment or error-prone technology. Most times it has to do with some issue revolving around people. I’ve learned that the best way to problem-solve around issues involving humans is to try to get out in front of them before they become major. I try to anticipate and head off conflict before it reaches a critical level. That means I have to figure out what’s important to key people”
“It’s the work you put in when nobody’s watching that makes everybody pay attention later.”
“Taking care of yourself first isn’t about being selfish; it’s about self-care. On top of that, you can’t help anyone at all if you’re a mess. I tell my employees all the time, “Hey, if things aren’t right at home, if you have something that’s seriously hindering you personally, like mental health, you can’t deliver for this company. If you need time, you come to me and you let me know. Make taking care of yourself the priority. I’ll never ask you to put this company first. Put yourself first, because I know that when things are right with you, you are then able to give your best to the company.”
“If you’re honest and truly remorseful in important relationships, you can get somebody to move past their anger or resentment to the point of focusing on what’s really important. Be it something you’re trying to accomplish or the relationship itself. Sometimes people actually want to be angry all the time. It’s easy to stay mad. It can feel good to say “I’m right and you’re wrong.” But if you’re both yelling that at the top of your lungs, nothing is getting accomplished. Never underestimate the power of an apology.”
“…say “I’m sorry.” Don’t be a coward. Stand up. Say it. Be definitive and own your mistakes. It does multiple things: It gives you power, and it gives you leverage. Once the apology is there, you can move past it.”
“I reject the extremes of perfection and abject failure. The reality is that while you may not be that great, you ain’t that awful either. Give the ideas of unblemished flawlessness and utter calamity both the same value. Treat those two impostors just the same. They’re both just constructs of flawed human minds that badly need validation.”
“There is no such thing as a total failure. There are moments when it may feel like it. But the reality is that there is always something positive that can be gleaned from a negative situation. Sometimes you just have to shift your perspective. Metaphorically tilt your head forty-five degrees and change your view. Then have the courage to look beyond the negative events that are happening in the short term.”
“You’ll never reach lofty goals doing the same thing you’ve been doing; otherwise you would have reached them already. You have to be amenable to doing something different. Oftentimes that means something out of your comfort zone. Being uncomfortable is tough but well worth the reward of success, so go for it.”
“Perspective has a tangible effect on our ability to execute any task. The mentality you bring to the table shapes the outcome.”
“Own your moment. Own your look. Own yourself.” Own every stage you stand on and every room you walk into. If you’re on a video conference, own that little square others see you in. If you feel good about it, it’s pervasive. It’s contagious. Other people will feel your energy and passion and emulate it.”
“When you’re gearing up for a major performance, presentation, or challenge, you should mentally force yourself into your best zone, and by the time you finish you should be exhausted because you put everything into it. You should walk in feeling like you cannot lose and walk out feeling like you’ve won. No matter what…And I must really believe it to the point where they believe it too. Because if I don’t believe it, why should they?”
“Wake up thinking about how you are going to win today. Let that be the overriding thought that carries you through the day. I have my own daily affirmation. I stand in front of the mirror every morning and tell myself how primed I am, how capable I am, how well prepared I am for the day and the tasks at hand. I tell myself how I am fully equipped with the skill set necessary to accomplish everything I need to accomplish that day. There are two reasons I do this: Number one, it will probably be the last time I hear it that day. I mean, who else is going to tell me that? I need to hear that. I make sure that I hear it at least once. Number two, I say it so that I can believe it. I say it to myself because I know I’m going to hear a lot of voices throughout the day, but I also know that I’m the most important voice I will hear that day.”
“Don’t allow external factors to define your day. Don’t wake up and think, “Oh, today’s going to be a rough day.” Stop right there. Does it have to be a bad day? Don’t even allow that thinking. Even with everything you’re up against and all the challenges that await, this could be the most amazing day ever. What if you go in and exceed any expectations you or anyone else had for you that day? Redefine what this day and this date means for you. You have that power. Do not allow superficial and external things to define your perspective.”
“We all find ourselves slipping into a negative mindset from time to time. Pay attention to that so you can self-correct right away. Be wary of allowing one negative thought to turn into ten. Change your mentality to something affirming at the first sign of defeatism. A positive mindset extends beyond a single day on the calendar.”
“We have the ability to manufacture favorable circumstances, to create moments of joy and fulfillment. Try embracing the mentality of possibility, and watch as your experiences transform into something truly extraordinary.”
“…everybody enjoys life differently. Don’t try to impose your method of enjoyment on other people.”
“You have to understand that the possibility of success should outweigh the fear of failure. And you have to be willing to ignore that fear and put everything into trying to make that success happen. Is there an opportunity for failure? A thousand percent. Absolutely.”
“Regret is worse than failure. The regret has always terrified me more than the thought of falling short. If you never even try? Man oh man, what a shame. That’s death to me. I obsess over avoiding that awful feeling of regretting not trying. You should too. Here’s the other thing: Striving to do something great will make your life better, regardless of the outcome. You’re a better person for having tried.”
“One of the best ways to judge someone is how they treat people who they perceive can’t offer them anything.”
“As a leader you need to put a bunch of smart and capable people around you and listen to all of them. Hear their opinions and perspectives. Question them and push back. But the true key to your success is having people around you whose motivations and intentions you never have to question. That’s very, very important. You don’t need a big team; you just need the right one. Prioritize the traits of loyalty and work ethic when evaluating talent. And make sure your team feels appreciated and seen so you can retain them, because those folks are very hard to come by.”
“People underestimate the influence, good and bad, of the company you keep. One of my mantras is “If you see yourself as an eagle but you’re hanging with ducks, when you open your mouth, all other people hear is a quack.” If you’re the best, most successful, hardest-working person in your circle, you need a new circle, because your circle is not pushing you to be better.”
“We all exert influence over others and operate within their sphere of influence. And we need to be conscious of whether our sphere is bringing us down or elevating us. Don’t underestimate the impact of those closest to you. Be honest with yourself about whether their influence is positive or negative.”
“When I’m on a set now and I see that kid who is running around, scrambling, hustling their butt off as the lowest on the totem pole, I always try to take some time to go over, shake their hand, and say, “Hey, I was you.” When I have somebody on my team who shows leadership, I have found that it’s not enough to just give positive reinforcement. I will go overboard to try to make people feel like “I’m being noticed. I got this. I can do this!”
“If someone gives their full effort and delivers what amounts to an eight out of ten, shower them with praise. The next time they will give you a nine…It’s good to hear and you want to earn more. That’s the snowball effect of validation. Use that to your benefit when you’re trying to get your team/peers/co-workers to row in the same direction.”
“Don’t be so gracious that you give somebody else your power. Because people will take it if you let them.”
“President Harry S. Truman once said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
“You have to believe in the you that you are selling so clearly and so passionately that the other person goes, “Okay, I believe it because you believe it.” Ultimately, selling yourself is just getting other people to believe what you believe. And there’s power in that. That’s leadership. Leaders are able to get other people to buy into their vision. But it starts with number one, believing in your own vision. Because if you don’t believe in it first, you can’t do anything for anybody. You cannot be an effective leader.”
“My kids’ generation has been told, “You can do anything you want. Chase your dreams! Don’t settle until you find your passion!” It sounds good but that’s not always helpful, and it’s paralyzed them in a way. A lot of modern kids, mine included, feel like, well, I’m wasting my time doing anything until I find my true passion. Until I literally sit and find the one thing that I was put on this earth to do, everything else is meaningless. And there also are a lot of people reading this book that may be my age or older that will say, “I just don’t know my dream. I don’t know my passion.” Stop. You sound like an after-school special. That’s not how real life works. I’m not trying to kill your dreams. I’m just telling you, you can’t stop doing everything until you find your dream. Don’t buy into the mentality of “I’m not totally in love with something, so I’m not going to do it.” A lot of people are unhappy because they can’t find the one thing that makes rainbows shoot out of their butts every morning. Too many people feel they’ve failed if they haven’t found their ultimate passion. The singular thing that speaks to them like no other. The thing that you just know when you see it because it’s so clear and so definitive. No, you’re chasing the impossible. Stop that. You’re chasing an ideal, not a practical goal. The vast majority of people aren’t doing the one singular thing that they would define as their life’s passion, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be happy or successful or have a meaningful life.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having people around who want to give well-meaning advice. They’re valuable. They’re in your corner. They’re your support system. However, don’t overvalue the opinions of anybody who’s not you. Listen carefully to everybody’s thoughts and opinions, but, ultimately, it’s your final decision. Don’t relinquish that power.”
“Sometimes all you need is one advocate, the right type of person who believes passionately in your vision. Nobody does anything by themselves. I don’t care who you are or how talented you are. Everybody needs someone in a position of power in their corner. If you want to be on the path to greatness, you must align yourself with the right people who can help unlock something for you that you would otherwise not have access to or be able to attain.”
“Make someone advocating for you look good and they’ll never stop championing you…Remember that advocacy is a two-way street. You need someone to be an ally for you, but you need to reciprocate by making them feel like backing you was the right decision. In order to deliver for them, you have to be very attentive to learn what they value. This skill can be advantageous across multiple aspects of your life.”
“Life can get really loud sometimes. The noise can be stressful and anxiety inducing. It can help to try to simplify our focus and not try to deal with or address everything that is vying for our attention. You know how when your smartphone battery starts to drain you should close as many windows as possible? Your mind works better when it can be focused as well. When faced with challenges, setbacks, or moments of doubt, let us remember to refocus, recommit, and realign our efforts with the main thing.”
On privilege: “next time you win a “race” in some aspect of life, take a look at where you started from before announcing how great you are.”
“It’s just as powerful when you pay it forward, because hopefully the person you impacted impacts somebody else. If I win, that’s one win. But if I help you win and I leave you with a mentality of how to help others win, well, that might be ten wins, a hundred wins. We like to win, you and me. We’re winners. But nothing’s better than maximizing our wins by creating other winners.”
This was a phenomenal multifaceted book that offered an unapologetic, high-voltage call to reclaim ownership of your life, urging readers to stop performing for the “front row” and start building something meaningful for the audience that truly matters. At its core is a powerful truth: no one is coming to unlock your potential—you are the key. Through sharp humor and hard-earned insight, the narrative dismantles the illusion that success is granted by permission or perfect timing. Instead, it reframes greatness as the byproduct of self-determination, relentless execution, and the courage to move without guarantees. Whether facing rejection, uncertainty, or the weight of expectation, the message is clear: stop waiting, start doing, and trust that the work you put in—especially when no one is watching—will eventually speak for itself. What elevates this book beyond motivation is its insistence on discipline, adaptability, and finishing strong. It rejects complacency at every level, arguing that extraordinary lives are built not on strong starts, but on sustained, above-and-beyond effort from beginning to end. Setbacks become strategy sessions, “no” becomes refinement, and obstacles become invitations to find another way in—by any means necessary. Along the way, it explores the human side of success: reading people, nurturing the right relationships, owning mistakes, and cultivating a mindset that refuses to be defined by either triumph or failure. By the final pages, the book leaves you with a lasting charge—not just to win, but to create momentum, lift others, and build a legacy rooted in action, resilience, and an unshakable belief in your own voice.
Favorite quotes (excuse the number of quotes - I will likely come back to this review in times of needing a pep talk!):
“…if you want to reach the top of your game you will have to make things happen. That means solving all types of problems. Of course, problem-solving is less about finding ways to overcome adversity than it is about dealing with the variables that life constantly throws at you. Knowing what’s coming and being prepared to deal with it is one thing. But it’s the unknown that truly tests your resolve. Fair or not,you’ll be judged by how you handle uncertainty.”
“To do extraordinary things you have to have an extraordinary process. Not an extraordinary start, not an extraordinary middle, but extraordinary from beginning to end. No one will remember that you started strong if you don’t finish the same way. A big mistake people make is thinking they’ve done enough. Thinking, “I worked hard, I checked the boxes, I’ve done all I can.” No. No, you haven’t. In relationships, parenting, career, et cetera, embrace a mentality of always going above and beyond. One of my personal sayings is “Overambition is a myth of the complacent.” And to me complacency is akin to death.”
��I never admit failure until I have to. Nobody watching my movies knows or cares what happened before they got there. The same is true in the professional business world. If you’re working on something and it feels like it’s going bad, if it ain’t over…it ain’t over. You can salvage it. You can salvage a victory from the jaws of defeat. Always keep working on the project, the proposal, the presentation. Because at the end of the day, all people will remember is the end result. That’s what you should judge yourself by—how you finish. Get in the end zone…then you, your boo, and your lamb shank can dance allllll night.”
“people who achieve greatness realize it doesn’t matter how well you do something if you don’t finish the damn deal. And don’t just finish it. Finish it strong. And how strong you finish is only limited by the amount of work you’re willing to put into it.”
“A no can be a blessing in disguise because it forces us to fine-tune our approach. If you get told no and you don’t give up, you’re gonna come out the other side of the experience stronger for it. Because now when you attack the challenge again, you will be even better prepared because you will have removed the reasons for the first no.”
“Okay, now let us tell you how good you got it being the only Black kid in the gifted class. When you walk in, you’ve got everybody’s attention. Take it and run with it. Never give it up. All eyes are on you. It’s up to you to decide what you do with it. All the other white kids have to do something extra to stand out. They may indeed be racist, they may think that you are less than, they may not want to give you a fair shake. Doesn’t matter. Go, and outperform them.” Sometimes we get so fixated on what’s wrong and what’s not fair. That’s the closed door. Your job is to find a way in, at any cost. If the front door is locked, go to the back door. If that door is locked, climb through the window. If the window’s locked, cut a hole in the roof. Just get in. No. Matter. What. There are a lot of people who will spend a lot of time yelling at that closed door, writing think pieces about the lock, putting up signs and banners lamenting who installed the door.“
“If you want to connect with anyone anywhere, find out very early on, “What’s that person’s wrinkle in their slacks?” What makes them tick? Floats their boat? Gets them out of bed in the morning? You have to read people. People’s favorite subject is very often themselves. People always want to talk about themselves. People always want to tell you what they need. People always want to tell you what they’ve done. Use that to your advantage. Be willing to pay attention and listen, and it’s not that hard to find out what’s important to them. Listen way more than you talk. In conversations, resist the urge to just wait for the moment to interject about your favorite subject, which, by the way, is probably yourself.“
“Most times the problems I’m trying to solve have nothing to do with malfunctioning equipment or error-prone technology. Most times it has to do with some issue revolving around people. I’ve learned that the best way to problem-solve around issues involving humans is to try to get out in front of them before they become major. I try to anticipate and head off conflict before it reaches a critical level. That means I have to figure out what’s important to key people”
“It’s the work you put in when nobody’s watching that makes everybody pay attention later.”
“Taking care of yourself first isn’t about being selfish; it’s about self-care. On top of that, you can’t help anyone at all if you’re a mess. I tell my employees all the time, “Hey, if things aren’t right at home, if you have something that’s seriously hindering you personally, like mental health, you can’t deliver for this company. If you need time, you come to me and you let me know. Make taking care of yourself the priority. I’ll never ask you to put this company first. Put yourself first, because I know that when things are right with you, you are then able to give your best to the company.”
“If you’re honest and truly remorseful in important relationships, you can get somebody to move past their anger or resentment to the point of focusing on what’s really important. Be it something you’re trying to accomplish or the relationship itself. Sometimes people actually want to be angry all the time. It’s easy to stay mad. It can feel good to say “I’m right and you’re wrong.” But if you’re both yelling that at the top of your lungs, nothing is getting accomplished. Never underestimate the power of an apology.”
“…say “I’m sorry.” Don’t be a coward. Stand up. Say it. Be definitive and own your mistakes. It does multiple things: It gives you power, and it gives you leverage. Once the apology is there, you can move past it.”
“I reject the extremes of perfection and abject failure. The reality is that while you may not be that great, you ain’t that awful either. Give the ideas of unblemished flawlessness and utter calamity both the same value. Treat those two impostors just the same. They’re both just constructs of flawed human minds that badly need validation.”
“There is no such thing as a total failure. There are moments when it may feel like it. But the reality is that there is always something positive that can be gleaned from a negative situation. Sometimes you just have to shift your perspective. Metaphorically tilt your head forty-five degrees and change your view. Then have the courage to look beyond the negative events that are happening in the short term.”
“You’ll never reach lofty goals doing the same thing you’ve been doing; otherwise you would have reached them already. You have to be amenable to doing something different. Oftentimes that means something out of your comfort zone. Being uncomfortable is tough but well worth the reward of success, so go for it.”
“Perspective has a tangible effect on our ability to execute any task. The mentality you bring to the table shapes the outcome.”
“Own your moment. Own your look. Own yourself.” Own every stage you stand on and every room you walk into. If you’re on a video conference, own that little square others see you in. If you feel good about it, it’s pervasive. It’s contagious. Other people will feel your energy and passion and emulate it.”
“When you’re gearing up for a major performance, presentation, or challenge, you should mentally force yourself into your best zone, and by the time you finish you should be exhausted because you put everything into it. You should walk in feeling like you cannot lose and walk out feeling like you’ve won. No matter what…And I must really believe it to the point where they believe it too. Because if I don’t believe it, why should they?”
“Wake up thinking about how you are going to win today. Let that be the overriding thought that carries you through the day. I have my own daily affirmation. I stand in front of the mirror every morning and tell myself how primed I am, how capable I am, how well prepared I am for the day and the tasks at hand. I tell myself how I am fully equipped with the skill set necessary to accomplish everything I need to accomplish that day. There are two reasons I do this: Number one, it will probably be the last time I hear it that day. I mean, who else is going to tell me that? I need to hear that. I make sure that I hear it at least once. Number two, I say it so that I can believe it. I say it to myself because I know I’m going to hear a lot of voices throughout the day, but I also know that I’m the most important voice I will hear that day.”
“Don’t allow external factors to define your day. Don’t wake up and think, “Oh, today’s going to be a rough day.” Stop right there. Does it have to be a bad day? Don’t even allow that thinking. Even with everything you’re up against and all the challenges that await, this could be the most amazing day ever. What if you go in and exceed any expectations you or anyone else had for you that day? Redefine what this day and this date means for you. You have that power. Do not allow superficial and external things to define your perspective.”
“We all find ourselves slipping into a negative mindset from time to time. Pay attention to that so you can self-correct right away. Be wary of allowing one negative thought to turn into ten. Change your mentality to something affirming at the first sign of defeatism. A positive mindset extends beyond a single day on the calendar.”
“We have the ability to manufacture favorable circumstances, to create moments of joy and fulfillment. Try embracing the mentality of possibility, and watch as your experiences transform into something truly extraordinary.”
“…everybody enjoys life differently. Don’t try to impose your method of enjoyment on other people.”
“You have to understand that the possibility of success should outweigh the fear of failure. And you have to be willing to ignore that fear and put everything into trying to make that success happen. Is there an opportunity for failure? A thousand percent. Absolutely.”
“Regret is worse than failure. The regret has always terrified me more than the thought of falling short. If you never even try? Man oh man, what a shame. That’s death to me. I obsess over avoiding that awful feeling of regretting not trying. You should too. Here’s the other thing: Striving to do something great will make your life better, regardless of the outcome. You’re a better person for having tried.”
“One of the best ways to judge someone is how they treat people who they perceive can’t offer them anything.”
“As a leader you need to put a bunch of smart and capable people around you and listen to all of them. Hear their opinions and perspectives. Question them and push back. But the true key to your success is having people around you whose motivations and intentions you never have to question. That’s very, very important. You don’t need a big team; you just need the right one. Prioritize the traits of loyalty and work ethic when evaluating talent. And make sure your team feels appreciated and seen so you can retain them, because those folks are very hard to come by.”
“People underestimate the influence, good and bad, of the company you keep. One of my mantras is “If you see yourself as an eagle but you’re hanging with ducks, when you open your mouth, all other people hear is a quack.” If you’re the best, most successful, hardest-working person in your circle, you need a new circle, because your circle is not pushing you to be better.”
“We all exert influence over others and operate within their sphere of influence. And we need to be conscious of whether our sphere is bringing us down or elevating us. Don’t underestimate the impact of those closest to you. Be honest with yourself about whether their influence is positive or negative.”
“When I’m on a set now and I see that kid who is running around, scrambling, hustling their butt off as the lowest on the totem pole, I always try to take some time to go over, shake their hand, and say, “Hey, I was you.” When I have somebody on my team who shows leadership, I have found that it’s not enough to just give positive reinforcement. I will go overboard to try to make people feel like “I’m being noticed. I got this. I can do this!”
“If someone gives their full effort and delivers what amounts to an eight out of ten, shower them with praise. The next time they will give you a nine…It’s good to hear and you want to earn more. That’s the snowball effect of validation. Use that to your benefit when you’re trying to get your team/peers/co-workers to row in the same direction.”
“Don’t be so gracious that you give somebody else your power. Because people will take it if you let them.”
“President Harry S. Truman once said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
“You have to believe in the you that you are selling so clearly and so passionately that the other person goes, “Okay, I believe it because you believe it.” Ultimately, selling yourself is just getting other people to believe what you believe. And there’s power in that. That’s leadership. Leaders are able to get other people to buy into their vision. But it starts with number one, believing in your own vision. Because if you don’t believe in it first, you can’t do anything for anybody. You cannot be an effective leader.”
“My kids’ generation has been told, “You can do anything you want. Chase your dreams! Don’t settle until you find your passion!” It sounds good but that’s not always helpful, and it’s paralyzed them in a way. A lot of modern kids, mine included, feel like, well, I’m wasting my time doing anything until I find my true passion. Until I literally sit and find the one thing that I was put on this earth to do, everything else is meaningless. And there also are a lot of people reading this book that may be my age or older that will say, “I just don’t know my dream. I don’t know my passion.” Stop. You sound like an after-school special. That’s not how real life works. I’m not trying to kill your dreams. I’m just telling you, you can’t stop doing everything until you find your dream. Don’t buy into the mentality of “I’m not totally in love with something, so I’m not going to do it.” A lot of people are unhappy because they can’t find the one thing that makes rainbows shoot out of their butts every morning. Too many people feel they’ve failed if they haven’t found their ultimate passion. The singular thing that speaks to them like no other. The thing that you just know when you see it because it’s so clear and so definitive. No, you’re chasing the impossible. Stop that. You’re chasing an ideal, not a practical goal. The vast majority of people aren’t doing the one singular thing that they would define as their life’s passion, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be happy or successful or have a meaningful life.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having people around who want to give well-meaning advice. They’re valuable. They’re in your corner. They’re your support system. However, don’t overvalue the opinions of anybody who’s not you. Listen carefully to everybody’s thoughts and opinions, but, ultimately, it’s your final decision. Don’t relinquish that power.”
“Sometimes all you need is one advocate, the right type of person who believes passionately in your vision. Nobody does anything by themselves. I don’t care who you are or how talented you are. Everybody needs someone in a position of power in their corner. If you want to be on the path to greatness, you must align yourself with the right people who can help unlock something for you that you would otherwise not have access to or be able to attain.”
“Make someone advocating for you look good and they’ll never stop championing you…Remember that advocacy is a two-way street. You need someone to be an ally for you, but you need to reciprocate by making them feel like backing you was the right decision. In order to deliver for them, you have to be very attentive to learn what they value. This skill can be advantageous across multiple aspects of your life.”
“Life can get really loud sometimes. The noise can be stressful and anxiety inducing. It can help to try to simplify our focus and not try to deal with or address everything that is vying for our attention. You know how when your smartphone battery starts to drain you should close as many windows as possible? Your mind works better when it can be focused as well. When faced with challenges, setbacks, or moments of doubt, let us remember to refocus, recommit, and realign our efforts with the main thing.”
On privilege: “next time you win a “race” in some aspect of life, take a look at where you started from before announcing how great you are.”
“It’s just as powerful when you pay it forward, because hopefully the person you impacted impacts somebody else. If I win, that’s one win. But if I help you win and I leave you with a mentality of how to help others win, well, that might be ten wins, a hundred wins. We like to win, you and me. We’re winners. But nothing’s better than maximizing our wins by creating other winners.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
A fun, entertaining, sensory experience that felt like a long podcast rather than an audiobook. It took a minute to get into the flow compared to other audiobooks, but once you get used to it, it makes sense! Will Packer is hilarious.
September 23, 2025
AA: not at all what I was expecting. Absolutely the worst audio book I’ve ever listened too. The editing (sounds, background animations, other voices, etc) were so over the top and obnoxious. More of an autobiography of someone I didn’t care to know about than a “self improvement” book
May be better as a reading book and not audio
May be better as a reading book and not audio
January 30, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this book.
It's been years since I picked up something PMA-ish. (Positive Mental Attitude.) These books are usually filled with those who have a lot to rah-rah say but zero actions. This book is not like those that collect dust on bookshelves everywhere.
Will Packer walks the walk. Having a lot of experience coming up in Hollywood, he shares some stories along his journey. I am so grateful to have read this book when I needed the inspiration to keep going. Thank you, Will. I can't wait to see what you do next!
It's been years since I picked up something PMA-ish. (Positive Mental Attitude.) These books are usually filled with those who have a lot to rah-rah say but zero actions. This book is not like those that collect dust on bookshelves everywhere.
Will Packer walks the walk. Having a lot of experience coming up in Hollywood, he shares some stories along his journey. I am so grateful to have read this book when I needed the inspiration to keep going. Thank you, Will. I can't wait to see what you do next!
July 18, 2025
An entertaining audiobook. However, I feel like the point was lost in the stories at times.
August 7, 2025
I was so excited to read this book after hearing will on the Mel Robbins show and I really loved the concept
At first I didn’t love the style of audio book (sound effects and music added) but it did grow on me
The first bit of the book really hooked me but by the end, I was desperate for it to be over. I feel like I learned way more from the podcast and this just felt like a mishmash of stories he wanted to tell and I didn’t feel like he made the concepts applicable
It also felt like it leaned soooo hard into the masculine hustle culture that I didn’t feel like it was applicable to me
At first I didn’t love the style of audio book (sound effects and music added) but it did grow on me
The first bit of the book really hooked me but by the end, I was desperate for it to be over. I feel like I learned way more from the podcast and this just felt like a mishmash of stories he wanted to tell and I didn’t feel like he made the concepts applicable
It also felt like it leaned soooo hard into the masculine hustle culture that I didn’t feel like it was applicable to me
February 15, 2025
ARC REVIEW ~ Gifted by the publisher Harmony Publishing
Alright, book lovers do yourself a favor and add this one to your 2025 TBR ASAP because Will Packer just dropped a gem! This book is equal parts hilarious, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom. It’s the kind of read that makes you laugh one minute and rethink your life choices the next.
What surprised me the most is that Will Packer is funny. Like, “I wasn’t ready for this level of comedy in a motivational book” funny. But beyond the humor, he hands out life lessons like free samples at Costco😂…they are unexpected, valuable, and leave you wanting more😆💪🏽.
If you’re the kind of reader that’s looking for some juicy behind-the-scenes stories, he got that too. Like how Beyoncé kept turning down the role in the movie 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥. But Will didn’t take no for an answer, and she finally said, “yes”. And his story about Kevin Hart? ICONIC😂. Have you ever heard of Leon Lett? I had no idea who Leon was before reading this book. But after Will’s story I will never forget him🏈🤣. What makes this book really special is that every entertaining Hollywood moment comes with a powerful lesson on success, confidence, and making it happen.
And can we talk about the narrator? This character jumps in whenever Will starts to ummm, embellish a little too much😂. The narrator calls Will out in the funniest way possible. It’s one of my favorite parts of the book!
Bottom line? 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 has already made my top 5 list of 2025. It’s funny, wise, and straight-up motivational. If you love a good success story with a side of comedy, this one’s a must-read.
Publication Date: February 18, 2025
Alright, book lovers do yourself a favor and add this one to your 2025 TBR ASAP because Will Packer just dropped a gem! This book is equal parts hilarious, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom. It’s the kind of read that makes you laugh one minute and rethink your life choices the next.
What surprised me the most is that Will Packer is funny. Like, “I wasn’t ready for this level of comedy in a motivational book” funny. But beyond the humor, he hands out life lessons like free samples at Costco😂…they are unexpected, valuable, and leave you wanting more😆💪🏽.
If you’re the kind of reader that’s looking for some juicy behind-the-scenes stories, he got that too. Like how Beyoncé kept turning down the role in the movie 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥. But Will didn’t take no for an answer, and she finally said, “yes”. And his story about Kevin Hart? ICONIC😂. Have you ever heard of Leon Lett? I had no idea who Leon was before reading this book. But after Will’s story I will never forget him🏈🤣. What makes this book really special is that every entertaining Hollywood moment comes with a powerful lesson on success, confidence, and making it happen.
And can we talk about the narrator? This character jumps in whenever Will starts to ummm, embellish a little too much😂. The narrator calls Will out in the funniest way possible. It’s one of my favorite parts of the book!
Bottom line? 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 has already made my top 5 list of 2025. It’s funny, wise, and straight-up motivational. If you love a good success story with a side of comedy, this one’s a must-read.
Publication Date: February 18, 2025
April 30, 2025
fun listen
March 11, 2025
The audiobook was funny to listen to, don’t think I would have enjoyed this book as much if I read it.
September 9, 2025
Hard pass. This is just bragging about all the fancy things that he does, and then tacking on at the end some pearl of wisdom.
February 21, 2025
In Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big, acclaimed Hollywood producer Will Packer offers an engaging and insightful roadmap to achieving success in unpredictable environments. Scheduled for release on February 18, 2025, this book combines behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Packer's prolific career with practical advice designed to empower readers to pursue their ambitions with confidence.
Amazon
Packer, whose films—including Stomp the Yard, Ride Along, and Girls Trip—have collectively grossed over $1 billion at the box office, shares the principles that have guided his journey from selling a micro-budget indie film during his college days to becoming one of Hollywood's most successful producers. Central to his philosophy is the concept of "healthy arrogance," a form of superior self-confidence in one's abilities and destined success. Packer emphasizes that embracing this mindset can unlock one's potential and drive them toward their goals.
Penguin Random House
The book is structured around key lessons, including the importance of convincing others that your goals are mutually beneficial and recognizing that diligent, unseen effort lays the foundation for future recognition. Packer illustrates these points with illuminating and often humorous stories from his experiences in the film industry, providing readers with both inspiration and actionable strategies.
Amazon
Who Better Than You? is poised to serve as a valuable resource for individuals at any stage of their career, offering guidance on harnessing self-belief, strategic thinking, and perseverance to navigate and succeed in challenging landscapes.
Amazon
Packer, whose films—including Stomp the Yard, Ride Along, and Girls Trip—have collectively grossed over $1 billion at the box office, shares the principles that have guided his journey from selling a micro-budget indie film during his college days to becoming one of Hollywood's most successful producers. Central to his philosophy is the concept of "healthy arrogance," a form of superior self-confidence in one's abilities and destined success. Packer emphasizes that embracing this mindset can unlock one's potential and drive them toward their goals.
Penguin Random House
The book is structured around key lessons, including the importance of convincing others that your goals are mutually beneficial and recognizing that diligent, unseen effort lays the foundation for future recognition. Packer illustrates these points with illuminating and often humorous stories from his experiences in the film industry, providing readers with both inspiration and actionable strategies.
Amazon
Who Better Than You? is poised to serve as a valuable resource for individuals at any stage of their career, offering guidance on harnessing self-belief, strategic thinking, and perseverance to navigate and succeed in challenging landscapes.
November 8, 2025
I am not sure the audio book I listened to was by Audible. The cover of who better than you? made me want to read it. Its so colorful. I had no idea who Will Packer was. And the book was different than I thought it would be but, I still liked it a lot.
I don't know if I will achieve my dreams by listening to this book however it was sure fun to listen to. It had some funny stories. For instance when Will and his wife are on a Safari in Africa and there is a male elephant in musk. I also liked another story that involved Kevin Heart. Oh, and I liked the story where he talked about have an outdated passport and going on an island vacation with his wife.
Will also told the story of how his grandfather ended up in Florida. He only learned the story after his grandfathers death. He also talked about the call he got that his father was Dying and another call he got that his sister and unborn child were in a bad car accident.
One thing that sticks with me after listen to the book is that will talks about sure its good to find your passion but, you have to do something until you find it so pick something you are good at. He said it something like that. I also remember his same something like why do you care what other people think the are not you.
I don't know that I will achieve my dreams because I listened to the book thought it sure was fun listening to it. Lots of interesting stores.
I don't know if I will achieve my dreams by listening to this book however it was sure fun to listen to. It had some funny stories. For instance when Will and his wife are on a Safari in Africa and there is a male elephant in musk. I also liked another story that involved Kevin Heart. Oh, and I liked the story where he talked about have an outdated passport and going on an island vacation with his wife.
Will also told the story of how his grandfather ended up in Florida. He only learned the story after his grandfathers death. He also talked about the call he got that his father was Dying and another call he got that his sister and unborn child were in a bad car accident.
One thing that sticks with me after listen to the book is that will talks about sure its good to find your passion but, you have to do something until you find it so pick something you are good at. He said it something like that. I also remember his same something like why do you care what other people think the are not you.
I don't know that I will achieve my dreams because I listened to the book thought it sure was fun listening to it. Lots of interesting stores.
October 18, 2025
This book was so creatively put together, especially the audio format. Where will Packer has side injections from a narrator to put things into realistic and humorous perspective. He is an entertainer after all, and was this book ever entertaining to read. He goes through all of the key lessons for gaining success in entrepreneurship in your life with his main point being that if you really want something, there’s no one better to do it than you. He talked about finding an ally to open doors for you to being an excellent sales person in every aspect of your life and believing in going for what matters most. We only have one life and there’s so much that we can accomplish. This is the ultimate life peptalk from an incredibly accomplished person and no more qualified person to give it with the distance he has traveled in his life and career.
Here are the 10 main points to remember from this book:
-Adopt “healthy arrogance”
-Believe your goals are essential and non-negotiable
-Work when nobody is watching
-Expect and embrace the unexpected
-Think like a producer
-Surround yourself with the right team / protect your energy
-Never settle for “good enough”
-Your voice matters – give it weight
-Sell value – to others and yourself
-Sustain success through vision, preparation, and adaptability
Here are the 10 main points to remember from this book:
-Adopt “healthy arrogance”
-Believe your goals are essential and non-negotiable
-Work when nobody is watching
-Expect and embrace the unexpected
-Think like a producer
-Surround yourself with the right team / protect your energy
-Never settle for “good enough”
-Your voice matters – give it weight
-Sell value – to others and yourself
-Sustain success through vision, preparation, and adaptability
April 10, 2025
I know a guy like Will Packer, which made this book easier to read. Mildly comedic, with plenty of Gex X 90's and 2000's hip-hop references (I’m a fan of the Memphis, TN duo too), and southern collopquialisms to boot.
Packer is a successful filmmaker and producer. He's had #1 movies in the theaters 6 different times. Girls Trip (Tiffany Haddish) was the one that made him a household name. Produced Obsession, Stomp the Yard and Think Like a Man (1 & 2). He's a hustler by nature. Came up middle class in Florida and gambled on himself. Rather than using his engineering degree, he went the entrepreneurial route with his college friend to start a production company. He's been a DJ, janitor, paper boy, and inde film producer in college. I can see how he's a good storyteller. He has found his way into a few circles that everyone would love the tea on (Idris Elba, Beyonce, Kevin Hart, Melo). He's big on reaching back and helping the next generation of on-set talent. Very light read... I laughed a few times imagining being in the scene with him. No doubt he has worked hard to get where he is. If I were to ever meet him, I'm sure connecting on some of the stories he told here, would be a tremendous ice breaker.
Packer is a successful filmmaker and producer. He's had #1 movies in the theaters 6 different times. Girls Trip (Tiffany Haddish) was the one that made him a household name. Produced Obsession, Stomp the Yard and Think Like a Man (1 & 2). He's a hustler by nature. Came up middle class in Florida and gambled on himself. Rather than using his engineering degree, he went the entrepreneurial route with his college friend to start a production company. He's been a DJ, janitor, paper boy, and inde film producer in college. I can see how he's a good storyteller. He has found his way into a few circles that everyone would love the tea on (Idris Elba, Beyonce, Kevin Hart, Melo). He's big on reaching back and helping the next generation of on-set talent. Very light read... I laughed a few times imagining being in the scene with him. No doubt he has worked hard to get where he is. If I were to ever meet him, I'm sure connecting on some of the stories he told here, would be a tremendous ice breaker.
February 23, 2025
Who knew a film producer could be so funny? Will Packer's decision to narrate his own book was a smart one. You could tell he and his acting buddies featured had fun making the audiobook version. I highly recommend it in this format because it's a full on play type of experience that enhances the life lessons that Will experienced and learned as he built his career.
This book was recommended by The Breakfast Club radio show crew who interviewed Will Packer as he did promo for his book. I'm so glad that I invested a credit to read it that very same day after I listened to his interview. Thank you, Breakfast Club and thank you, Will Packer for sharing your journey and inspiring me to keep chasing my own career in the film industry.
As a victim of the Warner Bros Discovery mass layoffs that started in April 2023, I especially needed this inspirational book.
This nonfiction book is now on my favorites shelf. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏🏽 🫶🏽
This book was recommended by The Breakfast Club radio show crew who interviewed Will Packer as he did promo for his book. I'm so glad that I invested a credit to read it that very same day after I listened to his interview. Thank you, Breakfast Club and thank you, Will Packer for sharing your journey and inspiring me to keep chasing my own career in the film industry.
As a victim of the Warner Bros Discovery mass layoffs that started in April 2023, I especially needed this inspirational book.
This nonfiction book is now on my favorites shelf. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏🏽 🫶🏽
August 25, 2025
Who Better Than You by Will Packer was a fantastic and inspiring read. As someone familiar with his hit films, such as Girls Trip, Ride Along, Think Like a Man, and Obsessed, I was excited to learn more about the man behind the movies, and this book did not disappoint. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at his journey to success, filled with honesty, vision, and relentless determination. What I loved most was how Packer infused his trademark humor into his storytelling, making the book not only insightful but genuinely fun to read. I came away feeling motivated and entertained, and I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, especially from someone who has paved their own path in Hollywood.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author & publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author & publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
September 30, 2025
Listened on audio, with no background on Will Packer going in. I ended up liking this book! With a couple caveats:
- Just completely ignore the cover and title. There are definitely lessons and self-improvement summaries at the end of each chapter, but it's basically Will Packer telling various stories about his life in the entertainment business.
- It's pretty heavily produced. If sound effects and chime-ins from various people aren't your thing, it may be jarring. It took me a minute, but I enjoyed it for the most part (though some of his wife's chime-ins didn't really seem like they fit).
All that said, the energy and enthusiasm of Packer is infectious, and it was fascinating to learn about someone who's work has been seen in the rises of Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart and many others.
- Just completely ignore the cover and title. There are definitely lessons and self-improvement summaries at the end of each chapter, but it's basically Will Packer telling various stories about his life in the entertainment business.
- It's pretty heavily produced. If sound effects and chime-ins from various people aren't your thing, it may be jarring. It took me a minute, but I enjoyed it for the most part (though some of his wife's chime-ins didn't really seem like they fit).
All that said, the energy and enthusiasm of Packer is infectious, and it was fascinating to learn about someone who's work has been seen in the rises of Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart and many others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews