Overall 4 Stars of out 5: ****
For the most part this is a good read. Jack offers wisdom to anyone wanting to climb the corporate ladder. I’ll admit initially having a hard time with the audible book, because he sounds remarkably like Joe Pesce. But once I got past that, I appreciated some of the bits of advice. I’m more of an entrepreneur, so some of the things felt more targeted to a “company man” or a “company woman” who plans to spend their entire career at one organization. However, I enjoyed some very compelling pieces that resonated with how I like to manage my teams.
First, Jack goes into detail on, and revisits frequently, the concept of candor. Being candid with your team, your team mates, and even the organization on the state of things is powerful. I’ve often prided myself on the service I can provide to employees who need some frank guidance on their careers. Mainly delivering information that is awkward for other managers to deliver is often a way I differentiate myself from other leaders. Per Jack, being candid is the only way to help people know where they stand and ends up building trust. I agree.
I also really like his statement that the head of HR is as important as the CEO. As a VP, one of the services I am constantly challenged with is ensuring I have the right talent, enough talent, and properly motivated and trained talent to meet the needs of my company. The head of HR is a critical partner in helping me find and prepare our talent for meeting current needs and for scaling the company.
Jack also talks about his 20/70/10 rule where he particularly presses the point that you need to actively train and nurture your middle 70. Lots of books discuss empowering your top performers, but in addition to that, Jack also drives the message that you should heavily invest in your middle 70. They are the body of your workforce, and if you invest in them, they will swing the direction of your company’s future.
I listed Jack’s 8 Rules of Leadership below. Although they are all fine, I bolded the ones that really spoke to me. Below, I’d love to hear which ones resonate with you.
- Leaders relentlessly upgrade their team, using every encounter as an opportunity to evaluate, coach and build self-confidence.
- Leaders make sure people not only see the vision, they live and breath it.
- Leaders get into everyone’s skin, exuding positive energy and optimism.
- Leaders establish trust with candor, transparency and credit.
- Leaders have the courage to make unpopular decisions and gut calls.
- Leaders probe and push with a curiosity that borders on skepticism, making sure their questions are answered with action.
- Leaders inspire risk taking and learning by setting the example.
- Leaders celebrate!
Those ideas above with other concepts he discusses, like the 4Es and P make this book more meat than potatoes. Perhaps 80% meat / 20% potatoes. It’s a good read. I listened to this on Audible. It reads well at 1.25 speed.
I tend to listen or read business or technical books all the time, but I am not an affiliate marketer. You can see…
… more of my Audible book reviews here.
… more of my Kindle/Paperback reviews here.
… books I have authored here. (Except the scripture book, not mine.)