Summary Of Mark Sanborn's The Fred Factor

To be honest, when we were first told we had to do a book report I immediately started to dread it. I continued to put off the assignment until the last month of the term. I chose to read Mark Sanborn’s, “The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary”, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this motivating book.
The Fred Factor showcases a particularly cheery and helpful postman named Fred. Sanborn uses Fred as an example of how to bring value to others and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary – all born out of the joy of helping others. Sanborn also covers how to bring what he calls the Fred factor out in yourself and those around you. Through giving examples of

Fred understood the value of the individual to make a difference. While it can be hard for a single person to make a difference in the grand scheme of the world, that same person comes into contact with dozens of people each day, and can make each of those interactions a bright spot in that other person’s day. Sanborn notes that the Postal Service is not traditionally known for excellent customer service, yet with Fred he experienced some of the best customer service in his life. Why was this? Certainly not because of anything that the Postal Service had done, but because of Fred’s relationship with Sanborn, and in that relationship the Postal Service had experienced success in customer service without doing anything besides hiring Fred. The third Fred principle is directly related to the first, in any interaction that occurs between two individuals each has the chance to create a bright spot in the others day, and this is done through creating value for others without having to spend a penny of your own money. Simply providing exceptional service and a smile can often suffice, but Fred often went above and beyond that. Fred reinvented the

Sanborn is the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc. and is an international bestselling author and expert in the fields of leadership, team building, customer service and change. Sanborn has served as president of the National Speakers Association and has been bestowed the Cavett award, the most notable honor that the NSA awards. Sanborn’s extensive list of clients is highlighted by companies such as Enterprise, FedEx, IBM and GM. When asked what he would like his tombstone to read Sanborn replied “While alive, he lived. While he lived, he loved. Because he loved, he served. And when he served, he led.” Sanborn clearly is someone who believes in the qualities of servant leadership that Fred represents in The Fred