If you were looking for an inspirational and short summer read, we have the perfect book for you!
The Fred Factor.
This is a book that every one of Mortenson Family Dental's employees reads during their 4 days of new employee orientation after being hired to join our Mortenson family. And, boy do we all LOVE it! 112 pages of true inspiration that everyone can relate to and apply to their own lives.
The Fred Factor teaches you how passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. It shows you how to add value to your career, your life and your relationships by going the extra mile and genuinely caring about people you serve. The great part about it is, WE CAN ALL BE FREDS!
MEET FRED.
(from the inside cover of the book)
In his powerful new book, The Fred Factor, motivational speaker Mark Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who passionately loves his job and who genuinely cares about the people he serves. Because of that, he is constantly going the extra mile handling the mail - and sometimes watching over the houses - of the people on his route, treating everyone he meets as a friend. Where others might see delivering mail as monotonous drudgery, Fred sees an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those he serves.
We've all encountered people like Fred in our lives. In The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn illuminates steps each of us can take to transform our own lives from the ordinary -- into extraordinary! He reveals 4 basic principles that will help you bring fresh energy and creativity to your life and work (a.k.a. Becoming a Fred):
1. How to make a real difference every day
2. How to become more successful by building strong relationships
3. How to create real value for others without spending a penny, and
4. How to constantly reinvent yourself.
By following these principles, and by learning from and teaching other "Freds," you, too, can excel in your career and make your life extraordinary. Each of us has the potential to be a Fred and The Fred Factor shows you how!
Example of a Fred Sighting From The Fred Factor:
"A friend of mine recently went to the movies and forgot her wallet. When she asked an employee if she could write a check, she was told not to worry about it. Instead, she was instructed to drop the money off the next time she was nearby. After she had taken her seat, the same employee brought her complimentary box of popcorn and a soft drink. How often does my friend go to that movie theater? Every chance she gets."
Who's the Fred? The Fred in this sighting is the movie theater employee. She went above and beyond to make sure her patron had a positive experience at the movies, despite leaving her wallet at home, by giving her popcorn and a drink for free. That is wonderful customer service and the beginning of a great relationship between the patron and the employee. Performing these kinds of actions just for the good of it, can make a difference in your own life and in others lives in ways that are unimaginable!
Think about the Freds in your life? What makes them Freds? How can you become more Fred-like? We urge you to do at least one thing every day that is extraordinary, and do it for the RIGHT reason. Has someone in front of you in the drive-thru purchased your drink or food for you? Then you've encountered a Fred! Doing good for others will bring you fulfillment regardless of whether or not you get recognition for it. When the reward or recognition does come, that will be the icing on the cake!
Learn more about The Fred Factor and purchase the book for yourself or a package for your employees at FredFactor.com!
Post Credit: Sanborn, Mark. The Fred Factor. New York: Currency/Doubleday, 2004. Print.
We want to hear about your Fred Sightings! Comment on this post with stories of Freds in your life!
