A number of people have been of great help to me in writing this book. It would be impossible to thank everyone who has done so, but I would like to highlight a few folks for special commendation.

First of all, I wouldn't have anything to say if I didn't have the privilege of working with great clients who lead terrific businesses. I appreciate the chance to add value to your organizations and to get to know you in the process. Thank you for sharing your stories with my readers—we can all learn from your experiences.

Paul Van De Putte introduced me to my agent Kirk Schroder, Managing Partner of Schroder Fidlow & Titley, PLC in Richmond, Va. Paul, I appreciate the introduction. Thanks for being the kind of person that everyone wants to know and for your friendship. Kirk, this book would not have happened without your work on my behalf. Thank you.

I want to thank my friend Bob Perkins for his wisdom on "leading leaders," which has shaped my own thinking about how to attract and keep A-players. Thanks also to my friend and mentor Walter Green for your time, your interest in me, and for teaching me always to ask and answer the question, "What does success look like?"

Dan Ambrosio, my editor at John Wiley & Sons, Inc., was the person who gave me a shot to publish this book commercially. Thank you, Dan! Thanks also to Christine Moore, Kate Lindsay, and Ashley Allison at Wiley, who did a terrific job of tightening up the writing in this book and making it commercial grade.

Thanks to the many people who took time out of their busy schedules to provide me with their perspective on how to hire A-players, including: Megan Bittle, Tim Bradley, Chris Burkhard, Vita Burdi, Diane Butrus, Colin Drummond, Carl Gersbach, Jay Gettis, Todd Gibson, Rob Gilfillan, Lulu Gonella, Ed and Ellen Griffin, Vic Haas, Verne Harnish, Dave Hartman, Jody and Heather Herzog, Rob Holiday, Elaine Hughes, Greg Hutchings, Barney Kister, Rich Ledbetter, Brad Lyons, Tom McKendry, Tom McShane, Tracy Moore, Mark Peterman, Jeff Phillips, Tyler Ridgeway, Shirley Ann Rizi, Rich Ryffel, Steve Schultz, Barbie Spear, David Spetnagel, Suzanne Taylor, Sam Toumayan, Paul Van De Putte, Mike Vaughan, Karyn Verrett, Tony Vice, Maryann Vitale, and Mike Weiss. Special thanks to Fred Christen for his perspective on building a farm team; to Justin Smith for multiple cell-phone calls about using recruiters wisely; to Matt Todt for his insight on managing recruiters; to Ryan Lafferty for his time, expertise, and for breakfast; and to Tracy Cote and Traci Armstrong for sharing their experiences with recruiting via Twitter.

Thank you very much to Joe Kearfott and Ellen Herrenkohl for reviewing and editing the page proofs of this book—I appreciated it.

Finally, I have an unfair advantage in all of life, including writing a book, because of the woman to whom I am married. Kelly read, edited, and greatly improved everything about this book, from the initial proposal to the final manuscript. Smart, fun, and good looking is a great combination in someone with whom you get to spend your life. Thanks for everything.

—Eric Herrenkohl

Philadelphia, PA