Foreword by Ken Blanchard ix

Acknowledgments xi

1 Collapse 1

2 Rest 5

3 The Carpenter 9

4 Stressed 15

5 Busy 17

6 Design Your Masterpiece 19

7 Be a Craftsman 25

8 You Will Know 29

9 Everybody Loves the Carpenter 33

10 Believe 37

11 Talk to Yourself instead of Listening to Yourself 41

12 Sarah 45

13 Chaos 49

14 The Greatest Success Strategy of All 53

15 Love Is a Commitment 59

16 People > Furniture 63

17 The Second Greatest Success Strategy of All 67

18 The Sandwich 75

19 The Third Greatest Success Strategy of All 77

20 Love, Serve, Care 83

21 Value 85

22 The Heart of Success 87

23 Failing 91

24 Success Takes Time 93

25 The Gift of Failure 95

26 Unfinished Work 99

27 Courage 101

28 A Glimmer of Hope 105

29 Be the Mission 109

30 All for One 113

31 Progress 117

32 Everything Is Spiritual 121

33 Creating the Impossible 125

34 Build 129

35 Success Is Meant to Be Shared 131

Tools for Success 135

Bring the Greatest Success Principles to Your Team and Organization 137

Other Books by Jon Gordon 139

“This is a delightful story about likable characters discovering powerful, simple truths. A memorable read for anyone.”
—Patrick Lencioni, President, The Table Group; Bestselling Author The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage

“The Carpenter is just another example of Jon Gordon as a master storyteller—unforgettable characters with inspiring messages—this thought provoking book places me in awe of Jon Gordon as an author, teacher, and leader.”
—George Raveling, Director of International Basketball, Nike

“I love everything Jon Gordon writes but this book takes his message and writing to another level. I was inspired to build a better life, career, and team with the greatest success strategies of all!”
—Cori Close, Head Coach, UCLA Women’s Basketball

“Jon Gordon weaves a masterful story that will capture your imagination, challenge your convictions, and deepen your faith.”
—Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor, National Community Church, Bestselling Author, The Circle Maker

“When you read The Carpenter you can’t help but become a better person and leader. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to build up people and build better teams.”
—Mike Smith, Head Coach of The Atlanta Falcons

“True success comes from helping others succeed. The Carpenter will inspire you to lead others through servanthood, compassion, and genuine humility.”
—Carl Liebert, President, USAA Capital Corporation

The Carpenter

Bestselling author Jon Gordon returns with his most inspiring book yet, filled with powerful lessons and the greatest success strategies of all.

Michael wakes up in the hospital with a bandage on his head and fear in his heart. The stress of building a growing business with his wife Sarah caused him to collapse while on a morning jog. When Michael finds out the man who saved his life is a carpenter he visits him and quickly learns that he is more than just a carpenter; he is also a builder of lives, careers, people and teams.

As the carpenter shares his wisdom, Michael attempts to save his business in the face of adversity, rejection, fear and failure. Along the way he learns that there’s no such thing as an overnight success but there are timeless principles to help you stand out, excel and make an impact on people and the world.

Drawing upon his work with countless leaders, sales people, professional and college sports teams, non-profit organizations and schools, Jon Gordon shares an entertaining and enlightening story that will inspire you to build a better life, career, and team with the greatest success strategies of all.

If you are ready to create your masterpiece, read The Carpenter and begin the building process today.