Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life Kindle Edition

Ron Clark’s use of an extended metaphor (i.e. a bus) may result in some of the same confusion as did Jim Collins’ use of the same metaphor in Good to Great (2001). Both discuss passengers but classify them differently. Collins urges companies to get “the right people” on the bus and get “the wrong people” off whereas Clark differentiates people as follows:o Former Runners are burned out and coasting.o Walkers want to run but are exhausted.o Potential Runners have a career that is blocked by an unappreciative boss who prefers to walk.o Riders want to be better but have no idea how to begin to walk, much less run.o Runners look around and realize that there is a new generation of Runners “who seem to be accelerating with turbo boosters that make [their] run look like a troto Others have had all manner of serious pro0fessioinal and personal problems and feel that they now lack the will and energy to run.o Still others “may even feel that [they] have fallen off the bus and have been run over by it.These comprise the “cast of characters” in Clark’s parable: Rufus the Runner, Joan the Jogger, Wanda the Walker, Ridley the Rider, and Drew the Driver. It is important to keep in mind that the term “bus” could refer to all of an organization and even a country or federation of countries (e.g. United Nations); to a part of an organization such as a division, department, committee, o0r even a brand; and also to a movement to make a vision a reality (e.g. securing independence for India within the United Kingdom).As Clark explains, “Remember, the bus represents your goals and achievements as an organization, which could be anything from your business to your family unit to the committee you chair for your neighborhood association. And don’t forget that the bus has no gas tank and is therefore not self-propelled — you’re going to pull it along solely with people power.”Although the primary purpose of much of the information, insights, and counsel in this book is to help his readers accelerate “the relentless pursuit of excellence” and do so with people power, he also observes in the Epilogue: “With all the talk of making the bus run, I felt the need to mention that sometimes it’s necessary to stop the bus completely, for the right reason.” (This is what happens in Toyota’s factories whenever someone detects a flaw or problem of some kind. They can stop the production line by pushing a big red button.) All organizations have Runners, Joggers, Walkers, Riders, and Drivers. Many of them also have one or more Saboteurs.As I worked my way through this book, I was again reminded of two quotations that seem especially relevant to Ron Clark’s compelling vision of what can be accomplished. First, an African proverb: “If you want to go fast…go alone. If you want to go far…go together.” Also this observation by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

I've held leadership roles in business for over two decades. I've founded one company and joined another at an early stage and, as COO, was instrumental in growing it to a successful exit. I've read a lot of books over the years and absolutely list this one as one of the best for understanding and motivating members of your team. At the same time, I've learned things that I will use to make myself better and for that I am truly grateful. Mr. Clark does a great job of making things simple to understand and actionable. I'm reminded of my favorite quotes, "I apologize for such a long letter - I didn't have time to write a short one." Mr. Clark took the time to make this book short and make his points quickly and concisely. A valuable tool and I'm buying one for every member of my leadership team.

Such an great visual of the workplace and how we can be and do great things. Recommend it to all teachers!

I related to many of Ron’s stories and his grandmother’s wisdom. I am retired now but can remember many Runners, Joggers, Walkers, and ,Yes, the Riders I’ve known over the years. I’ve known some good Drivers and some not-so-good Drivers too.

This was inspirational and great for Teachers and administrators etc. to take perspective to the possibilities when people are valued. At times I did not see his special needs experience yet he is real with what he shares and doesn't sugar coat. Yet if you read the Excellent 11 by him you will see the softer side and the balance. Highly recommend reading cover to cover. More than advice at times breath taking to making real difference real change. Made me want to on Ron Clark. Ron Clark the Excellent 11 is also wonderful for teachers and parents etc. Very Eye opening. From the new teacher to the experienced teacher.. For anyone who needs inspiration in their life and understanding people too.. This and the Excellent 11 paired together has shown me I am on the right track and the reason why I enjoy working with children the passion and opened my mind to many more options. This is an easy read page turner couldn't put it down. Truly enjoyed. Read more

This audiobook is wonderful! The CDs, however, do not play well in my vehicle's CD player. When I inserted the first CD, it was not recognized; then it would not eject after numerous attempts. I gave up and started driving and listening to the radio. Suddenly the disc began to play. Once it got to the end, I was able to eject it. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried the second disc--I was eager to continue. It too, was not recognized. I was able to eject it, however. I'm disappointed. I really wanted to listen during my frequent road trips. I will attempt to convert it to another format because Ron Clark has terrific information to share.

This book has the power to change lives, especially in education, where the impact is enormous. If leaders would read this with their staff and discuss and leverage its advice, our world would be a different place.

This is an easy to read book that describes the strategies used to create effective and enthusiastic teachers. The author is a principal of an urban school in Georgia. I hope colleges will use this book when preparing students who want to be teachers, and it is a “must-read” for all staff members in schools, public as well as private.

The message was delivered in a fun and interesting way. Very educational for identifying under and over performers in any environment.

A must-read book. Inspiring.

This book idea did not work. Ron Clark is obviously a successful person, and I imagine that his teaching books are better than this attempt at a business book. While there's no doubt that Clark knows a lot about how to work hard and accomplish things, and many of the lessons are true, there's just not enough insight here. I kept waiting to see what he was going to do with this bus metaphor. Answer: not enough. He tells you to arrive on time and dress nicely. Okay. Not disagreeing, but I was hoping for something deeper. I also found it annoying that Clark keeps advising the lower-performing employees of an organization (in his words, the "walkers," as opposed to the "runners") to just get out of the way of the best employees. While it might be nice if that happened, how much sense does that make as advice? To me, it just sounded like Clark fantasizing about what he wish his walkers would do. Maybe you can't blame Clark. I imagine that very successful people often wonder why everybody doesn't just do what they think of as the common sense thing. So sometimes they write a book spelling out that common sense and it becomes popular. In this case, the publisher needed to tell him that it wasn't working as a book in its current form. I'm going to try one of Clark's education books. This one didn't work.

Great storytelling from a great teacher. The concept of a leader driving the bus powered by the team made up of runners, joggers, walkers and riders. Works as both a perspective as a leader or individual. Live for no regrets, strive to make your world a better place and take accountability for what you do and if you don't like it fix it

Amazing all leads managers and leaders shroud goth rough this approach. I recommend to every corporate emoployee