Adam Witty believes business leaders should write books for the right reasons.
To simplify the publishing process for busy executives, he created a done-for-you system that soon caught Forbes’ attention. This collaboration led to the creation of Forbes Books, a platform helping leaders worldwide become authors and amplify their authority in their fields.
One author, in particular, left a lasting impact on Witty. The businessman shared that he wanted to “die empty”—to leave nothing of value unshared. “Adam, I’ve achieved everything I could have dreamed of financially,” the man told him. “Now, I look at the remainder of my life this way: if I die with all of this knowledge still inside me that could have helped somebody, shame on me.”
For Witty, this interaction became a guiding inspiration for his work with writers. “This was a man doing this for all the right reasons,” he said.
Having helped more than 2,000 executives publish books, Witty has witnessed firsthand the humility of many powerful leaders. “I’ll hear people say, ‘I just don’t have the ego to write a book,’” Witty shared on the podcast. “That’s a very simple way of looking at it. If you truly believe that you can share what you know to help others, you owe it to yourself—and to others—to share that.”
In this episode, Witty dives into more lessons, including:
Above all, Witty encourages leaders to use every available platform to share their knowledge. “If you want to create impact at scale, sharing what you know through a book, podcasting, blogging, or speaking is a phenomenal way to do that,” he explained. “To give everything I know that can benefit and serve others so that, when I die, I can say, ‘I’ve died empty’—that’s a pretty cool way to look at it.”
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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