Buy “The Price of Becoming” today and get an exclusive invite to join a live Zoom with Ryan Hawk. Details below.
The Compounding Practices of High Performance
From The Learning Leader’s 700+ conversations with world-class leaders including Jim Collins, Kat Cole, Simon Sinek, and Tony Robbins, the patterns that separate those who continue to rise from those who plateau.
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General Stanley McChrystal
New York Times best-selling author of Team of Teams
“Having led in environments where preparation, discipline, and trust determine outcomes, I found The Price of Becoming deeply authentic. Ryan captures a truth familiar to those in uniform: excellence is earned through consistent effort, accountability, and the willingness to stay uncomfortable long after others stop.”
General Stanley McChrystal
New York Times best-selling author of Team of Teams
“Having led in environments where preparation, discipline, and trust determine outcomes, I found The Price of Becoming deeply authentic. Ryan captures a truth familiar to those in uniform: excellence is earned through consistent effort, accountability, and the willingness to stay uncomfortable long after others stop.”
The problem with most leadership advice
Growth comes at a cost
You know what to do. Wake up early. Exercise. Read more. Focus deeply. Build better habits.
But knowing and doing are different games.
Most leadership advice tells you what to do. This book shows you how to keep doing it when it gets hard, boring, or unrewarding… Which is 95% of the time.
The Price of Becoming applies the logic of compound interest to becoming a higher performer and more effective leader. Drawing from 700+ conversations with leaders like Jim Collins, Kat Cole, Simon Sinek, Liz Wiseman, Tony Robbins, Admiral William McRaven, and Jocko Willink, Ryan Hawk distills what actually works into a clear, actionable framework.
You’ll learn:
- How small, consistent inputs create disproportionate results over time
- How to continue climbing when others plateau
- How to implement a “never arrived” mindset AND how to make that enjoyable
Buffett and Munger have a rule: never interrupt compounding unnecessarily. This book helps you apply that rule to your overall life.
Habits, routines, rituals, consistency. The slow power of compounding. It’s not sexy, it’s not flashy, and it takes a while. Some think it’s boring.
But the people who crush it have a willingness and ability to get up and do it, day after day.
“Ryan Hawk is a master of dualities: He’s a great leader, but also a ferocious learner. He’s an accomplished athlete, but he’s also excelled in the business world. He’s eminently interesting, but he’s also genuinely interested. Ryan has uncovered the secrets of what the best leaders do and how they think.”
Liz Wiseman
New York Times bestselling author of Multipliers and Rookie Smarts
What leaders and bestselling authors are saying about Ryan and his books
“Ryan Hawk is that rarest of people. A truly curious soul who asks questions that drill down into the heart of the matter, leave space for contemplation, and gently urge his subjects to look inside for answers they might not yet have discovered themselves.”
Robert Kurson
New York Times best-selling Author of Shadow Divers
“From the time he was a young high school and collegiate quarterback to the present, Ryan Hawk has always had the passion to serve and to lead. His presentations, podcasts, and now his book will make a difference in many lives.”
Jim Tressel
former National Champion, Ohio State University football coach, and Lt. Governor of Ohio
“I knew Ryan Hawk was serious when he interviewed me. His preparation was exceptional, his curiosity genuine. In combat sports, you see who did the work and who didn’t. There’s nowhere to hide. Ryan brings that same ruthless clarity to excellence in any arena. The Price of Becoming shows exactly what the best do differently. Not the motivational speech version, but the actual daily practices they won’t compromise on. If you’re serious about your craft, read this book.”
Ariel Helwani
Multiple-time MMA Journalist of the Year
“Ryan Hawk is an amazing speaker. He brings incredible personal credibility and great stories to any learning program. I can’t recommend him enough.”
McKeel Hagerty
Former Global Board Chairman of YPO
“Ryan doesn’t just teach leadership—he applies real-world strategies that help you grow and lead with confidence.”
Stephanie Wernick Barker
President, Mondo
9 things this book will teach you
1
Why continuous improvement follows the same math as compound interest… And how to apply it to skills, relationships, and decision-making
2
How to build through mindful imitation before finding your own voice (every master started by copying others)
3
The questions that challenge assumptions and create the conditions for growth
4
What everyone gets wrong about “the hard way” – why difficulty is a feature, not a bug
5
How to measure progress in years, not days—and how this shift changes everything
6
Writing and selling as leadership tools… How articulating ideas creates clarity and influence
7
How to lead without waiting for permission. The moves that signal readiness before the title arrives
8
The practice of reflection and intention that separates good leaders from great ones
9
Why teaching others is the fastest path to mastery—and how to do it while speeding up your own growth
Pre-order now and get exclusive bonuses
Step 2
Claim your free bonuses
- Live Zoom with Ryan. Pre-order the book and you’ll be invited to a Live Zoom with Ryan on book launch week.
- Instant digital access. Pre-order the hardcover and we’ll send you the complete digital book to your inbox immediately — start reading today while your copy is on its way.
Bulk orders
Bring these ideas to your entire organization
Bulk orders include opportunities for direct engagement with Ryan, including Zoom sessions or in-person keynotes for your team.
- Minimum order: 50 books
- Orders of 100+: Email Ryan@LearningLeader.com to discuss bulk order bonuses
About the author
Ryan Hawk
Built through repetition
I spent my early life pursuing excellence in sports. Daily practice. Learning from great coaches. Growing up in a home with a family full of ambitious, competitive people…
In my first sales job, I interviewed the top performers in my company. I took bits and pieces from each one and mashed it together with my style… Eventually, I became one of the most productive reps in the company.
That curiosity became an obsession.
For 11 years, I’ve hosted The Learning Leader Show. 700+ conversations with world-class leaders, operators, and thinkers. Millions of downloads in 150+ countries. Regularly ranks as the #1 business podcast on Apple.
The Price of Becoming is the synthesis. All of my life experiences + those conversations distilled into one framework: how small, consistent inputs create disproportionate results over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy the book?
The Price of Becoming is available at all major retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Click here to buy it.
How do I claim my pre-order bonuses?
Pre-order from any retailer, then forward your purchase receipt to LearningLeaderBook@gmail.com. You’ll receive immediate access to the Introduction and first two chapters, plus an invitation to a live Zoom with Ryan during launch week.
What's the minimum for a bulk order?
The minimum bulk order is 50 books. For orders of 100 or more, email Ryan@LearningLeader.com to discuss additional bonuses, including Zoom sessions or in-person keynotes for your team.
Who is this book for?
Ambitious people who want to improve their performance and make a difference… And are willing to put in the work over time. If you believe in the slow, steady power of consistency over quick wins, this book is for you.
Who is this book NOT for?
Anyone looking for shortcuts, hacks, or overnight transformations. This book is about compounding… Small inputs over long periods. If you want flashy and fast, you might not like this book.
The people who crush it show up and do the work, day after day
The Price of Becoming: The Compounding Practices of High Performance
Available July 21, 2026
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