The A Player: The Definitive Playbook and Guide for Employees and Leaders Who Want to Play and Perform at the Highest Level

Reviews on Amazon

“Rick Crossland has written a very solid book about an important topic. He lays out the case for why having top performers is so important to the success of a business (or any organization for that matter). And then, more importantly, he goes into great detail about the specific mindset, strategies, and systems to implement the A Player system. This book is both inspirational and educational. Worth buying for the whole executive team, so everyone can understand the importance of A Players.”

– J. Jubelirer

“The A Player decodes the DNA of a high performing employee in any business and provides practical steps to become one. It describes the positive impact an A Player can have on the transformation of teams and business in the long run. Rick Crossland blends the takeaways from his experience and the knowledge gained from extensive reading to present the A Player attributes that guarantee lasting success for both the employee and the organization. This is one of the best books I’ve read recently, and it helped me to make an honest assessment of myself and understand my team better. The typical annual performance reviews and feedback do not spell out the expectations of an A Player in complete detail. This book bridges that gap and is a must-read for anyone who wants to make significant performance improvements and add greater value to his or her organization. Though the book is primarily focused on the U.S. work environment, the concepts and recommendations are universally applicable.”

– S. Choppara

“I was struggling with a decision about what to do with an employee and could not sleep. At 2:30 a.m., I grabbed my copy of The A Player and started reading and writing notes. The A Player is a great guidebook for self-assessment by employees and leaders, and especially how leaders need to evaluate their team players in relation to the goals and objectives of the company. By 6 a.m., with Rick’s direction, I knew I had to change people or “change” people. My employees will be reading selective portions of The A Player, and we will be using it for direction going forward.”

– O. Beatty

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is very clear, concise, and accurate in identifying the different types of contributors to an organization … at all levels. The book focuses not only on this but also on giving advice on how to become an A Player. Rick’s ideas stem from his experience as a successful business coach as well as his many years in corporate America. He gives accurate examples, tips, and a self-evaluation tool to see what type of player you currently are. The principles he offers can be applied not only to work but also to any aspect of your life. I would highly recommend this book if your goal is to stand out among your peers and be successful.”

– G. K. Hernandez

“The day after I started reading this book, I recognized opportunities to put Rick’s expert advice into practice at my job. I have a renewed commitment to the mission of my organization and a passion for my work. Reading The A Player has given me the desire to push myself to the next level and further hone my skills. I’m ready for new challenges. Whether you work in a private sector company, government agency, or non-profit, this book will help you become a much better version of yourself!”

– A. Clark

“The A Player is an integral handbook for both employers and employees alike. It is a wonderful roadmap to how to build A Players, manage them, and even become one yourself. The power of A Player talent is the difference in a good company and a great one. This book will help you evaluate, analyze, and then hire the best of the best. It is an easy read, well organized, with plenty of implementable ideas for any leader or employee. I would recommend it to all of my friends and colleagues.”

– J. Spizman