Review of “Purposeful Performance” by Jonathan Stanley

Score: 96/100 (9.6 out of 10)

We loved so many things about Purposeful Performance by Jonathan Stanley! We loved the positive message. We loved the uplifting tone. We loved the practicality of the advice and how actionable (and useful) it is. We loved the structure and the writing.

Purposeful Performance by Jonathan Stanley is certainly one of the best self-help and business books of the year!

So what makes this book so good?

Well, it starts with its positive message and uplifting tone. The author, a CEO and business owner, takes the perspective that running a successful and sustainable business should be about more than making money. Running a successful and sustainable business should be about making a difference in the world and you community. In other words, when you take care of your customers, you customers will take care of you. Likewise, when you demonstrate that you genuinely care about your community and aren't just greedy and don't just care about money, you're more likely to attract positive attention. That means more clients, more customers, and more sales.

The thought that kept running through our mind during this book is that it's kinda like generating good karma. If you take care of people, they'll take care of you. If you contribute to the world rather than being a virus or a cancer in it, the world will take care of you.

We're more likely to shop somewhere and buy from someone who makes us feel good. We're more likely to buy things that make us happy and/or that we have a positive association with.

According to this book, emotions have a persuasive power over reason in a ratio of 24 to 1. DANG! No wonder we keep electing questionable people against all logic and reason...

Anyways...

This book also tells us that 60% of loyal customers use the same emotional language they would for family and friends when speaking about their favorite brands! Wow!

We're more likely to support good people. We're more likely to care about people who care about us. We're more likely to rally around a brand that makes us feel included and a part of something positive, bigger, and better. It's reciprocal.

A great example of that is Lululemon. According to Stanley:

“Lululemon has always centered its branding efforts on the yoga community... Lululemon uses its physical stores as venues for hosting yoga classes, meditation sessions, and other related events. Lululemon creates clothing that encourages individuals to feel confident and at ease while practicing yoga or engaging in fitness activities. By wearing their apparel, you express a sense of belonging to a community, a group of people, that shares your values.”

The author notes that they focus these efforts on the yoga community as opposed to relying on celebrity endorsements (or those of sports stars).

This made us think about why we love WWE so much. Even though they feature theatrical violence and have had some questionable people on their payroll, they've also provided entertainment during America's darkest times including after 9/11 and the pandemic. Furthermore, they've fulfilled THOUSANDS of Make-a-Wish Foundation wishes. Apparently, they've fulfilled 3,500+ wishes. John Cena alone has fulfilled 650+! They also contribute to/support causes like Connor's Cure, LLS, Susan G. Komen, the Boys & Girls Club of America, and Special Olympics. They've generated A LOT of good will. Former WWE CEO Stephanie McMahon said, “philanthropy is the future of marketing; it’s the way brands are going to win.”

There are many other ways in which a business can raise its karma in the community. One such way is buying or sourcing locally, supporting local businesses.

That made us think about how we love seeing “Made in the USA” on a label. It makes us feel like we're supporting our country and the people we know.

It's the same reason we tend to support sports teams in our region/state/city as opposed to ones further away.

Another major emphasis of this book is gratitude and having a gratitude mindset. It's a better way of life. It's a better way of thinking. It's a mindset, in a sense. Instead of thinking about the things we want, we can appreciate the things we already have. Rather than thinking, UGH... I have to go to work AGAIN!, we can think, HURRAY! Another day at work! I can get things done, make money, burn some calories, and maybe meet new people.

See the difference?

Instead of thinking, UGH... I have to cook and clean for my family, we can think, I am blessed to have a family to cook and clean for.

This is also a book about purpose and being purpose-driven. Instead of doing things just for the sake of doing things, we should do it because it's the right thing to do, it makes us feel fulfilled, it makes us happy, it progresses us, it rewards us. Our work and activities should be meaningful and fulfilling.

Business is a means to make a difference in the world, not just a way to make money.

Lastly, one of the best examples in this book is about Electronic Arts (EA). EA is an infamous and notorious gaming company that was once known for ripping off and taking advantage of its customers via such things as microtransactions and selling essentially the same games every year. Because of this, according to the book, they were voted “Worst Company in America” two years in a row (2012 and 2013). Essentially, this was because they were putting profits before players (people/customers), which is never a good thing.

They were forced to reverse course and rethink their business strategy. They started to prioritize players over profits, which raised their respectability in the market.

This was a great read!

Check it out on Amazon if you're a business person!