Be Where Your Feet Are
Seven Principles to Keep You Present, Grounded, and Thriving
Overview of Be Where Your Feet Are
In "Be Where Your Feet Are," former 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil reveals how losing his high-profile job led to life-changing mindfulness. What leadership secret did Peter Guber share that transformed O'Neil's approach to both boardroom success and family connection?
Key Themes in Be Where Your Feet Are
- radical presence
- digital disconnection
- perspective shifting
- work-life integration
- intentional stillness
Quotes from Be Where Your Feet Are
Be where your feet are.
The good old days aren't in the past-they're happening right now.
Get the life back in your eyes.
When faced with grief, isolation becomes our kryptonite.
Characters in Be Where Your Feet Are
- Scott O'NeilAuthor and sports executive sharing life lessons
- Dave Sholler76ers executive who learned about perspective
- Don JabroHedge fund manager who learned to prioritize family
- Lisa O'NeilScott's wife who provided honest feedback
- Peter GuberScott's mentor who advised him after being fired
About the Author
About the Author of Be Where Your Feet Are
Scott O’Neil, author of Be Where Your Feet Are, is a renowned sports executive and leadership strategist with over 25 years of experience leading global brands like the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and LIV Golf, where he serves as CEO.
Blending personal development with professional insights, his book merges principles of mindfulness and high-performance leadership, drawing from his transformative roles at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Merlin Entertainments.
A Harvard Business School graduate and Villanova alumnus, O’Neil has been featured on CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg, and his leadership philosophies are highlighted in acclaimed works like The Outward Mindset. A frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences, he also serves on boards for Enthusiast Gaming and the Sixers Youth Foundation.
Be Where Your Feet Are, published by St. Martin’s Press, distills his actionable strategies for balancing ambition with presence, resonating with professionals and athletes alike.
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FAQs About This Book
Be Where Your Feet Are teaches seven principles for staying present while pursuing success, including embracing failure and prioritizing relationships. Scott O'Neil shares lessons from leading NBA/NHL teams and parenting, using stories from athletes, executives, and his daughters to illustrate mindful leadership.
Professionals seeking work-life balance, sports enthusiasts, and parents will benefit most. The book resonates with executives managing high-pressure careers and anyone wanting to reduce distraction. Over 25% of Blinkist reviewers called it "life-changing" for improving focus in relationships and leadership roles.
Yes – it ranks among Amazon's top 10 leadership memoirs with 4.6/5 stars. Readers praise its raw storytelling and actionable frameworks. Critics note its value for "anyone feeling overwhelmed by modern life's demands" (Blinkist) and "CEOs wanting emotional intelligence tools" (20 Minute Books).
- Anchor in the present: Eliminate multitasking during key moments
- Fail productively: Reframe setbacks as growth accelerators
- Protect your energy: Time-block recovery like elite athletes
- Lead with vulnerability: Share personal stories to build trust
- Ritualize connections: Weekly "presence checks" with loved ones
- Clarify your non-negotiables: Define 3 lifelong priorities
- Practice radical gratitude: Document daily micro-wins
O'Neil's "failure resumes" technique helps professionals reframe setbacks. The book details how he turned the 76ers' losing streak into engagement innovations, boosting revenue 300% through fan experience focus rather than win-loss metrics.
- "Your calendar is your compass – what gets scheduled gets done": Prioritize presence through intentional time-blocking
- "Failure is fertilizer": Case studies show how rejected marketing pitches led to breakthrough campaigns
- "The most powerful leadership tool is a bedtime story": O'Neil's nightly reading ritual with daughters despite 80-hour work weeks
While Clear focuses on habit systems, O'Neil emphasizes mindset shifts for executives. Both books share neuroscience foundations, but Be Where Your Feet Are adds team leadership strategies via examples from NBA locker rooms and Saudi business deals.
Some reviewers note the principles work best for those with scheduling autonomy. The Wall Street Journal called it "aspirational but challenging for hourly workers." O'Neil addresses this by including adaptable exercises like 2-minute breathing techniques for any schedule.
As CEO of the 76ers/Devils and LIV Golf, O'Neil shares behind-the-scenes stories of transforming struggling franchises. His Mormon conversion at 46 and parenting three daughters ground the leadership lessons in personal growth narratives.
Yes – the "5x5 Rule" suggests spending 5 uninterrupted minutes daily with each family member. O'Neil includes a "presence audit" worksheet used by couples to track quality time versus screen time.
With AI increasing workplace distraction, the book's focus on human connection offers counterbalance. Updated case studies show how O'Neil's principles helped hybrid teams reduce burnout by 40% through "no-meeting Wednesdays".
The book includes 12 practical tools:
- Priority pyramid: Visualize life's non-negotiables
- Energy audit spreadsheet: Track hourly focus levels
- Gratitude scavenger hunts: Family activities to reinforce mindfulness
Downloadable templates are available through the publisher's site.
