O Great One!: A Little Story about the Awesome Power of Recognition
May 16, 2016
David Novak has written "a parable about the secret to engaging and motivating people to do great things in all walks of life."
“If you want to improve your life and the lives of those around you, just apply the ten principles my friend David Novak lays out in this book.”—Warren Buffett
“O Great One! is a real page-turner. Through this insightful and elegantly written story, he does a brilliant job illustrating how recognition—a simple concept that is all too easily taken for granted—can be a potent force, motivating people to perform at their highest levels.”—Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo
“After you devour this thoroughly enjoyable page-turner, buy it for all the leaders and future leaders in your life. It’ll make a huge difference!” —Bob Burg, coauthor of The Go-Giver and The Go-Giver Leader
David Novak's new book is an entertaining fable which draws on his real-life experiences at Yum!, PepsiCo, as well as his personal life, to convey his passion about the power of recognition and inspire readers.
O Great One! tells the story of Jeff Johnson, who’s thrust unexpectedly into the role of CEO of a once-thriving, but now floundering toy company founded by his grandfather. As Jeff’s faces the daunting challenge of getting the Happy Face Toy Company back on track, he encounters sliding sales, a downtrodden factory workforce and an uninspired executive team. Unexpectedly, it is a birthday gift from Jeff’s young grandson which triggers an important insight into why the business is suffering. That simple gift helps Jeff—and others at Happy Face Toy Company—unlock a secret ingredient for turning the business around.
The parable reflects Novak’s core belief that leaders and people who take time and effort to sincerely recognize people’s contributions don’t merely make people happier—but can motivate entire organizations to reach higher levels of success. As he writes, “Whether you’re trying to affect the bottom line of a Fortune 500 company or the quality of life of your children, the prescription is the same. If you use recognition on a regular basis, you can inspire people to do great things.”
For more information, please visit www.whosyourogo.com/the-book/.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
David Novak is the Executive Chairman of Yum! Brands, following a successful 14 year run as the Chairman and CEO. Novak has been recognized as “2012 CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive magazine, one of the “30 Best CEOs” by Barron’s, one of the “Top People in Business” by Fortune and one of the "100 Best Performing CEOs in the World by Harvard Business Review. Novak created the largest privately funded leadership service program in middle schools and high schools called Lead2Feed and is a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award for his commitment to philanthropy and higher education. A renow ned expert on leadership and culture development, he is the author of two highly respected and critically acclaimed books, The Education of an Accidental CEO and the New York Times bestseller Taking People With You. Novak is now launching a new company, OGO Enterprises.
Christa Bourg is a writer, editor, and book packager.
