More military detail than I was looking for, including usage (without explanation) of many navy terms. Some interesting leadership ideas, but few thatMore military detail than I was looking for, including usage (without explanation) of many navy terms. Some interesting leadership ideas, but few that weren't covered better in Good to Great, which this book refers to....more
I really liked this. The concepts were clearly articulated, seem useful, and had "substance" - based on data rather than simply the author's opinions.I really liked this. The concepts were clearly articulated, seem useful, and had "substance" - based on data rather than simply the author's opinions.
Also worth noting: I think this is the first time I've seen a real, special effort put into the audiobook version. When a diagram was involved, the author (who also narrates) would say, for example: "Wherever you are, in your car or walking, imagine a triangle...". When he got to the end, he described briefly the appendixes which were available and pointed the listener to the accompanying PDF. Those examples might seem trivial, but I've listened to a lot of audiobooks, and there was a strong overall sense that the audiobook version of Good to Great was given individual attention....more
If you weren't already terrified of Amazon and Jeff Bezos, you will be after reading this. I knew Amazon had used tough negotiating tactics with publiIf you weren't already terrified of Amazon and Jeff Bezos, you will be after reading this. I knew Amazon had used tough negotiating tactics with publishers / suppliers / competitors, but hadn't quite realized the extent.
One other pattern I noticed was just how completely insane a good idea can look when it is first stated. For example, Kindle's Whispernet (the free 3G connection which lets you download books anywhere) is great, but even now it seems a ridiculously ambitious idea - I can only imagine what it was like to be the engineer on the receiving end of that spec in the mid-2000s. I think I'll be a lot slower to rule out crazy ideas now, having read this.
Stunning. The scale of the intrigue, the cast of famous names caught up in the reality distortion field, the ruthlessness, the fact that it's a true sStunning. The scale of the intrigue, the cast of famous names caught up in the reality distortion field, the ruthlessness, the fact that it's a true story.... the pacing though, was the icing on the cake for me. I was enjoying the book massively already when the story really kicked into high gear in the final third, and from that point on stopping was not an option. Truth is stranger than fiction, and in this case, more gripping too....more
I loved this book - so packed with wisdom that I moved through it slowly, filing away many quotes for reference.
There are two main thoughts which mighI loved this book - so packed with wisdom that I moved through it slowly, filing away many quotes for reference.
There are two main thoughts which might dissuade you from reading this. I don’t want you to miss out, so I’d like to address both:
“Effective Executive? This sounds like it's only for people who wear suits and spend their days in board meetings..."
The author defines executive broadly as someone who "is responsible for a contribution that materially affects the capacity of the organization to perform and to obtain results”. I think that description can apply to most people I know, and certainly as a software engineer I found the advice in the book relevant.
“This sounds like cold, boring, business talk, about how to make you a more efficient cog in the machine..."
The author actually comes across as incredibly caring and insightful about people - their motivation, their happiness, their self-development etc. Some quotes which I loved, and which show what I mean: The motivation of the knowledge worker depends on his being effective, on his being able to achieve. If effectiveness is lacking in his work, his commitment to work and to contribution will soon wither, and he will become a time-server going through the motions from 9 to 5.
I have never seen anyone in a job for which he was inadequate who was not slowly being destroyed by the pressure and the strains, and who did not secretly pray for deliverance.
The knowledge worker is not poverty-prone. He is in danger of alienation to use the fashionable word for boredom, frustration, and silent despair. ...more
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