Don't Do Business with Dicks: How to Ditch Toxicity and Align Yourself with Positive Influences -- David Meltzer, Hardcover

Pragmatic principles for success and strategies to help you overcome your biggest obstacle--you--by surrounding yourself with the right people, ideas, and environments

As Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute and former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment (the inspiration for Jerry Maguire), where his first major task was to bring home negotiations for returning the NFL's Rams to Los Angeles from St. Louis, David Meltzer followed his boss's instructions: "Don't negotiate to the last penny. Always be fair. Don't do business with dicks."

Since then, David's taken this advice on as his mantra, not just for negotiating high-stakes deals but for navigating life. In Don't Do Business with Dicks, Meltzer distills his wisdom into actionable strategies for cultivating meaningful relationships, aligning yourself with positive influences, and holding fast to your integrity.

Packed with anecdotes and practical advice, you'll discover how to fill your life with all the right stuff and leave behind the negativity and pettiness that stunt growth. Adopt a guiding philosophy that empowers you to:

Avoid negative influences and build positive connections Align your actions with your values Cultivate gratitude and accountability Master the art of clear and honest communication Make wise choices in partnerships Navigate the dynamics of different environments Foster a growth mindset

Don't Do Business with Dicks is a call to eliminate toxicity and create your own "gold standard" for success, one built on kindness and integrity. Instead of just focusing on getting what you want, ask yourself--what's standing in your way?

Author: David Meltzer
Publisher: Matt Holt Books
Published: 02/10/2026
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.99lbs
ISBN: 9781637748053

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/15/2025

About the Author
David Meltzer, a distinguished sports executive and former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment (the inspiration for Jerry Maguire), is a top-tier entrepreneur, investor, and business coach. Honored by Variety as Sports Humanitarian of the Year and a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, David's influence extends across multiple platforms as the Executive Producer of Apple TV's 2 Minute Drill and Office Hours, Entrepreneur's #1 digital business show Elevator Pitch, Netflix's Beyond the Secret, and Cheddar's #1 show Go Fund Yourself. He appears in numerous books, films, and TV shows like World's Greatest Motivators and Think and Grow Rich, and is driven by a mission to empower over one billion people to be happy by delivering unparalleled value through his content and interactions.