The Difference You Make

Changing Your World through the Impact of Your Influence

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About

Everyone has influence. Each day your actions, your words, and your relationships impact those around you. So there’s only one question: What will you do with the influence you have?

In The Difference You Make, Pat Williams, senior vice president and co-founder of the Orlando Magic and renowned motivational speaker, introduces us to scores of people who are changing the world by influencing lives, from the famous—like Coach John Wooden, Michael Jordan, and Joni Eareckson Tada—to the little known. He takes us inside his battle with cancer, his fascinating experiences in the sports world, and his amazing journey as a father of nineteen and grandfather of twelve.

Pat tells us about the mentors and benefactors who have shaped his life—and he shares the secrets of their impact. “This book is deeply personal to me,” says Pat. “I wrote it to ‘pay it forward’ on behalf of all those to whom I am deeply indebted, and whom I can never repay.”

He also shares practical, life-changing principles that you can put to work in your family, workplace, classroom, church, and community—principles such as servanthood, mentoring, empowerment, character, unselfish action, and the power of your written and spoken words. The stories and insights in this book will inspire you to look at your life in a whole new way, and to live your life as a role model, a powerful testimony, and an example for others to follow.


Endorsements

"We all have an enormous sphere of influence, though we're not always aware of the influence we have. After you read The Difference You Make, you'll never take your influence for granted again. Pat Williams gives you all the tools you need to refine, enrich, and expand your influence on the world around you."--Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons head coach

"As coaches, we are challenged on a daily basis to give the young people we work with the tools to be successful in life. We hope to show them what it means to think of others before themselves, to never set limits to their goals and dreams, and to always reach for the pinnacle of achievement. Sometimes we as teachers can use a road map of our own, a means of encouragement to remind us what we can do in our position to help shape the next generation. Pat has made this one of his important and guiding principles, and in this book, he shows just how we can use our influence for a positive purpose. This should be recommended reading, not only for coaches, but for people in all walks of life, as a blueprint of what is possible in our role as difference-makers."--Muffet McGraw, University of Notre Dame head women's basketball coach

"Pat Williams has spent the majority of his life influencing people to help make them better. His guidance for all of those he has touched has helped shape many successful lives. I know of no one more capable of helping others realize their potential and the 'difference they can make' more than Pat Williams."--Terry Collins, New York Mets manager

"Pat Williams is a man of great influence in his book The Difference You Make. I love the way he reminds us that we all have the power to influence and be influenced. Pat challenges us and encourages us to accept that role to become a positive difference in the lives of others."--Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings head coach

"As a longtime coach in the NFL, I have always believed in the power of influence. After all, if you're not influencing others in a positive way, then what are you living for? In The Difference You Make, Pat Williams not only inspires us to be people of influence, but he gives us the practical steps and tools we need to impact others in a powerful way."--Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs head coach

"I've read Pat Williams's The Difference You Make, and I really enjoyed it. This book is packed with valuable new insights about how to have a powerful, positive impact on people in your life. Read it and put these principles into practice. This book is a game changer."--Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers manager

"Pat Williams always does an outstanding job in each of his books in terms of sharing life lessons through his personal stories. The Difference You Make resonated with me because the focus is the impact and influence you can have on others, and how that defines you as a person more than anything. That's why I enjoy coaching and why I think coaching is one of the greatest professions--you have the ability to impact the lives of young people each and every day. Pat has certainly impacted many people in a positive way through his life, and this book shares some great stories of how Pat and others attained success because of the influence other people had with them along the way."--Nick Saban, University of Alabama head football coach

"As we move forward in life we realize that motivation from others is so short lived. The people who truly inspire us and influence us stand out in our lives and stand the test of time. Pat Williams has captured those people and qualities so well in this latest work of art, The Difference You Make. Using this book will be a force."--Tom Crean, Indiana University head men's basketball coach

"I've known Pat Williams for over fifty years and can assure you that he understands the impact of influence we have on others. Stop what you're doing and start reading Pat's latest book. It'll be a life-changer for you!"--Jon McGlocklin, Milwaukee Bucks longtime player and broadcaster

"If you want to live a life of significance, then live to impact others! The Difference You Make is an indispensable resource for all people of influence. In its pages, Pat Williams gives you the practical insights and powerful motivation you need to live a life of influence in your home, your workplace, your community, and your world."--Dr. Tony Evans, The Urban Alternative founder and president

"Pat Williams didn't just write the book on influence. He's lived a life of influence as a father to nineteen kids, as a sports executive, and as an author and speaker. In The Difference You Make, Pat shows you, step by step, how to have a powerful, positive, lasting impact on the world by influencing the people around you--one person at a time."--Dabo Swinney, Clemson University Tigers head football coach

"I have read every book by Pat Williams, and The Difference You Make is one of my favorites. Upon reading this book, every reader will come to realize that each of us has the ability to make a difference."--Steve Alford, University of New Mexico head basketball coach

"Pat Williams has written a crucial book for these troubled times. Now, more than ever, we need people of influence who will step up and challenge the status quo. The Difference You Make will give you the inspiration, motivation, and practical tools to make a positive impact on your world and on generations to come."--John Calipari, University of Kentucky head men's basketball coach, 2012 NCAA Basketball Champions


The Authors

  1. Pat Williams

    Pat Williams

    Pat Williams retired as senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic in 2019 to head up an effort to bring major league baseball to Orlando. He has more than 50 years of professional sports experience, and has written more than 100 books, including the...

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  2. James D. Denney

    James D. Denney

    Jim Denney is the author of Walt's Disneyland, Answers to Satisfy the Soul, Writing in Overdrive, and the Timebenders series for young readers. He has written many books with Pat Williams, including Coach Wooden, The...

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  3. Jim Denney

    Jim Denney

    Jim Denney is the author of Walt's Disneyland, Answers to Satisfy the Soul, Writing in Overdrive, and the Timebenders series for young readers. He has written many books with Pat Williams, including Coach Wooden, The...

    Continue reading about Jim Denney