The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change

Jon Gordon

Sep 2009 · Sold by John Wiley & Sons

About this ebook

An illustrated business fable that gives you the faith, courage and confidence to win in today's tough economic climate

Fear and uncertainty are staples of daily life in today's struggling economy. As bad as things can be, economic downturns also lead to new opportunities. It's easy to worry, give up and let fear paralyze you. However, you have more control than you think you do and how you handle adversity is your choice-and the only choice that matters. In fact, study history and you'll find that a lot of people and organizations made a name for themselves and grew their businesses during recessions and downturns. These successful people and organizations all shared similar characteristics and took similar actions to thrive while others merely tried to survive. You can do the same.

In The Shark and the Goldfish, Jon Gordon shares an inspiring fable about Gordy, a pampered goldfish who gets swept out to sea. Desperate for food, Gordy meets a kind shark who teaches him the ultimate lesson-Goldfish wait to be fed. Sharks go find food. Gordy also learns that the difference between a full and empty stomach is our faith, beliefs and actions. In the face of adversity and lean times, this is a business fable that reinforces a proven truth: You can't control the events in your life. But you can control how you respond and in turn this determines the outcome.

• A business fable that teaches valuable lessons on the importance of working hard, maintaining a locus of control and focusing on positive choices instead of negative voices,
• Written by Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The No Complaining Rule
• Reveals how change is inevitable-but that you can make it your friend or foe.
• Provides an action plan filled with tips and strategies to thrive during change and adversity

If you're facing tough economic times, The Shark and the Goldfish will motivate you, inspire you, and give you the confidence you need to thrive during changing times.

Ratings and reviews

Super short read. We've all read/heard this stuff before. There really are some nuggets of wisdom here, however... I still struggle with the why, how, & necessity of the "change" this book coaches us to react to. I just always get the feeling that "bosses" choose to shove this kind of rhetoric/brainwashing in our faces to distract us from the reality that they don't want to treat us like real people, but cogs in their automated machine. "Make me more money, and don't feel," said every boss ever.

I withheld the fifth star because I was expecting a second half in which the shark learns important lessons from the goldfish. In today's diverse world, it's important that we learn from each other, instead of saying we all need to become like someone else. Perhaps someday the economy will shift in favor of the strengths of the goldfish, and we'll get a sequel.

Quick read. Cute corny way to teach a positive message. I've read hundreds of books about leadership, motivating teams, prosperity, overcoming ... So not anything "new" but a fresh way to formulate a positive mood for change.

About the author

Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal best seller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish and Soup: A Recipe to Nourish your Team and Culture. Jon invites you to visit and connect with him at www.JonGordon.com