Thibault Manekin - Larger Than Yourself: Reimagine Industries, Lead with Purpose & Grow Ideas into Movements

I have been blessed to be part of several incredible movements, including the Birmingham Childrens March, led by Dr. King in 1963. I marched and went to jail because I believed in something larger than myself. Thibault Manekins gripping real-life stories, and the principles hes observed about how movements come to be, are valuable lessons about how we can bring ideas and dreams to life. His book inspires us with the confidence to take on the seemingly impossible.

Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Thibault Manekins journey shows whats possible when we tap into the power of collective leadership and when we lead with love.

Wendy Kopp, CEO and cofounder of Teach For All and founder of Teach For America

Larger Than Yourself is a book I didnt know I needed. Thibault Manekin uses the complex elements of his personal story to convey the transformative power of human connection, despite the many differences between us all. Manekin is a true leader on and off the page and understands the energy needed to get through these challenging times. This book should be required reading for all who dare to live with purpose. Highly recommended.

D. Watkins, New York Times bestselling author of The Cook Up and The Beast Side

Thibault Manekin has used his life experiences from building bridges through sport in areas of conflict to developing communities (both literally and spiritually) to create inspiring movements. If you want to build a better organization, project, neighborhood, or world, and turn ideas into movements, Larger Than Yourself is an illuminating and inspiring guide to getting there.

Ronald M. Shapiro, attorney, sports agent, and New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Nice

While Im a huge believer in our personal master plans, Thibault Manekins journey reminds us that nothing great can be accomplished by one individual alone. At a time of unparalleled upheaval and worldwide uncertainty, when old industries need reinvention and new ways of working must emerge, Larger Than Yourself provides both the inspiration and the road map for that change and shows us that we are stronger united than divided.

Chris Wilson, artist and bestselling author of The Master Plan

Copyright 2021 by Thibault Manekin

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended for education. No expressed or implied guarantee of the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given or liability taken. The authors experiences used as examples throughout this book are true, although identifying details such as names have been changed to protect privacy.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Manekin, Thibault, author.

Title: Larger than yourself : reimagine industries, lead with purpose & grow ideas into movements / Thibault Manekin ; foreword by Wes Moore.

Description: Novato, California : New World Library, [2021] | Summary: A guide for contemporary entrepreneurs who are seeking to create businesses that are profitable, innovative, and socially responsible-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021025216 (print) | LCCN 2021025217 (ebook) | ISBN 9781608687596 (paperback) | ISBN 9781608687602 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Manekin, Thibault. | Businesspeople--United States--Biography. | Social entrepreneurship. | Social responsibility of business. | Social movements.

Classification: LCC HC102.5.M25 A3 2021 (print) | LCC HC102.5.M25 (ebook) | DDC 338/.04092 [B]--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021025216

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021025217

First printing, November 2021

ISBN 978-1-60868-759-6

Ebook ISBN 978-1-60868-760-2

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10987654321

To Charlie, for helping me open my eyes and my heart.

And to my two incredible sons, Finley and Durban.
Always remember: there is no mountain so tall we wont climb it and no wave so big we wont ride it.

I ll never forget the first time I heard a Thibault Manekin speech. It was the spring of 2016, over five years ago now, and I had just walked offstage following my talk at the tail end of Baltimores Light City event. Inspired by festivals like South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, Light City is a celebration of the creative spirit of my hometown of Baltimore, and it was an honor to participate as a speaker for the inaugural edition. Over the prior few days, the citys famous waterfront had transformed into a spectacle of light exhibitions, music performances, parades, local cuisine, and panels on innovation and thought leadership. I had moved back to Baltimore after a few years living in New York City and, as with many other native Marylanders, the festival had reinvigorated my excitement about the future of the city. There was a tinge of exhaustion in the air, and about half of the crowd had either filed out or were on their way out after I wrapped up my speech. By that point the sense was that folks had been given enough to think over and were ready to go home. Then Thibault appeared as Light Citys final speaker.

If we hadnt met leading up to the event and spoken earlier that day, I might have thought hed stumbled out there by mistake. Thibault sauntered up to the podium wearing a simple pair of jeans and moccasin loafers. The event wasnt exactly a black-tie affair, but most presenters wore dresses or slacks and sports coats these were business leaders, after all. In true form, Thibault set down his speaking notes, rolled up the sleeves of his casual plaid button-up, and addressed the audience with an enthusiasm so sincere it caught me off guard.

Last one, right? Thibault announced, eliciting a few hoots and hollers from the crowd. Cool we are almost there.