Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man: How to get what you want by giving others what they need! [Hardcover]

Alexander J. Berardi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2001

This worldwide bestseller has changed the way leaders think about leadership.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Equally avant-garde in his approach, physician Alexander Berardi believes that people who reap the most satisfaction and success from what they do are the most willing to give in exchange for what they get. In Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man (which has a foreword by Zig Ziglar), Berardi takes exception with guides that advise readers "to follow their bliss." While acknowledging the importance of undertaking an inspiring career, he tells readers to focus on the needs of others, like their customers and employees, to reap exponentially more benefits. While Berardi's rambling, anecdotal style is easy to read, it distracts from some of his more provocative ideas.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: St. Regis Press; First Edition edition (March 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577311264
• ISBN-13: 978-1577311263
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,085,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, Instructive, August 31, 2002

By 

Roger E. Herman (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man: How to get what you want by giving others what they need! (Hardcover)

As we rise in levels of responsibility in organizational life, we begin to hear the tern, "servant leadership." Essentially, it's giving of yourself to support others, rather than leading by dominating others. A number of books have been written on the topic, but this one is different. The title is deceiving; your first thought might be that it's a parody or pick-up on Harvey MacKay's "Never Give a Naked Man Your Shirt."

This book is about knowing yourself so you better understand others to serve them and the world. It's about getting off the merry-go-round of life and making a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Berardi has given us a book that is thought-provoking . . . and heart-provoking.

I found myself turning down so many page corners that I finally gave up. There are nuggets on practically every page. "All things are possible for those who find their own unique way of serving others." "You don't have to be perfect to live a purposeful life as a servant leader." "We have blocked so much from our lives, we find that we're not really living at all." "People don't necessarily know what it is they actually need because they're focused more on what they want."

The first of the four sections of the book explains servant leadership. Then readers gain a wonderful experience in part two, learning how to get themselves ready to truly serve others. Part III is The Practical Side of Identifying and Serving the Needs of Others. The last section of the book describes Miracles in the Making. A reading list and index enhance the value of this volume.

Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man is illuminated by stories from the author's life, from the experiences of perspectives of people he has known, and from stories of others who bring life to each of the author's points. Although, this book is hard to put down for enjoyable and thoughtful reading, it can also serve as a text for what a lot of business leaders need to learn. I imagine a number of people who have read this book have slowed down, reoriented their thinking, and gained a whole new perspective and level of productivity in their lives.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspirational Read...., May 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man: How to get what you want by giving others what they need! (Hardcover)

This book was thoroughly inspiring for me. I could relate to so much of what was written. I was not even aspiring to achieve personal success, but after reading the book, I was inspired to reach deep down and re-evaluate exactly what I want out of my life. He has so many personal stories which are really touching, and very easy to relate to. He breaks down the traditional belief that the world is served by leaders and followers and says that it is the servant leader (the quiet, unassuming people) that most often emerge as some of the greatest leaders of our time. Throughout the book there are many references to Moe Howard from the Three Stooges and how his life showed classic signs of servant leadership. It was refreshing to read a book that could be so "light" at times - bringing humor to his stories. If you pick up nothing else this year, pick up a copy of this book and read it. You won't be able to put it down, and you will find yourself having a refreshed energy towards your life and your ultimate goals. Personal happiness can be achived, and Alexander J Berardi gives us some tools with which to find it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Outstanding, In Business And In Life, May 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man: How to get what you want by giving others what they need! (Hardcover)

Apart from being an outstanding and entertaining read, this is a book which succeeds in all respects. The case studies are compelling and genuine, the insights are original and thought-provoking and the application of this wonderful book is as appropriate in life as in business. This book should be required reading for all who earn their living in the service sector. How frequently do we encounter "service" which strives to provide that which is expedient, rather than that which is required. The value-added, holistic vision of the author is both revolutionary and remarkable. A book of substance, rather than "feel good" platitude, yet one which leaves the reader feeling good. If you read no other business book this year, this book is the one!