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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Impact Players summary
How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact
18 mins
Brief summary
Impact Players by Liz Wiseman is a leadership book that identifies the key qualities and behaviors of high-performing team members. Using real-world examples, it shows how to cultivate these traits in yourself and others to achieve exceptional results.
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Impact Players
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
The Mental Game.
First up: The mental game.
So what is it, really, that makes Impact Players so influential? Sure, they are smart, talented and have a great work ethic – but so do many contributors out there who don’t make as much of a difference.
Like Monica Padman. She dreamed of making people laugh and feel by becoming a professional actor – that’s how she landed a role in a small TV show. Right here on set, she met the A-list actress Kristen Bell, who mentioned she had a young daughter. Padman instantly took the opportunity to offer her babysitting services as a side-gig.
While working at the family home Padman met Bell’s husband Dax Shepard, another well-known actor. Padman and Shepard found themselves in endless fiery and entertaining debates, so he suggested they start a podcast to share them with the world.
Hundreds of episodes later, Padman is living her dream – making people laugh and feel. Looking back on that first encounter with Bell, she could have just asked for a career boost to her acting career. Instead, she’d decided to offer help where it was needed, and uncovered greater opportunities as a result.
Professionals like Monica, and many like her in other industries, are rare. The people who don’t just do the job they have, they also do the job that's needed. They identify where they can help and they step up to take on the challenge.
It is precisely these kinds of people Liz Wiseman calls Impact Players, and they’re a valuable asset to any team or organization. Just like in sports, Impact Players in the workplace bring their A-game to everything they do. They raise the bar, and encourage a culture of growth and creativity.
So what’s their secret? That would be their mental game.
See, most professionals have what’s known as a Contributor Mindset. Unlike Impact Players, those with a Contributor Mindset are not called to duty when things get tough. Because, while a normal contributor may be committed to his task, as soon as a problem comes up he gets sidetracked, loses focus on the goal. Meanwhile, the Impact Player sees a challenge as an opportunity to be embraced.
So if you want to multiply your impact, you must grasp this same mindset. The Impact Player approach is not just marginally different to other contributors, it is radically opposed.
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What is Impact Players about?
Impact Players (2021) uncovers the qualities of the most indispensable players in a team or organization, and breaks down the mindset that sets these influential individuals apart from the rest. Drawing on insights from top industry leaders, it shows how to leverage the approaches used by influential professionals to multiply your own impact in the workplace.
Impact Players Review
Impact Players by Liz Wiseman (2017) is a book that explores the qualities and behaviors of individuals who make a significant impact in their organizations. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It highlights the distinctive traits that set impact players apart, offering valuable insights for individuals seeking to maximize their performance and influence.
- Through real-life scenarios and case studies, the book provides tangible examples of how impact players make a difference in their teams and organizations.
- Its practical strategies and actionable advice empower readers to cultivate their own impact player qualities and become invaluable contributors in any setting.
Who should read Impact Players?
- Aspiring leaders
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Organization development professionals
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Impact Players FAQs
What is the main message of Impact Players?
The main message of Impact Players is that certain individuals have a disproportionate impact on the success of a team or organization.
How long does it take to read Impact Players?
The reading time for Impact Players varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Impact Players a good book? Is it worth reading?
Impact Players is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of high-performance teams. It provides valuable insights and practical strategies for unleashing the full potential of impactful individuals.
Who is the author of Impact Players?
The author of Impact Players is Liz Wiseman.
What to read after Impact Players?
If you're wondering what to read next after Impact Players, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Managing Up by Mary Abbajay
- Trust and Inspire by Stephen M.R. Covey
- A Minute to Think by Juliet Funt
- The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey
- The Art of Reading Minds by Henrik Fexeus
- Change Anything by Kerry Patterson
- The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage by Gary G. Schoeniger
- The Happiness Cure by Anders Hansen
- The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship by Scott Jeffrey Miller
- Multipliers by Liz Wiseman