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The Perfect Mix: Everything I Know About Leadership I Learned as a Bartender
"In the tradition of the popular business classics Leadership Is an Art and What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, Dr. Helen Rothberg, a sought-after consultant to CEOs and entrepreneurs, reveals memorable insights about leadership developed while she worked as a bartender and restaurant manager. Good managers and good leaders are not always the same. Dr. Helen Rothberg trains leaders, from Fortune 500 executives to startup entrepreneurs, with her particular brand of ADVICE--Action, Determination, Vision, Integrity, Communication, Empathy. Based on the management and life lessons she learned from working as a bartender while getting graduate business and behavioral science degrees, each aspect of ADVICE helps leaders hone their vision--of themselves and their business. You will explore who you are and who you need to become, analyze what has worked in the past and what might work better in the future, and realize ways to continually adapt--with courage and grace--to the unpredictable, uncertain business environment. Through the book's colorful stories of barroom brawls and boardroom bravado, competition and cooperation, conflict and other challenges, you'll conceive of new ways to develop working relationships with colleagues and customers; keep things running smoothly; and manage infuriating, delightful, and sometimes dangerous clients as well as temperamental and talented employees, and owners or bosses with brilliant ideas who may not communicate well. Leading an organization is knowing when to stir or shake things up, blend or serve neat, and Dr. Rothberg finishes each chapter with the recipe for a creative cocktail that embodies a lesson, to mix perfectly, contemplate, and savor"--
176 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 20, 2018
Helen Rothberg taught me that all of my failures as a leader can be addressed with drinking
No but in all seriousness, it was pretty entertaining. I hate self-help books (because books are more fun for escaping than for realizing you're a PoS and that authors have a better life) but this had the right combination of advice, humor and seltzer to keep me going.
No but in all seriousness, it was pretty entertaining. I hate self-help books (because books are more fun for escaping than for realizing you're a PoS and that authors have a better life) but this had the right combination of advice, humor and seltzer to keep me going.
August 8, 2019
While not at the top of my list of leadership books, the author provides good and realistic examples for the reader. Easy to read and while not a high-level leadership book, it still provides some great advice as listed below.
- Management is about creating certainty in an uncertain world.... Leadership is about achieving vision. It is a gateway for risk taking.
- Because while striving for perfection is noble, it's also misguided. It can drive achievement and the push for excellence, but it's a way to try to control your environment, and not everything is in our control.
- Communication is about creating meaning. This is not easy. You need to stay awake and pay attention. It means not multitasking when the message matters, not reading email while talking on the phone. It does mean multisensing: reading all the cues available when engaging with someone.
- Management is about creating certainty in an uncertain world.... Leadership is about achieving vision. It is a gateway for risk taking.
- Because while striving for perfection is noble, it's also misguided. It can drive achievement and the push for excellence, but it's a way to try to control your environment, and not everything is in our control.
- Communication is about creating meaning. This is not easy. You need to stay awake and pay attention. It means not multitasking when the message matters, not reading email while talking on the phone. It does mean multisensing: reading all the cues available when engaging with someone.
November 28, 2018
Dr. Rothberg was a fabulous professor and I could hear her telling these stories as I read this book. She provides real life lessons in leadership that anyone can use in every day situations.
“Letting impressions and not actual experience create a story can distort reality and let you invent reasons why you shouldn’t act, why you don’t fit in, why anything you may think of doing will not make a difference.”
“…managing with civility delivered a better payoff than directing with aggression.”
“Creating the greatest good for all people involved is an art form. It takes the belief that everyone can be satisfied—and can win.”
“Leaders have to not only use the right people in the right ways but also provide them with what they need to be successful so that the organization can be successful.”
“Managers have the power to get people to do things because they can reward and punish. Leaders get people to do things because they have the power of permission.”
“Because while striving for perfection is noble, it’s also misguided. It can drive achievement and the push for excellence, but it’s also a way to try to control your environment, and not everything is in our control.”
“Leaders understand that people learn differently and use what they learn differently. They don’t try to create images of themselves in others. Instead, they see people as individuals—who a person is and what he or she can do—and they bring out the best in others.”
“Letting impressions and not actual experience create a story can distort reality and let you invent reasons why you shouldn’t act, why you don’t fit in, why anything you may think of doing will not make a difference.”
“…managing with civility delivered a better payoff than directing with aggression.”
“Creating the greatest good for all people involved is an art form. It takes the belief that everyone can be satisfied—and can win.”
“Leaders have to not only use the right people in the right ways but also provide them with what they need to be successful so that the organization can be successful.”
“Managers have the power to get people to do things because they can reward and punish. Leaders get people to do things because they have the power of permission.”
“Because while striving for perfection is noble, it’s also misguided. It can drive achievement and the push for excellence, but it’s also a way to try to control your environment, and not everything is in our control.”
“Leaders understand that people learn differently and use what they learn differently. They don’t try to create images of themselves in others. Instead, they see people as individuals—who a person is and what he or she can do—and they bring out the best in others.”
January 22, 2018
I'm not a reader of books of / about / how to (etc.) all things business, management, and general self-improvement, so this will likely be my 1x every 10 years or so business book for the decade. In that regard it was perfect: short, sweet, nice vignettes to illustrate the author's points, and much of it pretty obvious stuff, but stuff that it's worth reminding ourselves about every once in a while. Her vignettes' descriptions and lessons are the best part of the book (what she observed and learned while tending bar and working in a restaurant w/ a bar).
March 9, 2018
This is not typically the type of leadership book I read, but I was drawn in by the title. What kind of leadership practices does a bartender learn? I was intrigued, and I’m glad I read this book. There is so much practical leadership advice. It will keep you busy for awhile wrestling through how to implement it, but it is worth the time. Make the time investment and read this book. You’ll be a better leader for it.
August 5, 2018
Energy, enthusiasm, and a can do attitude fly off the page. My first full day of joining the International ACAC board was with her leading us through strategic visionining. Much like herding cats. Stirred not shaken.
At the end of my first year in my own business, the ADVICE she offers rings even truer. Short, fun, frothy, but not without substance. That’s the thing about cocktails - they can pack a punch!
At the end of my first year in my own business, the ADVICE she offers rings even truer. Short, fun, frothy, but not without substance. That’s the thing about cocktails - they can pack a punch!
September 1, 2020
It's the kind of productivity / management book you'll be glad to keep on your nightstand to accompany you winding down for the night. The premise of this book is really interesting for me and I've never enjoyed a management book as this one. The stories and examples that the author gives really strike close to home and I can almost imagine being in a sort of same situations and thankful that I have read this book.
August 8, 2017
It's an interesting small book. I like how much about people and business the author learned from the bartending job. Her story telling is compelling. The idea that your work is only going to be as good as the supportive work you receive from others is illuminating. I like how different and daring she is.
February 12, 2018
I enjoyed the stories about her bartending experience, but I felt that few of the examples of how decisions portray leadership were applicable as presented. I can imagine the she has many more stories form her time as a bartender and think they were fit well into a television show, something reminiscent of Cheers.
June 7, 2018
In this book by Helen Rothberg, the author provides insight on leadership, especially in the business world. She shares many lessons learned from her experience as a bartender, as well as manager of a restaurant. Each chapter is based on her own model called ADVICE, standing for action, determination, vision, integrity, communication, and empathy.
July 11, 2018
If anyone asked me about the book I would tell them that it’s a short read that includes fun anecdotes about the New York City restaurant scene with great ADVICE on how to be a better leader.
I was drawn to the flow of the book and realize this isn’t the usual book that I review, but certainly wanted to share. I had a small dark roast coffee while enjoying the book.
****
I was drawn to the flow of the book and realize this isn’t the usual book that I review, but certainly wanted to share. I had a small dark roast coffee while enjoying the book.
****
October 8, 2018
A simple yet refreshing reminder to live life courageously.
Simple, honest advice that anyone can follow in their lives to go after their dreams. Never forget her wonderful ADVICE.
Simple, honest advice that anyone can follow in their lives to go after their dreams. Never forget her wonderful ADVICE.
September 11, 2019
A rather light-hearted overview of leadership from an obscure angle yet worth reading. Learned a few things: "one, two, go" being one of them (try to convince someone twice of the wisdom of your plan and then if they won't budge, then let it go).
October 22, 2021
I found that the bartender things were merely a gimmick - not actually informative. The author's first-hand experience in consulting was under other wings. Therefore, it was not many insights to expect. However, overall, It was fun reading.
September 4, 2017
I usually don't read this kind of thing, but the title grabbed me.
And I'm glad it did. This book served as a much-needed pep talk.
And I'm glad it did. This book served as a much-needed pep talk.
February 12, 2018
PHD management consultant basis advice on previous career as a bartender.
You can download free ebook: http://123link.pw/3HuP or http://gestyy.com/wl3S0e
You can download free ebook: http://123link.pw/3HuP or http://gestyy.com/wl3S0e
November 12, 2018
I only skimmed the book but didn't get any piece of value.
Maybe this is just not my kind of book (too many small talks and stories I don't relate to)
Maybe this is just not my kind of book (too many small talks and stories I don't relate to)
January 15, 2019
The ADVICE acronym is easy and applicable for everyone. I enjoyed this. And my even they out one of the cocktails (or two).
July 16, 2019
Great advice and an enjoyable read
October 2, 2022
Easy reading book with real examples of leadership. I learnt that every mistakes is an opportunity to make it correct next time. Worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews