Gordon Jon - The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change

A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change

Cover image: Getty Images / Kim Thoa Vo / EyeEm

Cover design: Wiley

Copyright 2019 by Jon Gordon and Damon West. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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ISBN 9781119430278 (Hardcover)

ISBN 9781119430865 (ePDF)

ISBN 9781119430988 (ePub)

Jon dedicates this book to Kathryn for overcoming
her circumstances and transforming her world
like a Coffee Bean.

* * *

This book is dedicated to my wife, Kendell, and her daughter, Clara.
My favorite Coffee Beans. Love, Damon

In the summer of 2018, Jon Gordon sat in Dabo Swinney's office, just as he had done every training camp since 2012, discussing books they had read and sharing ideas on building great cultures and winning teams. On this occasion, Dabo shared with Jon that he just had a guy speak to his team who had delivered one of the most impactful messages he had ever heard.

That guy was Damon Westand his talk was about the coffee bean. Dabo loved the coffee bean lesson so much that he was even carrying around a little wooden coffee bean key chain that Damon had given him. Jon was intrigued and wanted to know more about Damon and the Coffee Bean message, so he called Damon and asked him to share his story.

Damon's rise, fall, and audacious comeback was one of the most amazing stories Jon had ever heard.

Damon told Jon about the power of the Coffee Bean message and how it transformed his life and led to his improbable and miraculous comeback. Jon knew that the Coffee Bean message needed to be shared with the world and he asked Damon to write this book with him.

Damon and Jon believe the Coffee Bean message is one of the most important and impactful messages on the planet and truly hope this simple story and powerful lesson encourages and inspires you and your team to create positive change.

Abraham usually loved science class, but not today. Today, he hated science, school, and everything in his life. As his favorite teacher, Mr. Jackson, scanned the classroom, he noticed Abraham was not his usual self. After class, he told him to stay behind and asked him what was wrong.

Abraham, whom everyone called Abe, told Mr. Jackson how stressed he was about school. He had tests coming up and a big paper due. Not to mention that he was really nervous about the big football game Friday night.

He dreamed of playing football in college and had heard that college scouts were going to be at the game. A win would also bring his team one step closer to a state championship. To make matters worse, his parents were fighting a lot, and had even used the word divorce for the first time.

Abe said he tries to ignore all his problems and spends a lot of time on social media and watching videos, but that doesnt help and actually makes him feel more negative and depressed. Its hard living up to the expectations everyone has when you are playing well, and its even harder to hear all the negative comments when youre playing badly, he added.

Mr. Jackson nodded, told Abe he knew exactly how he felt, and went to the whiteboard and erased the scientific formula. Then he drew a picture of a carrot inside a pot of water.

What happens when you put a carrot in really hot water? Mr. Jackson asked.

It gets hot, answered Abe.

Well, it does more than just get hot, answered Mr. Jackson. I want you to go home tonight and try it and see what happens.

Abe said he would do it, although he wondered how putting carrots in hot water was going to help him with his problems.

Oh, and if youve never cooked before, ask for help. I dont want you to burn yourself, Mr. Jackson said with a big smile, as Abe walked out of the classroom.