Over the course of more than four decades, I have spent my career covering the greatest athletes and winners the world has ever seen, interviewing legends Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and Michael Phelps. The dedication, devotion, hard work, integrity, intellect, imagination, commitment to excellence, and heart have made them global icons.
The same principles apply in business. So I think I have an idea why you’re reading this book. It’s because you want to learn from an incredible winner in business.
Tilman Fertitta has risen to the top of the mountain and is one of the biggest winners in business history.
If you’re a business professional, you may know Tilman as owner of Landry’s Inc. and the many hotels, restaurants, and casinos they own and operate, or from his CNBC show, Billion Dollar Buyer. If you’re a sports fan, you may know him as owner of the Houston Rockets, or for serving as chairman of the Board of Regents at the University of Houston, where he has helped build the institution and athletic program to prominence.
If you know Tilman personally, as I do, you know that he oversees his various businesses with a passion and energy that is just as strong today as it was when he opened his first restaurant over thirty-five years ago. Even with all of his success, his drive is like he just arrived at his first day on the job. There is no room for complacency working with Tilman, and no detail too small when it comes to the experience he provides to his customers. There is no question that Tilman knows what it takes to start and manage a successful business. He knows how to motivate those who work with him, and he leads by example. He instills confidence, and empowers people, to get the best out of them. He trusts himself, so he is able to trust those around him. In fact, there are very few people you could turn to who know what it takes to succeed in business more than Tilman.
In Shut Up and Listen!, Tilman shares his secrets and strategies that have made him so successful and does so in his blunt, humorous style that readers will love. He uncovers common blind spots that can trip up entrepreneurs, and offers proven strategies that will help them grow. I don’t know many people who can say, as Tilman does in the introduction—“You may think you know what you’re doing, but I’m going to show you what you don’t know”—and be right.
I highly recommend Shut Up and Listen! The wisdom and actionable insights Tilman offers in this groundbreaking new book are a potent combination that business owners of all types will value long after their first read. It’s a lifetime of business lessons presented by a man who is willing to share a map of how you can navigate in business, and join him on the victory platform.
Jim Gray
Hall of Fame, Emmy Award-
winning sports journalist,
reporter, and producer