Testimonials

If improving your leadership skills is your desire, then Cliff Karthauser is someone you should listen to. Cliff has successfully and modestly attained success through sports as a competitive distance runner and through business as an Executive with Principal Financial Group. Cliff is a renowned motivational speaker and of course, a family man extraordinaire. His friendship, guidance and encouragement have helped me improve the leadership culture within our company. I am greatly appreciative.

Breaking the Tape is excellent work! The reading is rhythmic and captures the reader to the point of wanting more. Cliff Karthauser writes in the same manner he lives his life, with passion. I’ve known Cliff for over 30 years and his reputation is one of excellence and outstanding leadership yet he retains a high degree of humility and thankfulness for his opportunities in life. This book is a great read with many lessons and at the end you’ll understand how passion plays a great role in leadership I’m blessed to have a friend like Cliff.

Cliff Karthauser has been part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership for more than 20 years as a part of our board at the state and area levels. Cliff is committed to be a servant-leader in his relationships with people, which is the indispensable quality of great leadership. That combined with his many years of experience in leadership roles has been a great blessing not only to the FCA as an organization but also to me personally. I think you will be blessed by the reading of this book.

Cliff is a unique kind of leader. Cliff is one of those leaders who will do anything it takes to model leadership verses talking about it. A servant leader strives to outwork those who follow and Cliff is certainly a perfect example of that. While his success spans across many industries, his focus remains the same. Cliff strives to serve. Through doing so he has accomplished more than most will in a life time and he’s just getting started.

Cliff has consistently demonstrated the highest level of leadership for many years. Through the gift of his book, you can learn from the master and be inspired by the passion that drove Cliff to be successful and world class as an athlete, in his professional career and most importantly in life. Cliff’s book provides a powerful message relating to the ups and downs of life and how a leader can take personal responsibility to achieve to their highest level.

I’ve known Cliff for more than thirty years. His leadership capabilities are extraordinary. Cliff has achieved in every area of his life and has done so by having a sense of purpose. His transferable skills presented in his book, Breaking the Tape, will provide your with a road map to being the best you can be. A must-read for all leaders!”

Cliff and I met eight years ago at a financial services industry meeting.   We clicked right away.  Our shared interest in high performance and motivation, in team work, discipline, and in what talented people do to reach their potential brought us together.  We have since worked together, and strategized about business, family and life.  Breaking the Tape is an inspirational story that exemplifies purpose driven leadership, and teaches the fundamental secrets to turning life’s challenges into opportunities.

Cliff is an inspirational leader and has been an important role model for me professionally and personally. He understands the true meaning of leadership and the impact purpose driven leadership can have on building a healthy work culture and a successful business. Breaking the Tape is an opportunity for you to learn how to be a more effective leader.

I have known Cliff for many decades both personally and in the business world. Words that come to mind in describing Cliff have to do with his passion and life’s purpose. He is principled, focused, family first, humble, physically fit, ethical, value driven, intellectual with business savvy, forward thinking, and faith filled. He has touched my life and the lives of others in so many positive ways. He is one great person with much to share. He is a person that if in a fight I would want in my Foxhole.

It is always enlightening to read insights on leadership that were forged in the heat of the real world, business setting. That’s what we have in Cliff Karthauser. On top of that, his personal values make him the kind of leader anyone would love to have their son or daughter work for and learn from. Cliff’s combination of drive, integrity, and genuine commitment contribute greately to the success of others.

Cliff Karthauser is one of the most focused, passionate and purposeful leaders I have ever met. His strong values, work ethic, commitment to family and faith shine through in Breaking the Tape. Cliff has stood on the shoulders of those great leaders who came before him and created an incredible legacy of inspiration, influence and impact for generations of new leaders. It’s been an honor to watch Cliff inspire others’ lives and careers for over 20 years! God bless!

An organization’s purpose should be defined by its leader and expanded into every facet of that business. Associated with Cliff for over 30 years, I have personally witnessed that his transformational style is a declaration of purpose driven leadership. Breaking the Tape will allow its readers to clarify their purpose and make it the essence of who they are and how they lead.

I never think about setting a national record in the 880 yard run in 1971. What I do often think about is standing on the track at Burke Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, before it happened. While Cliff grabbed my sweats, the coach of the runner next to me said, ‘He’s never been beaten.’ My brother quickly replied, ‘Not until today.’ That determined the outcome before the race was even run. I would win that day and I would run faster than anyone my age had ever run before. In that moment, the hard part was done; the easy part was the running. Cliff’s three simple words illustrate that leaders don’t need big speeches to impact outcomes.

Cliff Karthauser is a first class proven leader and professional in business and in life. Cliff is a tremendous developer of people in helping them achieve extraordinary results by leading by example and modeling the way. His tremendous success in business and in life are due to his tireless work ethic, excellent leadership skills, high achievement drive, strong business acumen and his caring about people and outcomes.

Cliff is the most impactful leader I have ever worked with. His passion for people and drive for success are second to none. Simply put, I’m a better person and professional thanks to his leadership and influence.

Cliff knows a lot about leadership and now he is telling all in Breaking the Tape. It’s never your own strength that helps you succeed, but instead it’s the Strength of Purpose that leads us. This is a must read for all those who hope to succeed in their chosen career!