Marcus Buckingham author photo

Marcus Buckingham

Marcus Buckingham is an English author, researcher, and business consultant specializing in strengths-based management, leadership, and employee engagement. Best known for co-authoring the bestsellers First, Break All the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths, his work has sold millions of copies globally and influenced modern workplace practices through research-driven insights and widely adopted tools.

Biography & Author's Journey

Marcus Buckingham was born in England and shaped by an early challenge: overcoming a childhood stammer that, through a pivotal moment addressing his peers, instilled in him both empathy and resilience. He later attended Cambridge University, earning a master’s degree in social and political science in 1987, and at sixteen first encountered Don Clifton of Gallup, setting the stage for a lifelong preoccupation with human potential, strengths, and performance.

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Quotes

quote
Talent is the multiplier. The more energy and attention you invest in it, the greater the yield. The time you spend with your best is, quite simply, your most productive time
-First, Break All the Rules
quote
People leave managers, not companies
-First, Break All the Rules
quote
You will excel only by maximizing your strengths, never by fixing your weaknesses
-A-Z Quotes
quote
Focusing on strengths is the surest way to greater job satisfaction, team performance and organizational excellence
-QuoteFancy
quote
You grow most in your areas of greatest strength. You will improve the most, be the most creative, be the most inquisitive, and bounce back the fastest in those areas where you have already shown some natural advantage over everyone else—your strengths
-A-Z Quotes
quote
Everyone can probably do at least one thing better than ten thousand other people
-First, Break All the Rules
quote
People don't change that much. Don't waste time trying to put in what was left out. Try to draw out what was left in. That is hard enough
-First, Break All the Rules
quote
We can never achieve goals that envy sets for us. Looking at your friends and wishing you had what they had is a waste of precious energy. Because we are all unique, what makes another happy may do the opposite for you
-Success Story
quote
The Four Keys of Great Managers: When selecting someone, they select for talent ... not simply experience, intelligence or determination. When setting expectations, they define the right outcomes ... not the right steps. When motivating someone, they focus on strengths ... not on weaknesses. and When developing someone, they help him find the right fit ... not simply the next rung on the ladder
-A-Z Quotes
quote
Define excellence vividly, quantitatively. Paint a picture for your most talented employees of what excellence looks like. Keep everyone pushing and pushing toward the right-hand edge of the bell curve
-First, Break All the Rules

Popular Books

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The Neuropsychology of Self-Mastery
LEARNING PLAN

The Neuropsychology of Self-Mastery

This plan bridges the gap between brain science and personal agency, offering a biological blueprint for self-regulation. It is essential for high-performers and leaders looking to overcome subconscious barriers and master their internal landscape.

30 m3 Sections
The Hidden Drivers of Human Behavior
LEARNING PLAN

The Hidden Drivers of Human Behavior

Understanding the unseen psychological forces that dictate our actions is essential for effective leadership and communication. This plan is ideal for professionals, managers, and anyone looking to master social intelligence and group dynamics.

30 m3 Sections
The Human Behavior Blueprint
LEARNING PLAN

The Human Behavior Blueprint

This blueprint is essential for anyone looking to navigate complex social landscapes with precision and psychological insight. It is particularly valuable for leaders, negotiators, and individuals seeking to master both interpersonal influence and personal habit formation.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
Master Mind, Habits & Behavioral Science
LEARNING PLAN

Master Mind, Habits & Behavioral Science

This plan bridges the gap between neurological theory and practical application for anyone seeking total self-mastery. It is ideal for professionals, leaders, and individuals looking to optimize their performance by understanding the science of how they think and act.

4 h 21 m4 Sections
The Maverick's Guide to High-Stakes Influence
LEARNING PLAN

The Maverick's Guide to High-Stakes Influence

In modern organizations, merit alone isn't enough to move the needle on bold ideas. This guide is designed for ambitious leaders and intrapreneurs who need to navigate political minefields and master the art of psychological persuasion to achieve results.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
The Behavioral Science of Reading People
LEARNING PLAN

The Behavioral Science of Reading People

This plan is essential for professionals in leadership, negotiations, or law enforcement who need to look beyond surface-level interactions. It provides a scientific framework for interpreting human behavior and uncovering the truth in high-stakes environments.

30 m3 Sections
The Confidence Blueprint
LEARNING PLAN

The Confidence Blueprint

In today’s fast-paced professional world, technical skills are often overshadowed by the ability to communicate and decide with authority. This plan is designed for emerging leaders and professionals who want to bridge the gap between their expertise and their executive presence.

1 h 36 m4 Sections
Master Focus, Energy, and Productivity
LEARNING PLAN

Master Focus, Energy, and Productivity

In an era of constant digital distraction, mastering your attention is the ultimate competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals and high-achievers who want to stop feeling busy and start being effective by aligning their biology with their work habits.

5 h 7 m4 Sections

Community Voices

"Marcus Buckingham is one of the most respected authorities in the world on management and leadership"

Book Series In Order

"Marcus Buckingham’s debut, First, Break All the Rules, was named one of the top 100 business books ever and sold over a million copies"

BooksOnBoard.com

"Marcus Buckingham's style is engaging yet data-driven, challenging conventional wisdom with a focus on individuality"

BooksOnBoard.com

"Marcus Buckingham has authored several influential books examining workplace myths and truths to help people change the workplace for the better"

Book Series In Order

"Marcus Buckingham’s books blend rigorous research with practical advice, delivering roadmaps for unlocking human potential"

BooksOnBoard.com

"As Head of ADP Research Institute since 2017, Marcus Buckingham continues to influence global workplace trends"

BooksOnBoard.com

"Marcus Buckingham’s book Go Put Your Strengths to Work lays out a six-step plan for applying strengths daily"

BooksOnBoard.com

"Marcus Buckingham launched the 'strengths revolution,' transforming talent management in global companies like Toyota and Microsoft"

BooksOnBoard.com

"Marcus Buckingham introduced the StrengthsFinder tool, used by over 25 million people worldwide to identify and leverage unique talents"

BooksOnBoard.com

"Marcus Buckingham’s 2019 Harvard Business Review article, 'The Feedback Fallacy,' was deemed one of HBR’s most influential"

BooksOnBoard.com

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