Customer Reviews

Run With the Bulls Without Getting Trampled: The Qualities You Need to Stay Out of Harm's Way and Thrive at Work

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I saw a review of "Run With The Bulls without Getting Trampled," and immediately ordered a copy. I am glad that I did. Paraphrasing one of Tim Irwin's running themes, this book is easy-to-read, but it is not a simple book.

One of the things that makes "Run With The Bulls" so interesting is the author's use of stories, and particularly the way that he weaves his nontraditional metaphors into personal, daily workplace context. A few examples include opening chapters with lessons learned from an awkward and (unnecessarily) expensive sidetrip to Portugal, a well planned overnight hike up Mt. Hood, a complicated and unnerving trip to the mountains of Peru made possible only through significant contingency planning, and of course, his running with the bulls in Pamplona. These stories, and many others, seamlessly lead into discussions of personal values, priority setting and behavior - essentially choices that ultimately add up to seven critical success factors that lead to the development of a significant life.

For people who have been around the workplace for a while, Irwin's descriptors make it impossible not to identify similar successes and failures of people they know, or to recognize the good and bad traits of managers for whom they have worked, or to capture the positive attributes of leaders from whom they have learned. The real challenge, however, is to understand the broader meaning of the easy metaphors, and how to incorporate them into your own life and circumstances.

This is the hard part because Irvin is very clear about the need to adapt, to change and to understand why you must, and the commitment that is required. In fact, one of the quotations, used to lead each chapter, comes from Max DePree, former CEO of Herman Miller, "It is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are." Amen to that!

However, here is where I have to take an exception with the author. One of his chapter introducing stories is about his son Jim, the same young man who created the inspiration to run with the bulls. In this particular story, Jim, a successful athlete, fares badly in his Little League tryout and is embarrassingly relegated to a team of younger boys. In fact, it is such an embarrassment that he is ready to quit playing. The author acknowledged that Jim's failure was a big surprise, caused at least in part by his failure to help him prepare for his tryout like other fathers had done. He "grieves for his disappointment and the crisis for the whole family," but you get the distinct impression that this event was not even on the author's radar radar screen while he was busy working ("pouring himself") on HIS life of significance.

And here's the point - several paragraphs later we are reading about a sensitively astute manager, a nurturer, who reaches out to Jim and helps him develop the skills that lead to his baseball enjoyment and success. It's a nice story, but it also raises a question. Is it OK for you to successfully run with the bulls if the people dependent on you are getting trampled? The message regarding responsibility seemed mixed, made better by the effectiveness of an volunteer parent who (fortunately) makes things right. But, what if the coach had been a minimalist volunteer primarily consumed by the development of his own child? Is it simply enough to say that you "grieve" for the failures of those connected to you, or must you add that there is an accountability ultimately relating back to you for their failures?

That point notwithstanding, there is a lot to think about, and appreciate, in "Run With The Bulls." There is even a website to log into post-completion to watch the actual running of the bulls and to take an attitude test. This was a unique feature for me.

I've not necessarily related my work career with the "running of the bulls" in Pamplona. But there are some good analogies to be drawn in the book Run With the Bulls Without Getting Trampled: The Qualities You Need to Stay Out of Harm's Way and Thrive at Work by Tim Irwin, Ph.D. This is a book I'd recommend to anyone looking to survive in the business world with their integrity and morals intact.

Contents:

The Run

Section 1 - Thoughtful Commitment: Run to Win; The Arena; Getting to the Arena

Section 2 - Authentic Character: Run by the Rules; Keep on Running; Don't Get Disqualified from the Race

Section 3 - Exceptional Competence: Make Sure You're Fit to Run; Run Well with Others; Run with Skill; Run Your Best Race

Epilogue; Introduction to Online Assessment and Developmental Resources; Notes; Index

A few years back, the author went with his son to Pamplona to experience the "running of the bulls." It was a life-changing experience for him, and he found a number of similarities to life in the business world. The entity that is your organization is the bull, and it has just one thing on its mind... getting to the arena. Whatever it does to you in that process (trampling, goring, etc.) isn't personal... it's just the nature of the bull. Once you understand that key point, you can start to figure out how to successfully make it to the arena along with the bull. By running with commitment, character, and competence, you can navigate the pitfalls and perils that exist.

I found many parts of this book that resonated with me, far too many to try and put into a short review. But one example is the section on committing to a life of significance, and how work life needs to contribute to that. There's a "preflight checklist" that you can use to measure your current situation... Does it inspire passion? Fit who we are? Does it serve others? Provide meaning? I found myself counting my blessings that I have a very good work situation that meets many of these criteria. But it's always a good idea to review your situation with a book like this to make course corrections before you get too bogged down in a dead end situation.

An excellent read, and one that I found truly inspirational...

Tim Irwin's book, "Run with the Bulls," is by far the most insightful business book I have read this year. It causes you to take a look beneath the surface and determine how you can lead a life of significance and find meaning in your work. There are very few business books that take you to this level of personal reflection. "Run with the Bulls" is one of them.

The advice in this book extends beyond the professional world and echoes in everyday life. This makes sense; we don't live double-lives, and there exists no magic, secret formula for success in business, medicine, or raising kids. It comes down to basic human virtues.

Commitment. Character. Competence. These attributes fuel the engines of success in life.

It boggles the mind how many books or programs offer axiomatic platitudes such as "it's not what you know but who you know" or "success is what makes you happy, so be true to yourself."

None such wasteful advice finds its way into this book. Rather, Dr. Irwin points out the objective, observable standards that exist in life, and our need to continually evaluate ourselves and measure our choices against those standards.

As the book says; it's simple, but it isn't easy. I highly recommend this book.

"Run with the Bulls" offers a practical approach to finding meaning and fulfillment in our careers. Tim Irwin uses straightforward language to express complex ideas. He has an engaging way with personal anecdotes that serve both to clarify his themes and share aspects of his family life. One of the book's many pleasures is its frequent use of cultural references. Dr Irwin's interests range from "New Yorker" cartoons to TS Eliot to popular movies like "Groundhog Day." His experience as a psychologist has given him unique insight into the complex issues that so often derail our attempts to pursue excellence.

Excellent resource if you are in the corporate world. Sound, common sense advice with bibical references without being too "preachy". Would use for a motivational tool for any level of management, customer service or retail establishment.

"Run with the Bulls" is hard book to put down. I savored each chapter. The author tells real life stories as the foundation for a powerful message on principles of leadership. After reading the book I passed it on to my 18 year-old son who read it in a week. I wish I had known the principles which Irwin sets forth so clearly when I began my career! The stampeding bulls will trample the energy and enthusiasm out of many young professionals. I ordered six copies for my family members to help them avoid that fate.

Tim Irwin's radical idea of running beside son while outrunning the bulls in Spain didn't actually sound that interesting at first; but after hearing from so many people who loved this book I decided to check it out and I'm so glad I did. It's a quick read built around three key concepts... which the author then takes and develops through 7 more principles. The three core concepts are:

1) Thoughtful Commitment

2) Authentic Character

3) Exceptional Competence

While I hadn't thought about some of the dangers in business being like running for your life from a raging bull- it made a lot of sense and he weaved that concept into every section of the book. If you have ever felt like you were running away from something in your professional life and didn't know what it was, you'll probably relate strongly with this approach, which tags those 'bulls' in a really creative way.

He uses a number of personal illustrations, which made it feel conversational and more relaxed in his writing style. I especially liked the online assessment idea as a coaching tool and additional resource.

This book is well worth the purchase price if you are a manager or someone looking for a creative approach to get people talking about high stress situations.

Dr. Tim Irwin has provided a book that breathes fresh air into those who have managed for a period of time. This is also a must read for both veteran and rookie employees. I have provided all of my managers with copies of Running with the Bulls and made it required reading. Do not let this one get away!!

As a passionate reader and advocate of leadership, motivational and self-help books, I've scrolled through my share of materials by the likes of Dale Carnegie, Tony Robbins, Ken Blanchard, John Maxwell, David Ogilvy, and others. Not taking anything away from my previous reads, "Run With the Bulls" by Tim Irwin, PH.D. is the best book I've read in quite some time! Brimming with real-life stories of the author's adolescent years, early career, fatherhood, and experience as a corporate psychologist, Irwin masterfully conveys the truths we all must live by if we are to not only to survive and thrive at work, but also, live a life of significance and purpose! On the eve of my 29th birthday (just a few weeks ago), I picked up a copy of "Run With the Bulls" and devoured its content, TWICE. For me, that sort of thing is unheard of ... yet I continue to refer back to it now and then as I continue my search for success in every area of my life - relationships, career, etc. i can't say enough about this book. My only regret is that someone didn't force-feed this material to me 10 years ago when I was still in high school or college ... the world at my fingertips and not a clue which path to take. lf you're reading this commentary, do yourself a favor and get your hands on this book immediately! It will change your life ... better yet, give a copy to someone you know who still early in their studies or career ... I promise, they will thank you.