The Greatness Guide: 101 Lessons for Making What's Good at Work and in Life Even Better (Paperback)

~ Robin Sharma (Author)
Key Phrases: daily improvement, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, New York, Peter Drucker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though Sharma rejects the guru label, it's hard not to think of the CEO of the training and coaching firm Sharma Leadership International that way after reading this slim volume of leadership and life advice. In two-page chapters with catchy titles and memorable anecdotes, this author of five bestsellers (The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, etc.) dishes out wisdom for white-collar professionals on everything from goal setting and time management to figuring out your talents. In a chapter called "Harvey Keitel and Windows of Opportunity," he tells how he saw the Reservoir Dogs star and walked in the other direction—not toward him, as he has with most celebrities—and his regret over not seizing that opportunity. In "Your Schedule Doesn't Lie," Sharma highlights the need to schedule things you really want to do in your life. In "Sell Your Desk," he advocates getting out of the office to become a better performer in business. A keen observer of life and business, Sharma frames his wisdom in a friendly, accessible way that will appeal to readers at every level of their careers. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Feels like you’re having a conversation with the author, leaving you inspired to live every day to the fullest." -- BookPage

"Like having a really cool big brother show you the ropes on the first day of high school." -- New Age Retailer

"Sharma frames his wisdom in a friendly, accessible way that will appeal to readers at every level." -- Publishers Weekly

An easy-to-digest 101-item buffet of life-altering advice. -- Play Magazine

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (August 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061238570
• ISBN-13: 978-0061238574
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,911 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering Wisdom Made Simple, March 28, 2007

By	Dean Mercado "The Motivational Marketer" (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Greatness Guide: Powerful Secrets for Getting to World Class (Hardcover)

By weaving powerful real-life storytelling and numerous timely great quotes to convey wisdom of the ages, Robin Sharma does a fantastic job of communicating 101 bold yet simple truths that can explode your happiness and success in life as well as in business.

I personally thoroughly enjoyed Robin Sharma's easing conversational writing style and humble approach to these sometimes touchy topics. While some of these jolts of wisdom may on the surface seem like common sense, I for one certainly needed to hear them again. This is one of those rare books that should become a perennial read for all - it certainly will for me.

Though this book is a quick and easy read, I highly recommend that you don't let the power of each of the 101 gems-of-advice slip past you. I got the most value by taking the time to reflect on the key point of each gem and identifying action items for myself that would make the key points stick.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 101 uncommon insights , January 15, 2007

By	Green Guy (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatness Guide: Powerful Secrets for Getting to World Class (Hardcover)

This book is available in rest of the world. I bought my edition in India.

I enjoyed reading Robin's other books like "Who will cry when you die" and "The Saint, the surfer and the CE0" and found this book similar to the others , inspiring, practical and fun to read. There are lots of anecdotes/stories about leaders, some well known celebrities ( Mick Jagger, Bono, Steve Jobs, Jennifer Aniston, Bon Jovi, Puff Daddy) and some lesser know celebrities like an eye surgeon, a wise tailor.

Robin's biggest gifts is his infectious enthusiasm.., you can feel it as you read through the 101 short practical insights each presented in a separate chapter.

His premise is that each person is a great leader and can unlock the leadership potential by doing "inner" work, getting more disciplined and being persistent in setting and getting to our goals.

The good book to read at the beginning of the year when you feel inspired about the new year, goals and resolutions.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Powerful Story Telling from this Star, April 3, 2007

By	Dave Carpenter "Peak Performance Scholar" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatness Guide: Powerful Secrets for Getting to World Class (Hardcover)

Robin Sharma is one of the truly bright young stars (early 40's) among the self-improvement authors. I love the way he opens himself up and lets the reader experience, first hand, Robin's journey through life.

The Greatness Guide may well be Robin's best book yet. From his opening disclaimer "I am no guru" to the very end challenging us to claim our greatness, Robin speaks from the heart in a way that makes for not only an enjoyable read but an impactful one.

All too many books of this type seem to be written as if they are a research summary of best practices. Helpful reminders, but only as helpful as a reminder. By sharing a series of everyday personal experiences, good and bad, Robin helps us to self-discover that life is -- or at least can be -- a glorious melody of successes and opportunities to learn (the latter which some call failures).

Just an example of one of his many nuggets: "Reading is one of the best disciplines I know of to stay `on your game' and at your highest. Reading from a great book is really all about having a conversation with an author." Exactly...and that is the feeling I had reading the book. Robin was sharing his journey with me so that my journey would be far better.

Already looking forward to my next conversation (book) from this very gifted sharer.