Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dan's Biz Bookshelf: 'Move Your Bus'

If you’re looking for a simple yet powerful framework for success, Ron Clark’s Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life is a must-read. An award-winning educator, Clark uses the analogy of a bus to illustrate the different people in organizations: those who drive momentum, others who keep things steady, and those who hold everyone back. With engaging storytelling, real-world insights, and practical takeaways, Clark’s motivating guide is for anyone looking to improve their performance or lead a more productive team.

Clark breaks down workplace dynamics into five distinct roles: 

• Runners: High achievers who go above and beyond
• Joggers: Steady workers who do their jobs well but don’t push the limits
• Walkers: Those who do just enough to get by
• Riders: Those who drag the team down
• The Driver: The leader who sets the vision and keeps things moving

Using these terms, he presents a strategy designed to create a culture where more people become runners who are energized, motivated, and committed to success.

Unlike many business books, Move Your Bus is light, engaging, with easily applicable principles. Clark’s stories—drawn from his experience in education and leadership—ensure the lessons are relatable and memorable. Whether you’re leading a company, managing a team, or simply trying to push yourself to the next level, you’ll find actionable steps to become a more effective contributor.

Move Your Bus is a quick read, but don’t mistake its brevity for lack of depth. Every chapter is packed with wisdom, and Clark’s no-nonsense approach ensures that each lesson sticks. He reminds us that success isn’t about luck or talent alone; it’s about mindset, effort, and the willingness to push forward even when it’s tough.

The key takeaway from this book is that if you want to get ahead, you need to run, and if you’re in charge of the bus, it’s your job to inspire your team while making sure no one is slowing down the journey.

If you’re a fan of The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon or The 5 Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, you’ll love Move Your Bus. It’s an inspiring, easy-to-digest, and highly actionable guide. Read it, share it with your team, and most importantly, start running!

Dan Beaulieu is president of D.B. Management Group. 

Title: Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life
Author: Ron Clark 
Copyright: Simon and Schuster 2015
Pages: 192
Price: $37.69