This book would not have been possible without the help and guidance of the following people. We will never be able to thank you enough for your impact on our lives, our work, and this book.
Gino’s Family and Friends
Kathy, my strong and beautiful wife. I could not do what I do without your support. I appreciate you and love you with all of my heart.
Alexis, my incredible daughter. You are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. You make me so unbelievably proud and make me smile every day.
Gino, my quick-witted son. You are an engineer with a personality. Thank you for always making me laugh. I am so incredibly proud of you.
Linda Wickman, my mom. For your quiet strength, your wisdom, and your inspiration. You always make me feel so loved. I think about you every day and love you very much.
Floyd Wickman, my dad. You get all the credit for The People Analyzer, the discipline of criticizing in private and praising in public, and the two emotions exercise. Thank you for everything you taught me about leading and managing people; it changed my life. You are the entrepreneur’s entrepreneur.
Sam Cupp, my business mentor. You get all of the credit for keeping the circles connected, and the powerful question, “Do you want to do what’s best for the company or do you just want to do what you want to do?” Thank you for meeting with me every month for all of those years. You turned me into a businessman. Since your passing, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss you.
Karen Grooms, the world’s greatest business manager. You keep me in my unique ability and protect me from the world. Thanks for over twenty years of holding all the pieces together.
René Boer, my coauthor. You are one of the most tenacious, funny, and passionate people I know. It has been a pleasure working with you on this project. Thanks for your commitment to the EOS cause and for being the example.
EOS Worldwide Leadership Team (Don Tinney, Mike Paton, Amber Baird, Lisa Hofmann, Tyler Smith, Ed Callahan, and Marisa Smith). Thank you for running the company like a Swiss watch so that I can continue to create content for the entrepreneurial world.
My Clients, for over 1,700 full-day sessions of enabling me to do what I love. Thank you for the risks you take, your passion, your incredible hard work, and the many lives you impact.
René’s Family and Friends
Judy, my wife. Thank you for standing by me through thick and thin. You have a gift for listening, caring, and making everyone feel important. Life is an adventure made special with you by my side.
Allison and Erin, my daughters. I am proud of the beautiful and strong women that you have become. I love you for your inquisitive nature and empathy for others, and for creating the joy that surrounds you. Thank you for letting me take the scenic route.
My grandkids Whitney, Trent, Everett, and Maeve, who keep me on my toes. I love reading with you, playing with your toys, and watching you grow.
Mike and Ty—my two favorite son-in-laws. Thanks for being such great husbands, fathers, and all around handymen.
My mom and dad, Catherine and Jacob Boer, who emigrated here and inspired me and my brothers Andrew and Frank, and sisters Anita, Diane, and Mary, to pursue our dreams. I hope that we have made you proud of us.
James C. Suski, who lived his Five Rules for Life every day, inspiring his family, friends, and colleagues to be the best they can be. He made the years in his all-too-short life count.
Bill Ferril, for taking a risk and giving me an opportunity early in my career to help you build a great company. I will always appreciate your kindness and support.
Jim Murty, for encouraging and motivating me to meet your expectations. Thank you for setting a high standard. Shine on, my captain!
My clients, for trusting me to help them get the most from their people and their business. A special thank you to Jerry Thiel, my first EOS client, for letting me practice on you and your team!
Gino Wickman, one of the most positive, amazing, and humble people I have known. Thank you for creating the opening and letting me run with it. I am doing what I love to do, with people I love, making a difference and having fun along the way.
Contributors
Story Contributors: Chris Beltowski, Mary Boer, Dennis Burke, Kelly Cuellar, Rob Dube, John Eadie, Eric Ersher, Dick Gill, Ben Goetz, Sue Hawkes, Debra Hutson, Mike Kotsis, Kris Marshall, Trevor Moses, Jan Mustian, Chris Naylor, Andrew Park, Paul Ruby, Todd Sachse, and Anna Saville.
The Manuscript Readers: Kurt Adair, Amber Baird, Debra Behring, Chris Beltowski, Rich Bevis, Mary Boer, Jinney Brombeg, Dennis Burke, Kelly Cuellar, Hamsa Daher, Jon Dickinson, Rob Dube, Eric Ersher, Ben Goetz, Colin Hansen, Sue Hawkes, Lynn Herbert, Brad Hermann, Nicholas Heinton, Gretchen Hopp Doyle, William Kenyon, John Kohl, Mike Kotsis, Michael Lee, Kim Luebke, Kris Marshall, Trevor Moses, Jan Mustian, Chris Naylor, Sergio Pages, Curt Rager, Paul Ruby, Todd Sachse, Nick Sarillo, Anna Saville, Daniel Sobiechowski, Kristy Swope, Anthony Walsh, Mark Willoughby, and Rick Wilson.
Other Contributors: Our editor, John Paine of John Paine Editorial Services; our literary agent, Matthew Carnicelli of Carnicelli Literary Services; Drew Robinson of Spork Design; Veronica Maddocks; our publisher, Glenn Yeffeth, and the team at BenBella Books—thank you for helping us tell our story to inspire and help bosses everywhere become truly great.