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The Smarts: Big Little Hacks to Take You a Long Way at Work
The essential Millennial careers book from the founder of The Smarty Train, the awardwinning agency that unlocks talent globally.
First job, new challenge or just bored of the same old? Master the new working world with The Smarts by doing, thinking and feeling to be the best you.
Saj Jetha – economist and founder of multi-award winning training and talent advisory The Smarty Train – has distilled everything he knows about work success in this witty, irreverent collection of smart hacks. Having helped thousands of people at major corporations worldwide like Accenture, EY and HSBC, Saj reveals his secrets for gaining a professional edge in the new working world.
Don’t expect a list of dry, pointless mantras about ‘working hard’ and ‘being punctual’ either. Discover why it’s best to have a difficult conversation with your boss after lunch, what to do when you’re stuck for something to say, and why giants drink coffee. Easy-to-remember, beautifully designed, jargon-free chapters cover everything from the basic (nailing first impressions) to the profound (getting to know how your brain works).
Whether you’re an intern, are moving to the next challenge in your career, or are the CEO, The Smarts offers indispensable advice that’s all about unlocking your talent; doing, thinking and feeling in the smartest possible way.
First job, new challenge or just bored of the same old? Master the new working world with The Smarts by doing, thinking and feeling to be the best you.
Saj Jetha – economist and founder of multi-award winning training and talent advisory The Smarty Train – has distilled everything he knows about work success in this witty, irreverent collection of smart hacks. Having helped thousands of people at major corporations worldwide like Accenture, EY and HSBC, Saj reveals his secrets for gaining a professional edge in the new working world.
Don’t expect a list of dry, pointless mantras about ‘working hard’ and ‘being punctual’ either. Discover why it’s best to have a difficult conversation with your boss after lunch, what to do when you’re stuck for something to say, and why giants drink coffee. Easy-to-remember, beautifully designed, jargon-free chapters cover everything from the basic (nailing first impressions) to the profound (getting to know how your brain works).
Whether you’re an intern, are moving to the next challenge in your career, or are the CEO, The Smarts offers indispensable advice that’s all about unlocking your talent; doing, thinking and feeling in the smartest possible way.
120 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
8 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 28, 2020
Just finished reading this book cover to cover! True to its subtitle - the book provides big little hacks to take you a long way at work - tiny contextual nudges to help you power through your work-life and achieve more with less. It's a great, quick read to remind you of crucial things that can help you open up more space for productivity and impact at your work and in your personal life as well - sometimes even experiences professionals go astray and these tips really serve as a primer.
What I loved was the way this way written just as much for what is conveyed. The illustrations were a good hook. Here are top 5 key takeaways that I am definitely going to employ (although I don't see a single tip that I won't benefit from using):
1. Work updates can be framed as Progress. Plans. Problems. (Nothing more. Nothing less)
2. Every meeting should count -> Always ask for an agenda, if not mentioned already. Prepare well in advance to gain some perspective and share recommendations on the agenda, as much as possible
3. Compartmentalising ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and keeping your calm
4. Measure the vitals - not only of your performance, but that of your team, of your division, of your company to be on top of your own game as well
5. When stuck in a conundrum, always think of how you might advise a friend in a similar situation. You gain a lot of wisdom and perspective -> making it easier for you to implement the solution
Overall, a fairly quick and fun read! Of course some of the things might seem very common-sensical, but it all depends on where your mindspace is at and sometimes such common reminders can really help you gain grip of your own reality.
What I loved was the way this way written just as much for what is conveyed. The illustrations were a good hook. Here are top 5 key takeaways that I am definitely going to employ (although I don't see a single tip that I won't benefit from using):
1. Work updates can be framed as Progress. Plans. Problems. (Nothing more. Nothing less)
2. Every meeting should count -> Always ask for an agenda, if not mentioned already. Prepare well in advance to gain some perspective and share recommendations on the agenda, as much as possible
3. Compartmentalising ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and keeping your calm
4. Measure the vitals - not only of your performance, but that of your team, of your division, of your company to be on top of your own game as well
5. When stuck in a conundrum, always think of how you might advise a friend in a similar situation. You gain a lot of wisdom and perspective -> making it easier for you to implement the solution
Overall, a fairly quick and fun read! Of course some of the things might seem very common-sensical, but it all depends on where your mindspace is at and sometimes such common reminders can really help you gain grip of your own reality.
February 26, 2019
A beautiful little source of wisdom
Whether you’re new to the world of work or an experienced CEO, you’ll find lots of great nuggets of wisdom in here. Like how to turn awkward silence into a sparkling conversation. Why you should turn up early for meetings. How not to turn into a one-trick pony. And the importance of having something to teach.
I may be thirty years into my working life but It’s highlighted a number of things that I need to address; things that I should have dealt with years ago.
Each piece of advice is short, wittily written and beautifully illustrated.
This may look like an easy read. But the impact it could have on your life is huge, if you let it.
Whether you’re new to the world of work or an experienced CEO, you’ll find lots of great nuggets of wisdom in here. Like how to turn awkward silence into a sparkling conversation. Why you should turn up early for meetings. How not to turn into a one-trick pony. And the importance of having something to teach.
I may be thirty years into my working life but It’s highlighted a number of things that I need to address; things that I should have dealt with years ago.
Each piece of advice is short, wittily written and beautifully illustrated.
This may look like an easy read. But the impact it could have on your life is huge, if you let it.
January 19, 2019
A short collection of tips for being more effective at work.
A couple of points in this book were useful, but overall it was a bit weak.
Overall rating 2.5.
A couple of points in this book were useful, but overall it was a bit weak.
Overall rating 2.5.
May 29, 2019
Suitable for a completely fresher in workplace who has absolutely no experience.
January 14, 2020
It’s a great book. It was really funny read.
September 7, 2020
Didn’t learn very much other than to have common sense.
November 2, 2021
Mainly common sense but I liked the illustrations
March 11, 2019
I just don't get it. An overpriced pamphlet with few new ideas. The second star is for the fact that it was presented in a fresh, stylish way.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews