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Greater Than Yourself: The Ultimate Lesson of True Leadership
Too many people assume the timeless principles of true leadership--of helping others achieve their full potential--don't apply Monday through Friday during work hours or in any circumstance where a paycheck is involved.
In GREATER THAN YOURSELF, Steve Farber proves them in this powerful and inspiring story, Farber shows that the goal of a genuine leader is to help others--teammates, employees, and colleagues--become more capable, confident, and accomplished than they are themselves. Through the actions of a forward-thinking and extraordinarily successful CEO, Farber reveals the three keys to achieving Expand Yourself, Give Yourself, and Replicate Yourself.
This new edition includes a special afterword by UCSD's Dr Alan Daly and Neville Billimoria featuring the social science behind the concept of Greater Than Yourself .
Filled with actionable principles and innovative ideas, GREATER THAN YOURSELF is perhaps the most powerful message today's business leaders can learn.
In GREATER THAN YOURSELF, Steve Farber proves them in this powerful and inspiring story, Farber shows that the goal of a genuine leader is to help others--teammates, employees, and colleagues--become more capable, confident, and accomplished than they are themselves. Through the actions of a forward-thinking and extraordinarily successful CEO, Farber reveals the three keys to achieving Expand Yourself, Give Yourself, and Replicate Yourself.
This new edition includes a special afterword by UCSD's Dr Alan Daly and Neville Billimoria featuring the social science behind the concept of Greater Than Yourself .
Filled with actionable principles and innovative ideas, GREATER THAN YOURSELF is perhaps the most powerful message today's business leaders can learn.
170 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
40 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 10, 2015
I can sum up the bulk of this review with a single question. Have you ever asked someone you didn't know well, how their day was and before a respectable pause could occur after the last word came from your mouth, they were babbling-on, giving you a blow by blow account of their day, down to the snacks they extracted from the vending machines? That is how this felt.
It was also similar to taking a young child to the park and they kept yelling, "Watch this," and "Look at me." Reading this book also felt like that.
It was also similar to taking a young child to the park and they kept yelling, "Watch this," and "Look at me." Reading this book also felt like that.
September 11, 2013
I've read few books written in the story format about self-improvement. This is another one. The story is light and interesting and predictable. But the concept is a little different in that it assumes you already have many gifts and talents, and you are going to go find a subject to share them with. You are going to help someone else be "greater than yourself."
As I was reading, I realized that I was almost reading a story about my husband, who has been a top-notch manager in a difficult field. He has helped so many engineers and technology gurus become all that they could be, without worrying that he was the one on top.
I think this is a great concept/principle to put into practice. It fits well with a Christian-thinking mind.
As I was reading, I realized that I was almost reading a story about my husband, who has been a top-notch manager in a difficult field. He has helped so many engineers and technology gurus become all that they could be, without worrying that he was the one on top.
I think this is a great concept/principle to put into practice. It fits well with a Christian-thinking mind.
August 4, 2019
Mansplaining. Used car salesman style.
June 29, 2014
Overall, I very much enjoy business novels because stories are often the best way to convey wisdom, knowledge, and ideas.
Although I very much liked the philosophy outlined in this book, the characters charged with instructing our doubting every-man Steve, are smug and annoying know-it-alls who love a good reveal.
However if you can get passed the trees to look at the forest, the tenets espoused are good ones built on the steps: 1) Expand yourself 2)Give yourself and 3)Replicate yourself. The idea is to "promote another's welfare by opening up the door to your personal inventory and helping them to make the best use of it. And you're not donating to a 'needy cause' so much as to a worthy person'" (p. 122). The result wins accolades not just for the receiver but for the giver as well.
And that's the other thing that nagged at me while reading. Prima facie, this is all about making others "greater than yourself," but it seems there's always a little angle for the giver. "By focusing on making others greater than yourself, you become one of the greats, too'" (p. 22). This is fine - I have nothing against recognition and appreciation for someone who has helped another in their careers. I just wish the characters in the book didn't spend so much time touting the philanthropic aspects of the approach.
Although I very much liked the philosophy outlined in this book, the characters charged with instructing our doubting every-man Steve, are smug and annoying know-it-alls who love a good reveal.
However if you can get passed the trees to look at the forest, the tenets espoused are good ones built on the steps: 1) Expand yourself 2)Give yourself and 3)Replicate yourself. The idea is to "promote another's welfare by opening up the door to your personal inventory and helping them to make the best use of it. And you're not donating to a 'needy cause' so much as to a worthy person'" (p. 122). The result wins accolades not just for the receiver but for the giver as well.
And that's the other thing that nagged at me while reading. Prima facie, this is all about making others "greater than yourself," but it seems there's always a little angle for the giver. "By focusing on making others greater than yourself, you become one of the greats, too'" (p. 22). This is fine - I have nothing against recognition and appreciation for someone who has helped another in their careers. I just wish the characters in the book didn't spend so much time touting the philanthropic aspects of the approach.
June 25, 2013
I marked this a nonfiction, though the story itself is actually a work of fiction. And I think that is why I gave it four stars. This is the first book I've read by Farber, and I really enjoyed his style. I found the concepts that he presented in "Greater Than Yourself" to be intriguing and inspiring. I agree with Farber that most humans have a feeling, deep down, to want to help others become more. I was quickly sucked into the idea, and started thinking about who I could work with.
The story is writen in a fast pace, with well thought-out characters. I enjoyed this a lot, and was able to finish it in a couple of sittings.
The story is writen in a fast pace, with well thought-out characters. I enjoyed this a lot, and was able to finish it in a couple of sittings.
February 12, 2015
I realize that some people do not care for books that are "non-fiction" that are written in a parable form, but I really love that approach. That is what Mr. Farber does here and the concept that he is promoting is very much changing my life. Because of who I am and what I believe, I quickly moved from this volume to scripture and other inspirational books in my library and made some beautiful connections. I cannot recommend this highly enough and would love to have a discussion with anyone who has a chance to read this one.
June 14, 2016
A must read life changing book
I honestly don't like to read much but I began reading this book on a Saturday morning and I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for a new way of thinking, a new leadership approach, or just a better way to live your life then read this book. it's difficult to find a book that sparks real change. But this one did it for me. I hope it can for you too. ~Patria
I honestly don't like to read much but I began reading this book on a Saturday morning and I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for a new way of thinking, a new leadership approach, or just a better way to live your life then read this book. it's difficult to find a book that sparks real change. But this one did it for me. I hope it can for you too. ~Patria
July 20, 2011
I had to read this for my mentoring program at work. It has some good points about elevating people above yourself with the talents you have. It was wrapped in what seemed to be a fictional narrative. I did like the epilogue where it talked about actually implementing the model.
January 28, 2012
Great reminder about what is important in life. Like the reminder/challenge to not only invest in others, but to challenges others to invest in themselves, as well as investing in your personal/professional development.
June 17, 2020
As being a counsellor member of my company, Techwards.co, I would suggest other members to implement the GTY thing across the company, like YSC corporation was doing.
Personally, I am thinking to GTY my entire family, starting from my brothers and cousin brothers.
Personally, I am thinking to GTY my entire family, starting from my brothers and cousin brothers.
September 12, 2009
Quick Read which gave me some interesting insights into motherhood, even though this is a "business" book.
February 18, 2010
Love it!!
April 29, 2010
Reading for our manager book club at work.
April 5, 2012
Don't like business parables. Just be a mentor.
April 30, 2012
Inspired me beyond belief. Wouldn't the world be greater if everyone sought to make others "greater then themselves?"
June 25, 2012
a short and interestingly written book on leadership, don't expect too much depth.
January 18, 2014
This is an awesome and quick read. I recommend it to anyone who leads or manages people.
June 20, 2017
It's a fine, simple idea. I don't know that it required an entire book to get the point across, but it was a quick, inspirational read.
April 23, 2016
Chapter 25 holds the meat of the story. An average tale of replicating leaders by focusing on excellerating the potential of others.
July 19, 2016
This was a fast and inspiring read that I'm sure I will come back to overt and over again.
December 14, 2023
The third Steve Farber book I’ve read this year, I went into it expecting a similar fable-like storytelling that his previous two books did. I was not disappointed.
Greater Than Yourself (GTY) as a concept is similar to mentoring. Try to pick someone to make your “GTY Project,” have them agree to be mentored, have them agree to mentor others, and then hold nothing back to raise up the protégée to your level or beyond.
The fable focused more on discussing the GTY concepts and its value and less on the practical implications. Interestingly, there was a case study written by someone at Up With People, who tried a short implementation of GTY with its core staff. The study had mixed results, and was less optimistic than the fable implied about GTY’s outcomes. It’d be interesting if there was a follow-up these many years later to see how GTY still fairs with Up with People. Is it sustainable? Does it make a long-term difference?
Mentorships aren’t something Steve Farber invented. Trying to make them self-replicating is a grand idea. I think there could be problems in how a protégé is picked, since he seems to indicate that you have to pick like-minded people. If the GTY system was taken to its conclusion, it might lead to promoting echo chambers and may exclude people with diversity.
I don’t think the utopian office as described in the book, where everyone practices GTY, could exist. Businesses have a responsibility to achieve certain goals, and having an accelerated mentorship program could be too distracting to be effective toward’s the organization’s objectives. I suspect there’s be conflict after a while between GTY and making a profit, for example. Or problems with inclusion and tribalism for likeminded people and personalities.
Ultimately, it felt like a thought experiment that won’t get off the ground in a substantive way.
Greater Than Yourself (GTY) as a concept is similar to mentoring. Try to pick someone to make your “GTY Project,” have them agree to be mentored, have them agree to mentor others, and then hold nothing back to raise up the protégée to your level or beyond.
The fable focused more on discussing the GTY concepts and its value and less on the practical implications. Interestingly, there was a case study written by someone at Up With People, who tried a short implementation of GTY with its core staff. The study had mixed results, and was less optimistic than the fable implied about GTY’s outcomes. It’d be interesting if there was a follow-up these many years later to see how GTY still fairs with Up with People. Is it sustainable? Does it make a long-term difference?
Mentorships aren’t something Steve Farber invented. Trying to make them self-replicating is a grand idea. I think there could be problems in how a protégé is picked, since he seems to indicate that you have to pick like-minded people. If the GTY system was taken to its conclusion, it might lead to promoting echo chambers and may exclude people with diversity.
I don’t think the utopian office as described in the book, where everyone practices GTY, could exist. Businesses have a responsibility to achieve certain goals, and having an accelerated mentorship program could be too distracting to be effective toward’s the organization’s objectives. I suspect there’s be conflict after a while between GTY and making a profit, for example. Or problems with inclusion and tribalism for likeminded people and personalities.
Ultimately, it felt like a thought experiment that won’t get off the ground in a substantive way.
December 10, 2021
The book "Greater Than Yourself: The Ultimate Lesson of True Leadership" written by Steve Farber was overall a great book. It was published by the Crown Publishing Group in New York in 2009. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I think I learned a lot from it. This book gives you a different perspective on leadership, and how to be a good leader. Steve Farber teaches you to help others by being "better then yourself", and that is how to be a true leader. He tells you that the steps to be a good leader are to "Expand Yourself, Give Yourself, and Replicate Yourself". He goes into detail explaining each of the three steps, and how to apply them to your life. Steve Farber has written many other self-improvement books, and this book combines his main ideas into one. This book is very helpful for anyone in a leadership position, or anyone looking to just be a better leader in their everyday life.
November 25, 2019
The concept of the book was great, not enough people understand that sharing knowledge is much more powerful than containing it to yourself only. The way the story is presented as a fictional scenario made it a unique presentation, however moved it along at a very slow pace (lots of brief conversations, and little environment descriptions). I am especially grateful the author highlighted that this is not just a management level mentoring, and that everyone has something to give to others!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2021
Book Review
Recommend by my Lieutenant, awesome book to read especially when someone is looking forward to lead or trying to be familiarize with leadership qualities. Better to read when in high school/ early college but better late than never. A brilliant book to turn to when needed some motivation or just something easy to read.
Recommend by my Lieutenant, awesome book to read especially when someone is looking forward to lead or trying to be familiarize with leadership qualities. Better to read when in high school/ early college but better late than never. A brilliant book to turn to when needed some motivation or just something easy to read.
November 13, 2023
GTY, not a new or novel concept. Been helping families, friends and even strangers most of my life. I enjoyed the story more than the GTY philosophy itself. GTY is something that most companionate and moral people do. The author makes a very simple altruistic concept seem difficult and confusing.
January 28, 2018
Great book for all.
December 20, 2022
Read for a corporate book club. Not a fan.
February 19, 2018
A business parable about leading by example and coaching those you lead to be better than themselves.
For some reason this isn't counting in my reading challenge for 2018 even though the dates are in.
For some reason this isn't counting in my reading challenge for 2018 even though the dates are in.
July 1, 2010
great book about authentic leadership and what it means to grow yourself so that you have more to teach to others...good message.
April 10, 2014
I found this book to be genuinely challenging. So who is my GYT challenge?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews