In 2008, a little book called The Go-Giver took the business book world by storm, and still is a perennial favorite. Bob Burg and John David Mann’s The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea is a parable that showed how giving could actually increase profits, rather than diminish them. More than that, it showed that those who don’t give, actually struggle more, and are likely in a position to fail.

In 2010, Burg and Mann released Go-Givers Sell More, which was not a parable or story, but a straight-up guide about the values of giving. This proves these guys aren’t just good story tellers (they are that, too) but provides clear details on how to apply The Go-Giver principles to your business; with examples and further insights.

Now, in 2011 Burg and Mann return to the parable format with their thought-provoking new book, It’s Not About You. Burg and Mann’s story unties some of the knotty myths about what makes a good leader. Wisdom cannot be forced. People cannot be forced. Even if you think your way is the only way, intimidation and manipulation won’t get you very far. Instead, the authors present a number of intriguing and atypical leadership ideas that include a few lessons in linguistics (choose the right words and understanding what they really mean matters), attention to detail (don’t lead from above, experience what it is to work below), what’s important (your employees are people, and when you show your human side, those people respond), and so on. With the ultimate message being, as the title says, leading is “not about you.”

With It’s Not About You, Bob Burg and John David Mann once again succeed in breathing new energy into the business parable, and really, It’s Not About You is a life lesson for everyone. The good news is that we are giving away 20 copies of the book over on inBubbleWrap this week!