“Tom Rath's book, What's the Point?, is a gobsmackingly powerful work.”
Daniel Pink — #1 NYT bestselling author
Now Available
What's the Point?
Turning Purpose Into Your Daily Superpower
In his most personal and provocative book yet, #1 New York Times bestselling author Tom Rath reveals that your daily superpower isn't your title, your salary, or your "brand." It's your ability to contribute to others.
The Big Idea
Purpose isn't something you find — it's something you build every day
I
Building an other-directed life
Discover how the most meaningful lives are built not by looking inward, but by focusing on how you contribute to others every single day.
II
Making purpose plural
Your ability to contribute multiplies across different areas of your life — every meeting, every task, every interaction becomes an opportunity.
III
Leaving a lasting impact
Your daily choices create a legacy that extends far beyond what you'll ever see — planting seeds for a harvest you'll never witness.
What people are saying
“How to live? That is the question and Tom Rath has the answer.”
Susan Cain — #1 NYT bestselling author of Quiet
“Rath flips the central question from 'What do I want?' to 'Who do I help?' That reframe alone is worth the price of admission.”
Chandler Carriker — Amazon, 5★
“A powerful read for anyone invested in raising, guiding, teaching, or mentoring the next generation.”
Maria Shriver — journalist, founder of Shriver Media
“I found myself writing people's names in the margins because of a profound insight that could be helpful to them.”
Margaret H. Greenberg — Amazon, 5★
“Here's what nobody tells you about passion: it's killing careers before they even start.”
Kerry Hannon — Yahoo Finance
“This is the best values / purpose book I have read since 4000 Weeks.”
Liz — Goodreads, 5★
“Fortune 500 leaders look to him as one of the greatest thinkers of his generation.”
Washingtonian
“Your resume dies with you — an awakening truth for sure. Rath blends the philosophical and practical seamlessly throughout this life-changing book.”
Adam Beltz — Amazon, 5★
“To succeed, follow your contribution, not your passion.”
The Globe and Mail
“A necessary counterpoint to Simon Sinek's Start With Why… purpose is something we create through our daily contributions.”
Amy Navarre — Goodreads, 5★
“This book should be required reading for all entering college students — a necessary antidote to the pervasive distraction and self-absorption of our age.”
Dr. Ali Binazir — Amazon, 5★
“It felt like spending time with a knowledgeable best friend who delivered some honest messages with kindness.”
Lorna Hughes — Goodreads, 5★
“From the first chapter this book grabs you with its main idea and doesn't let go — you are a true believer at the end.”
Carolyn Gould — Goodreads, 5★
“I found myself sending excerpts to my closest friends and received replies like Wow and Yikes.”
Amazon reader — 4★
“Packed with insights that linger long after you've put it down — so much so that I've already started reading it again.”
Rick Janiszewski — Goodreads, 5★
“Stop searching for purpose like it's hidden at a retreat somewhere — it is something you build, quietly and consistently, every day.”
Mary — Goodreads, 5★
“It put words to things I've been experiencing… 10/10. No notes. Just gratitude for finding this book when I did.”
Brandi Baker Parcell, M.Ed — LinkedIn
Library
Featured Books
Bestselling books with over 10 million copies sold worldwide
About Tom
Tom is an author and researcher who studies how careers impact health and wellbeing. He has written 12 books that have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.
Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. His book StrengthFinder 2.0 was listed as Amazon's top-selling non-fiction book of all time. Tom's other bestsellers include Strengths Based Leadership, Wellbeing, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged?
Tom is currently co-founder and CEO of CareerSight. He previously led Gallup's workplaces business and served as a Senior Scientist. Tom was also a Vice-Chair of the VHL cancer research organization. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where he has also been a guest lecturer.
"Fortune 500 leaders look to him as one of the greatest thinkers of his generation."
— Washingtonian
Co-Founded by Tom
CareerSight
See More. Choose Better.
Tom co-founded CareerSight to give everyone equal access to see real work in action before committing their time, education, and energy. Through video-first career previews and an AI career guide, CareerSight helps you discover careers that truly match your interests and talents.
"How to live? That is the question and Tom Rath has the answer... Rath draws on his decades of research and his deep humanity to point you in the right direction, and to instill your journey with joy and meaning."