In The Go-Giver, the underlying lesson is “the more successful [people] are, the more willing they are to share their secrets with others.” Joe, an ambitious salesman, is looking for success when he’s on the verge of losing a critical sale at the end of a challenging business quarter. While discussing his quandary with his aloof but kind coworker, Gus, he is advised to connect with the legendary Pindar.
Joe’s excitement is dampened when Pindar tells him that the secret to success isn’t being a go-getter, but a go-giver; that great people focus on adding value to others and not themselves.
Though disheartened, Joe decides to take Pindar up on his offer to meet other go-givers and to test his theory. The stipulation being that each law be tested the same day it’s learned.
Over the next week, Joe meets five “go-givers:” a restaurateur, a CEO, a financial adviser, a real estate broker and the “Connector,” who brought them all together. Each helps Joe by imparting the one of the laws they learned in the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success that opened them up to giving.
Joe learns that changing his focus from receiving to giving ultimately leads to unexpected returns and more satisfaction and fulfillment for himself and his clients.