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The Encore Effect: How to Achieve Remarkable Performance in Anything You Do

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Whether you want to win that new account or inspire your family and friends, bestselling author and acclaimed speaker Mark Sanborn shows us how to make every performance count.

Every day, we are called to perform— at work, at home, in our communities. But is it possible to make every performance outstanding, the kind that leaves people applauding for an encore?

Mark Sanborn, leadership expert and bestselling author of The Fred Factor , says that anyone can achieve remarkable performance time after time—no matter what their personality, strengths, or weaknesses. In The Encore Effect Sanborn demonstrates, through his own experiences as well as those of the people he’s worked with in his career, how you can cultivate the traits shared by remarkable performers and achieve extraordinary results in all aspects of your life. The secrets lie in five

The fuel for remarkable performance
How remarkable performance begins
It won’t make you perfect, but it will make you better
How to engage your audience
Making your performance shine

Whether your “stage” is an office, a sales floor, the boardroom, or your own home, Sanborn’s sound advice and rousing encouragement will help you shine in every situation where it matters most.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

6 people are currently reading
455 people want to read

About the author

Mark Sanborn

70 books107 followers
Mark Sanborn is an international known author, motivational speaker, and the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea studio for leadership development. He gives nearly one hundred presentations each year on leadership, team building, customer service, and mastering change. Mark and his family live near Denver, Colorado.

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5 stars
109 (30%)
4 stars
115 (32%)
3 stars
96 (26%)
2 stars
33 (9%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa C.
416 reviews
November 26, 2012
Like so many of these self-help styled books, the whole work could have been summed up in a detailed outline. Although it served to offer a useful kick in the pants and provide some worthy reminders, on the whole, I learned nothing and got little out of it past the first few chapters.
Profile Image for Melanie.
377 reviews6 followers
February 6, 2017
I've been reading more of the self-helps lately, and I thought this was a really good one. Short, but thought provoking.
Profile Image for Cindy (BKind2Books).
1,820 reviews40 followers
April 5, 2015
I liked this book, but it's truly nothing new. The author gives us his view on what it takes to be the go-to person, the one who gives their best and achieves success. Passion, discipline, and action leads to the "encore effect" - those who are called upon again and again to repeat their performance. It's the difference between just getting by and doing your best. Good ideas and insights - just not new ideas and insights.
13 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2011
Thanks to Mark Sanborn I now know how to provide remarkable performances in everything I do. He provides a full proof plan for helping you being "average" and take you to the next level.
Profile Image for Jessica.
763 reviews23 followers
January 6, 2017
Required reading for my job and it's a category in the popsugar 2017 challenge. Check and check.
Profile Image for Brian Cluster.
134 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2019
Mark Sanborn in his accessible style brings great insights to everyone learning to improve their performance. In The Encore Effect, he brings in historical examples from politics, business, science and education to demonstrate what an Encore Effect looks like.

He says that best performances follow all four below. But good performance may just achieve one of the below:

1) Move us to act
2) Make us feel good
3) Cause us to act
4) Makes us think


Preparing for great presentations:
When you have to prepare for a presentation focus and plan for what you want the audience to do.
I am specifically working on connecting with audiences so I thought that his steps below here were very helpful:

1) Invite Attention
2) Ignite their interest
3) Involve the audience
4) Include Extras
5) Inspire Actions




He also integrates the Christian lessons into the book which helps me understand things from the business side in the main body of each chapter as well as from the biblical angle.


The Need for Self-Discipline- RUN TO WIN- PAUL 1 Corinthians 9: 24

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

The book is less than 150 pages and can be very helpful for people interested in elevating their game in their professional or personal lives. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Giorgio Dechambre.
29 reviews
August 30, 2025
This book ended up being overshadowed by another one I was reading at the same time, so unfortunately much of the information didn’t really stick with me. It just didn’t stand out in a memorable way. On top of that, the copy I purchased had a strange smell, which was distracting while reading. Overall, I can’t say it left much of an impression on me.
Profile Image for Pam.
9,500 reviews50 followers
October 6, 2024
No new ideas but good to be reminded of this information. Sanborn encourages everyone to push themselves to do better in their fields. The tips are straightforward and the anecdotes work to make his point.
620 reviews4 followers
June 14, 2018
Good advice clearly given. Not as inspiring as the title might suggest, but worth the time regardless.
Profile Image for Marcia.
Author 3 books26 followers
March 17, 2018
This is the same author who wrote The Fred Factor. I really loved that book at the time so when I saw this one, I bought it.

Some good bits but nothing earth-shattering. Also, I'm older, have been in the workplace over 20 years and I'm a lot more cynical :0
Profile Image for Steve Weber.
32 reviews67 followers
September 21, 2011
Mark has done it again. Straightforward advice written in a way that is easy to understand. Imagine comparing every action and interaction that you take with a stage performance. Do others applaud your performance and want more from you or are your performances simply noted (or forgotten). Mark give lots of examples and ideas for the reader to use and that can be put into practice right now to increase their ability to perform genuinely. He also makes clear the need for incremental behavioral changes that are never easy but lead to a more fulfilled life.

I originally read this three years ago but was glad to re-read. The lessons are timeless. At only 130 pages it's a quick read.

Full disclosure: I know Mark personally and he's made a huge impact on my professional career and thinking. I'm a fan! You want to read The Fred Factor also written by Mark Sanborn.
Profile Image for Sharon.
659 reviews
December 11, 2008
I can't say this was the most original work that I have ever read, but that is often the case in this genre of business/self-help and a little bit of the kitchen sink. Regardless, I am always looking for some small insights to apply to daily professional and personal tasks as well as to recommend some light yet useful reads to my students. I added this to the quick-read shelf since I finished it in less than two hours. There are a few mantras here penned by the Denver author and business consultant that you might adopt, but otherwise keep doing what you're doing ... the small changes have the biggest impact in the long run.
Profile Image for Paul.
175 reviews
January 19, 2009
This is a decent, but short book on perform better in life. Mark Sanborn is a very good motivational speaker and has written multiple books. His philosophy is that everything in life is a performance and the we should strive to create an "encore effect" in all of our endeavors. Throughout the book he discusses things like preparation and practice that set performances apart and leave the audience wanting more. He also discusses some of the things that keep us from performing at our highest levels and how to overcome them.

Because the book is short, there is not a lot of detail and some of the material is superfluous and presented at a high level.
Profile Image for Jim Serger.
Author 10 books12 followers
March 9, 2012
What a great little book about why people invite us back--back where though? It is why people are given pay raises, why people are asked to come over again for cook outs, why people are asked again to give speeches, it is a little known secret that when people are invited up/over there is something special about them--that is what I gained from this book. Think of it as stated in book,what is the best concert you have ever been to, and did they come back out and play an ENCORE? If yes, then that is the effect of something that is radiant.
Profile Image for Stacy Beck.
349 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2009
I liked the message in the book that only %5 of the population really give life their all, plus some. When you see someone that does, whether at work, in your family, church, etc. you autimatically just want more of the person. They are genuine to themselves and others. They are happy people to watch or be with. It doesn't matter weather your a judge, dr., plumber, cook, or stay-at-home mom, we can all give a perfomance that makes people want to be around us.
Profile Image for Berke Sahbazoglu.
117 reviews7 followers
July 9, 2016
Read this in a day. Was a very concise novel/to do list that told you what to do in order to attain remarkable performance and eventually success. Mark Sanborn also complemented his suggestions with multiple examples that demonstrated exemplary performance. No matter your position you can reach the encore effect by finding what you love. Developing and practicing it. Finally mastery will follow and you will be able to showcase your prowess.

Even a simple baker can have encore performance.
Profile Image for Desiree.
276 reviews32 followers
January 3, 2009
"Until you find your purpose, continue to do things purposefully, with energy and intention...then sometimes the purpose will emerge."

"A person who has never failed is a person who has never tried."

"The point of every remarkable performance is to move people in a positive way..."

Great read, definitely recommended, especially for the winter doldrums....
Profile Image for Ko Matsuo.
569 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2015
Short motivational book to inspire you to stand out by doing the extra work needed to get an encore performance. Typical responses = "Good!" "Excellent" "Great!" Encore performances create responses such as "Amazing!" "Remarkable!" "Extraordinary!" "Unbelievable!" Love the distinction, love the motivation, love the short length of the book.
3 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2010
This is an book for those who are seeking to develop themselves personally and professionally. The free on-line assessment was a real awakeneing. This is certainly a must read for those who dare to come face to face with themselves!
Profile Image for Derek.
253 reviews11 followers
August 9, 2016
Good, quick read. He states the purpose at the beginning and does provide some brief and useful reminders to keep pushing on the path. Some examples are a little weak or small scale, but not many are courageous enough to go small and dig into the little things that "common people" do. Well done.
Profile Image for Jason.
4 reviews
May 9, 2016
This is an encouraging short read. Don't buy into the negative reviews that this book doesn't offer anything new. Of course it doesn't. There's nothing new under the sun. It's another great leadership book that can be consumed quickly.
289 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2008
Short and sweet. It is a good reminder of how to function in todays society. I really liked the way it was laid out.
Profile Image for Jamie.
45 reviews
February 6, 2009
An easy read, but offers a unique perspective into performance and how to deliver a consitently stellar performance in all facets of life.
7 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2009
Excellent Book. This book tells us that anyone in any position should seek an encore. Encores are not just reserved for those in the performing arts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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