Customer Reviews

A Message to Garcia

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Reading and discussing Hubbard's small classic, "A Message To Garcia" should be a pre-requisite for anyone about to work anywhere for a boss. Much is written about leaders, and this book helps to fill the huge gap in what is written for and about followers. The few minutes it takes to read this book could change the rest of your life. I first read it back in 1985 and I re-read it frequently.

Hubbard's inspiration for his "preachment" was an obscure but important event in the 1898 Spanish-American War. President McKinley needed someone to quickly deliver a message to an insurgent general somewhere in the jungles of Cuba. An army officer was recommended and McKinley personally handed the message to this officer with the mission to deliver the "message to Garcia." This officer's unhesitating acceptance of his mission with no superfluous questions and his subsequent completion of the mission is Hubbard's definition of an invaluable subordinate.

Hubbard's lessons of initiative (doing the right thing without being told) and loyalty to yourself, your boss, and your organization (doing the right thing when told only once) are timeless and well told. Hubbard spoke to all leaders and subordinates when he wrote, "It is not book-learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies: do the thing -- "Carry a message to Garcia.""

In Hubbard's booklet lies the secret of service. It sounds simple, but so few people are able to swallow their giant egos to do it.

Using the true story of a messenger in the Spanish-American War as an example, Hubbard teaches this lesson: when a superior asks you to do something -- no matter how difficult or crazy or impossible it may sound -- just go get it done. Don't say anything; don't make any funny faces; don't look to others for help -- just go and do it.

In a society where authority is too often degraded, Hubbard's old-fashioned-radio-editorial-style essay reminds us that conformity can be good. I would qualify this by saying that any conformity should be conscientious conformity (you must not do something that goes against ethical principles).

To anyone really considering buying this really, really short, really, really over-priced book: you can find it online for really, really free.

The message of Hubbard's commentary on Col. Rowan's mission is not to do what you are told without question, but to think for yourself. What Col. Rowan did was amazing. He was asked to carry a message from President McKinley to an insurgent leader in Cuba named Garcia. This was leading up to the Spanish-American War and Cuba was hostile territory. If captured, Rowan would be shot by the Spanish. What you now know about Rowan's mission is what he knew at the time he took it up. And he succeeded! Hubbard's lament is that all employees are not more like Col. Rowan.

It's one of the most inspire book i ever read. I strongly believe it's not outdated even it was written long ago, in fact the clear message is very relevant in today world. I.e. Good manager give a clear Objective (E.g. Send a message to Garcia), and the person who is in-charge shouldn't giving excuse, no delay, and no "blaming why me". Ask question if there is any thing you need further clarification. (In Rowan's case, no) Then Figure it out on how to accomplish it.
Now day, there are too many people like to say this is not accomplishable and that's not workable without having a try, without even "a Think". Many are giving too much of excuses.

In addition, personally i think, this book is not only should be given by employer to employee, employer himself also should learn the lesson. I.e. One of the reason that Rowan can successfully deliver the message is because, His "employer", after given the objective, They fully delegate the task to Rowan, They did not care for the detail, They did not pretend to be smart to teach Roman on how to do it, They did not interfere, They trust Rowan, and give Rowan all the neccessary authority to make decision. Just imagine if all the important decision that Rowan make have to get approval first then only can respond. Do you think The Message can be successafully delivered?
I hope Employer also have to bear this in mind before blaming your employee for not that responsible and self-motivate as Rowan. Think first. Think do you really trust your staff, Think do they have all the neccessary authotiry to make decison, think that did you did your job good enough as a employer...?

Furthermore, ensure the Objective that you give is meaningful to your employee, let your employee have that kind of feeling of important. Sure when Rowan recieve the task, in his mind he would say this :" WOW, this seem chanllenging, this task is important, i must accomplish it otherwise we would lose the battle. And they are giving this such a important task to me, they trust me, I must do it RIGHT!"
Right?

Finally, Don't forget Positive feedback or recognising that President give to Rowan. Remember, People will only doing things for two main simplified reason, i.e. pain and pleasure. This also a part which should we learn. Off cause i doesn't mean Rowan doing all this just for his own pleasure, but at least it's a part of it.

On the recommendation of a United States Marine we purchased this book for our son who is also a Marine. I read it aloud to my husband before we sent it along to our son. We liked it so much I bought a copy for us. My son loved it. I think that anyone that wants to accomplish anything in their life should read it.

This book is a classic. When I reported to my first assignment as a young Army officer, my company commander had me read this book. I am glad that he did. It is short and to the point. The message of "make it happen" really resonated with me then, and it still does.

I recently purchased the book and am having my colleagues at work read it. Most had never heard of it, and appreciated the content. Therefore, I recommend it is a quick read and reminder that the world is in desperate need of people who spend less time complaining, pondering, posturing, posing, back-stabbing, you name it....but actually get things done.

I gave this book to 5 people at my office as christmas presents. The responses I received were right where I should have expected them to be. The stronger managers loved it and to this day we still speak of it. The managers with the weaker skills took it as some sort of insult. I think they saw themselves in Elbert Hubbard's description of his less motivated, or weaker employees. After reading the book our Director of Operations, who I consider very weak, called me to his office and asked me, If I was trying to tell him something. The answer I gave him was Yes I am telling you something.

Hubbard has a few points to make and doesn't waste time making them.

For the reviewer who thought his boss was trying to get you to blindly follow their advice, you sadly completely missed the point. Read it again, and again, and again until you do. I know I will.

Basic but true. Just like Nike's slogan: Just Do It! The book is a quick read, but is message is timeless.

Excellent writing. I loved the book and the concepts. It validates strong managers and employees, and exposes the weak. Those that are trying to hide their unwillingness and inability to get something done will dislike it, anyone else will embrace it. Elbert Hubbard is a genius.