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54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you can't handle the truth, don't bother buying it., January 17, 2007
I debated for a long time whether to give this book 2 stars or 5. Normally, it wouldn't be an issue -- I mean, you either like a book or you don't. The problem with this book was that I loved certain parts of it, and other parts I questioned. However, in the end I decided to give it 5 stars for one simple reason.... the author tells the truth, and sometimes the truth isn't what you want to hear.
To be fair, in the very beginning the author will tell you that you will like certain parts of this book and hate other parts. But believe me when I tell you this -- the parts you like, you will love with a passion. Honestly, I have never read a business book as good as this one. It was an impulse buy at the airport while waiting for a flight and believe me, it was the best buy I ever made.
The author does a terrific job of basically telling it like it is -- work is WORK. It is not play time, it is not social hour and it is not time for doing your personal errands. He points out why our workplaces are overloaded with people who do nothing but pull the entire performance of the company down. People who should be fired, but management doesn't have the guts to do it. He also does a 180 and goes on to say that there are also companies out there who treat their employees like they are nothing -- that they think low pay and dissrespect is a wonderful way to keep those employees in their chairs and thankful to have a job.
That's part of the love/hate relationship with this book. He examines both sides of the business coin. Both the employee and the company. And when he does it he doesn't hold back any punches!
One part I particularly enjoyed was his whole take on this "team" nonsense. I'm sure you've read plenty of books about the precious team and how we all must "get along" and "work together". Well he flat out says that teamwork doesn't do anything but let the slackers hide amongst the group while bringing down productivity. Individuals wants recognition when they do something -- and a true superstar does not want to share that with anyone. They did it, they deserve the credit, not the other bunch of people who did nothing but call useless meetings to discuss the same items over and over again.
The same goes with another example he gives of superstars. Who cares if they come in at 9AM and leave at 10AM? If they are doing 4x the work of everyone else then they have EARNED it! As an employer learn that superstars work by their own rules and tell the complainers who have a problem with it that when they start doing 4x the work of everyone else then they can talk -- but until then sit down, shut up and get to WORK!
If you are an employee... READ THIS BOOK!
If you are an employer... READ THIS BOOK!
If you are a CEO... READ THIS BOOK!
Read it, undertand what he is saying and then ACT! For the sake of the employees left who still are trying to be productive and get things done... ACT!
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent For Some; Not Very Good For Others, November 11, 2008
I also couldn't decide for a long-time whether a 5 star or 2 star rating was appropriate. Larry's blunt drill instructor caustic style really could be very USEFUL for those who've either forgotten, deliberately ignore or never learned the obvious truths Larry delivers. It would be too easy - although largely true - to say that Larry repeats himself, rarely uses one sentence when three will do, contradicts himself and frankly is a shameless self-promoter.
BUT if you're tired, depressed, discontented at work, his "snap out of it" truisms could get you moving positively: either doing your job better, enjoying it more or finding a better place of employment. And frankly, there are more than a few people out there who've never incorporated Larry's simple truths.
However, if you're relatively well-content in your job, doing it well, but looking for some solid non-intuitive tips to getting ahead, then this isn't your book. You'll see behind the "stop whining" bluster that other reviewers have already pointed out.
Larry's the king of the obvious, prince of the basics; but sometimes the basics are needed. If Larry had written a dating handbook, he'd tell you to shower more, wear clean clothes, stand up straight, etc. and talk to the girl. If he'd written a personal finance book, he'd tell you to spend less than you earn and have savings. If Larry were coaching baseball, he'd explain the rules and tell you to keep you eye on the ball.
Well, ok, Larry, but some of us need more help when stepping up to bat. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy or benefit from Wingate's opinions - it's far better to have tough love than to keep complaining alone or with others - but there's a lot more in earth and heaven than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth reading, January 23, 2007
This is a well written, easy to read book that contains a wealth of great information. Larry's style is in your face, confrontational. And no doubt some of what he says will rub you the wrong way, most of it is right on target.
He starts with the basics. If you are looking to place fault, find a mirror. He has a lot of fun attacking many of the stupid things businesses do. He constantly tells us to stop and think about what we are doing and make sure the why we are doing it makes sense. Good advice for so many businesses we are all forced to deal with on a daily basis.
He tends to make broad general statements and then makes other statements that might not be in total agreement. For example, he says that you should fire any employee that is dishonest. We all know that there is no such thing as total honesty. (Remember Diogenes spent his life looking for the honest man.) There is degrees of dishonesty. Later in the book, under "Short Lessons" he tells us that "People will generally lie to protect themselves." This is a truth. What you really need to learn is that if you make it too expensive for anyone (spouse, child, employee) to tell the truth, they won't.
He also cites the oft told story of the three brick masons who were asked what they were doing (but he fails to properly credit the story to Sir Christopher Wren - the architect responsible for rebuilding St. Paul's in London). He finds fault with the third brick mason because he saw a higher purpose in his work. But he does tell us that the major job of a leader is to share the vision of the buisnes with all the employees.
All in all, it is really a good book with lots of sound advice. He does fill the book with very interesting stories and talks a lot about his personal life. His "Short Lessons" are worth reading and commiting to memory. Great obeservations on life.
Don't just read the book, study it, learn form it and then put the lessons into practice.
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