Category Archives: Non-Fiction

Review: Robert I. Sutton – Good Boss, Bad Boss (S)

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Good Boss, Bad Boss
How to Be the Best… And Learn from the Worst
Robert I. Sutton

“If you are a boss who wants to do great work, what can you do about it? Good Boss, Bad Boss is devoted to answering that question. Stanford Professor Robert Sutton weaves together the best psychological and management research with compelling stories and cases to reveal the mindset and moves of the best (and worst) bosses. This book was inspired by the deluge of emails, research, phone calls, and conversations that Dr. Sutton experienced after publishing his blockbuster bestseller The No Asshole Rule. He realized that most of these stories and studies swirled around a central figure in every THE BOSS.”

The way the book is set up didn’t quite click with me. The chapters and sections felt a bit all over the place, and I couldn’t really see the clear connections between them. It’s like everything just melted together without any standout points. A bunch of it was things I’ve seen and heard a million times before – nothing groundbreaking, just common sense stuff. I guess if you’re new to this kind of thing, it’s a decent overview that gets you thinking, but it doesn’t dive deep into anything and tends to repeat itself here and there.

I also noticed some contradictions that made me scratch my head. My advice? Take what you like and leave the rest. There’s some humor in there, but I didn’t always catch the punchline.

It’s nice to see someone trying to make the whole work and management scene better with their examples and tips. They’re onto something when they say pretty much everyone can relate because we’ve all had a boss, have a boss, or are the boss. So, there’s some wisdom in there for sure. If you’re into business and leadership books or just want to up your boss game, “Good Boss, Bad Boss” is a solid stash of info that goes down easy and I recommend it for those getting into management. 3 stars.

Review: Donald Roos & Anne de Bruijn – Don’t Buy this Book (S)

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Don’t Buy this Book: Entrepreneurship for Creative People
Donald Roos, Anne de Bruijn

“The sequel to the highly successful Don’t Read This Book – Time Management for Creative People. Like its predecessor, it uses the “To Don’t List” method to help you make the right choices – choices that help you achieve your goals as a creative entrepreneur. Don’t Buy This Book walks through the necessary steps: testing your idea, getting it ready for business, and building on it. It covers everything you need to get started or improve your business as a creative and offers practical exercises to clarify who you want to be as an entrepreneur.”

I should have listened to the cover and not bought the book! It’s a quick read, throws some good ideas your way, but let’s be real, it’s not the be-all and end-all of entrepreneurship guides. This is more like an Instagram-worthy motivational pep talk with quotes galore. They toss around some practical questions to get your brain working, but don’t expect actual answers – it’s more like a brainstorming session without a whiteboard.

Sure, there are snippets about some companies, but they barely scratch the surface. Oh, and they keep bringing up their first book, “Don’t Read This Book,” but don’t stress – you don’t need to read it for this one to make sense. It’s not really a sequel.

If you’re just dipping your toes into the entrepreneurial pool and need a little inspiration, go ahead and give it a shot. But if you’re after the real deal, check out “Twelve and a Half” by Gary Vaynerchuk. My verdict? Two stars – it’s okay, but nothing to write home about.

Review: Luc de Brabandere & Alan Iny – Thinking in New Boxes (S)

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Thinking in New Boxes
A New Paradigm for Business Creativity
Luc de Brabandere and Alan Iny

“When BIC, manufacturer of disposable ballpoint pens, wanted to grow, it looked for an idea beyond introducing new sizes and ink colors. Someone suggested lighters. LIGHTERS? With an idea that seemed crazy at first, that bright executive, instead of seeing BIC as a pen company—a business in the PEN “box”—figured out that there was growth to be found in the DISPOSABLE “box.” And he was right. Now there are disposable BIC lighters, razors, even phones. The company opened its door to a host of opportunities.”

“Thinking in New Boxes: A New Paradigm for Business Creativity” is a must-read for small business owners and entrepreneurs searching for fresh ideas and the next big leap in their ventures. This book serves as an invaluable resource for those eager to unlock their creative potential and break free from conventional thinking.

One of the book’s standout features is its collection of examples and engaging exercises that explain the framework it introduces. The author uses practical examples of the concepts, making it easy to grasp each step of the process. I also enjoyed the fictional video game company that you follow through the creative process.

I found that this book provides insights on innovative thinking, making you want to challenge the status quo. It reminds us that just because something has always been done a certain way, it doesn’t mean it’s the right way, the best way, or the only way. This shift in perspective is vital for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to evolve and adapt in today’s ever changing market.

I noticed that the book was somewhat lengthy, featuring occasional repetition and unnecessary details. Trimming down the content in a more concise and impactful manner without compromising the core message would have been better.

Overall, I believe this book is an essential read for business owners seeking to ignite their creative thinking and explore uncharted territories. Despite its length, the book offers valuable insights, practical exercises, and a narrative that benefits anyone looking to innovate in the business world. 4 stars.

Review: Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan – Execution (S)

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Execution
The Discipline of Getting Things Done
Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan with Charles Burck

“Execution shows how to link together people, strategy, and operations, the three core processes of every business. Leading these processes is the real job of running a business, not formulating a “vision” and leaving the work of carrying it out to others. Bossidy and Charan show the importance of being deeply and passionately engaged in an organization and why robust dialogues about people, strategy, and operations result in a business based on intellectual honesty and realism.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that this book is showing its age. It’s clearly targeted at those super high-level corporate giants, which might not sit well with folks from smaller or less traditional companies. If you’re not in a place where you can delegate tasks to an army of direct reports, you might feel a bit left out.

My biggest gripe is that the book remains stubbornly high-level throughout. It’s a bit like listening to a long-winded lecturer who uses too many big words without giving you much actionable advice. I even found myself skipping over some parts because they felt like they were going around in circles. And sadly, “Execution” doesn’t bring anything particularly groundbreaking to the table – it feels like business textbook material.

The central theme revolves around setting expectations and holding people accountable, which is a solid concept. The book is a broken record on scrutinizing business plans and making sure people are doing what they said they would. It lacks clear, practical steps on how to do this effectively.

As I trudged into Part 3, I was hoping for more detailed examples to illustrate the execution process. But, to my disappointment, there were only a few of these, and they didn’t provide the guidance I was looking for.

I felt like I didn’t get much out of “Execution.” I had read another business book recently that blew me away (Twelve and a Half), so maybe my expectations were a tad too high. Given my experience, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this one. On a different day, I might give it three stars, but for now, it’s a two-star read for me.

Review: Gary Vaynerchuk – Twelve and a Half (S)

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Twelve and a Half
Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success
Gary Vaynerchuk

“In his sixth business book, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and investor Gary Vaynerchuk explores the twelve essential emotional skills that are integral to his life—and business—success and provides today’s (and tomorrow’s) leaders with critical tools to acquire and develop these traits. This iconoclastic book will help you refine your ingredients and improve your leadership capabilities. When implemented in the proper situation, these ingredients can help leaders land promotions, retain core employees, move faster than competitors, win the loyalty of customers, and build successful organizations that last.”

This book landed in my life at the right moment. It’s not often that a book resonates with you to such a degree, but this one certainly did. I found myself wholeheartedly agreeing with every word, making it a truly outstanding read. The author delves into the realms of not just becoming a better manager or leader, but also provides invaluable insights into the complex terrain of navigating the workplace and climbing the corporate ladder. It sets a high bar for what a successful workplace should resemble while delivering some much-needed tough love to readers.

One of the book’s great strengths lies in the author’s ability to seamlessly blend personal anecdotes and engaging storytelling with practical advice. He draws from his own experiences and lessons learned to illustrate how the twelve and a half emotional ingredients he outlines can be cultivated by anyone to surmount challenges and attain their aspirations.

At the start I found the book to be good, but I didn’t anticipate rereading it. However, as I progressed, my perspective shifted. By the halfway point, I was already planning to revisit it in a few years, and by the end, I felt compelled to start reading it all over again.

What truly sets this book apart is the relatable scenarios it presents. As I encountered each one, I couldn’t help but think, “Yes, I’ve been there,” and the content remained entirely relevant throughout. The book excels in explaining these emotional traits and providing a roadmap for acquiring them.

“Twelve and a Half” is incredibly inspiring and uplifting. It has a remarkable ability to lift your spirits and significantly contributed to improving my state of mind at the time I read it. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth and achievement. This book is captivating, instructive, and eye-opening, making it a must-read for managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in harnessing their emotions as a powerful tool for achieving success in the business world. The insights are a valuable resource that should not be missed! 5 stars.

Review: Bryce G. Hoffman – Red Teaming (S)

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Red Teaming
Bryce G. Hoffman

“THE GAME-CHANGING APPROACH TO STRATEGY AND PLANNING THAT WILL KEEP YOUR BUSINESS AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION. Developed by the military and intelligence agencies, red teaming is a revolutionary way to stress-test strategies, flush out unseen threats and missed opportunities, and execute more successfully in an increasingly uncertain world.”

I was pretty pumped when I first saw this book because, well, it’s red! I had high hopes for an exciting read, but boy, was I let down. The beginning of the book dragged on with long-winded chapters all about military stuff. It was like the words were just sliding off the page instead of getting into my head. Sure, we needed some background info, but that was way too much. I get that the principles are based on military history, but a little less history and a little more about applications of those principles would be usefu.

It seemed like the author was more interested in telling their life story about how they got into red teaming. I kept waiting to get to the good stuff about what red teaming actually is, but instead, it was all about setting up for it with no real substance. Finally, toward the end, we kinda sorta got to the point, and it turns out that red teaming is just a mishmash of thinking techniques you’ve probably heard of before. The author basically said, “Use the one that works for you, in your current scenario.” So, not exactly groundbreaking.

Don’t even get me started on the company examples they threw in there besides all the military based stuff. McDonald’s, Uber, Google – we’ve heard it all before, and they barely scratched the surface. Honestly, skip this one and go read “Thinking in New Boxes” instead. I’m giving “Red Teaming” a solid one-star rating – I gave up and couldn’t bring myself to read the final chapters.

Review: Shoji Morimoto – Rental Person Who Does Nothing

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Rental Person Who Does Nothing: A memior
Shoji Morimoto

“Today, I’m starting a ‘rent a person who does nothing‘ service . . . Except for very simple conversation, I’m afraid I can do nothing.  Shoji Morimoto was constantly being told that he was a ‘do-nothing’ because he lacked initiative. Dispirited and unemployed, it occurred to him that if he was so good at doing nothing, perhaps he could turn it into a business. And with one tweet, he began his business of renting himself out . . . to do nothing. Morimoto, aka Rental Person, provides a fascinating service to the lonely and socially anxious.”

I received this tiny little non-fiction in the mail, and couldn’t believe my eyes that it was AU$32. I knocked it down in less than 2 hours, and unfortunately, didn’t get much out of it. There’s also a TV drama.  I’ve dreamed (not very deeply) of being a nude model for art classes, which is pretty much ‘do nothing’ as far as I’m concerned. Mr. Morimoto’s idea is that doing nothing is ok – it’s not what someone does that makes them ‘useful’.

The book implies that he is free to hire, and all you pay is transportation and food if the ‘appointment’ is during meal times. Perhaps this was true when he started in 2018, but a quick google says that he charges 10’000 yen or ~US$80 per appointment. I reckon that’s a pretty good return! He also said in the book that he was living off his savings, but as of 2022 he does make a living from it (on Twitter it says his fee is 30’000 yen).

I don’t think there’s room for a do nothing person in Australia. Plenty of Aussies are very proud they do nothing! I very much doubt you’d find someone to pay you for nothing. I think that maybe Japanese society is fit for this, as you can rent a person for many other things. And perhaps there is more focus on what it looks like to others when you go places alone? Honestly, if I was going to pay someone as company, as a slender white Queer ciswoman, I’d be hiring a proper boyguard who can defend me if needed (particularly travelling in countries not safe for women).

Anyway, I don’t think this memoir is a good fit for the Australia market. Maybe borrow it from the library or a friend, or give it to someone as a cheeky gift! Maybe it’ll be perfect for gifting to that person in the office who never does anything…

Pan Macmillan | 11 July 2023 | AU$29.99 | paperback

Review: Sarah Kessler – Gigged (S)

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Gigged
The End of the Job and the Future of Work
Sarah Kessler

“In Gigged, Sarah Kessler meets the people forging this new world of unorthodox employment: from the computer programmer who chooses exactly which hours he works each week, via the Uber driver who is trying to convince his peers to unionise, to the charity worker who thinks freelance gigs might just transform the fortunes of a declining rural town. Their stories raise crucial questions about the future of work. What happens when job security, holidays and benefits become a thing of the past? How can freelancers find meaningful, well-paid employment? And could the gig economy really change the world of work for ever?”

The book titled “Gigged” introduces the author’s concept of freelancing and the autonomy it offers in choosing one’s own jobs. Despite its publication a few years ago, the book is still relevant. The author frequently references Uber as an illustrative example, highlighting the freelance contractors of Uber drivers. Various anecdotes from other companies are included creating a comprehensive narrative.
I found the examples to be quite enjoyable. Initially, the author seems to diverge from the main topic, giving the impression of going off on tangents. However, as one progresses through the book, a rhythmic pattern emerges, allowing for a better understanding of the author’s style. The book manages to deliver a wealth of information in an easily digestible manner.

One aspect that detracted from my overall experience was the book’s heavy emphasis on American contexts, including examples and specific currency amounts. This limited scope is irrelevant to readers from other parts of the world and hampers the ability to connect with the provided examples.

Overall 4 stars. What will the future look like?

Review: NDF novels #4

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A Life in Trauma
Memoirs of An Emergency Physician
Chris Luke

“Concern. Compassion. Doubt. Despair. Anger. Hope. Imagine juggling these feelings every day in a situation where your work could mean the difference between someone’s life or death.” I confess that I didn’t finish ‘reading’ this book (I read it as an audiobook). I found the tone to be extremely dry and everything was delivered in a flat tone of voice. The only reason that I got most of the way through it was because I had a 4 hour commute by myself, and I forgot to download a different book! That being said, I still enjoyed this book more than Undoctored.

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas
Adam Kay

Another audiobook that I listened to. Plenty of interesting trauma stories as long as you filter out the voice of Adam Kay. What can I say? I was super bored, this was short, and I could easily tune out of it to pay attention to the rest of the conversations in the room. After awhile it became a bit more repeditive (the same stupid people still do stupid things at Christmas). Someone keen for more Adam Kay is going to love it, someone wanting to hear more about the lives of medical doctors will probably cringe and enjoy it in equal measures.

Made in China
Anna Qu

This book read like a sensationalised novel, and I’m not certain I got something particularly valuable out of it. I have read many other books about the experiences of Chinese immigrants, some that are memoirs (Mao’s Last Dancer, Shanghai Acrobat) and others that are fictional (Tiger Daughter). This is the second in a series of unremarkable memoirs I’ve read recently. I wouldn’t pay to buy this book, and I’m sad at home much time I spent reading it. I don’t think that the story within is particularly unique any more. There’s usually not much to comment on for a non-fiction novel, and this one even more so.

Review: Samer Nashef – The Naked Surgeon

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The Naked Surgeon
The power and peril of transparency in medicine
Samer Nashef

“We are not meant to touch hearts. We all have one, but most of us will never see one. The heart surgeon now has that privilege but, for centuries, the heart was out of reach even for surgeons. So when a surgeon nowadays opens up a ribcage and mends a heart, it remains something of a miracle, even if, to some, it is merely plumbing. As with plumbers, the quality of surgeons’ work varies. As with plumbers, surgeons’ opinion of their own prowess and their own attitude to risk are not always reliable. Measurement is key. We’ve had a century of effective evidence-based medicine. We’ve had barely a decade of thorough monitoring of clinical outcomes.”

As someone who has a regrettably bad grasp on statistics, this book was fantastic! It explained some pretty complex modelling scenarios in a way that didn’t make me feel stupid and that I’m certain a non-scientist would understand. I didn’t expect to enjoy reading it, but the author does a great job delivering the material in a way that kept me preferentially keep going over other parallel reads I was doing. Also, I felt the need to share some random facts with others in my vicinity. Cool stuff!

It’s terrifying to think about the success rates of some of the earliest surgical interventions. Reading old veterinary novels (eg. James Herriot) reminds us of a time when medicine wasn’t actually all that good at fixing things! I think that’s it’s quite common that if you are facing surgery you just trust that the surgeon is going to do the right thing, and try to get a good outcome for you. This is particularly true in Australia and Britain where the public health system is free/low cost. This book is a timely reminder to check your options and seek a second opinion if you need one. Trust doctors, but also do your own research.

This book was quite British based, but still has relevance to healthcare around the globe. I found it so interesting to see that my preconception that governments see the most ‘efficient treatment’ to be the cheapest as true. Sometimes (perhaps even always?) this might lead to poorer patient outcome in terms of survival – because someone who dies on the operating table doesn’t have any expensive post-surgery rehab!

I recently lost an uncle to a mostly unexpected heart attack after he’d already had a successful intervention earlier in the year. I’m certain that his surgeon is one of the ones who obsesses over those that they lose and improves from that loss. The other heart scenario I have personally encountered is an aortic dissection – which is actually quite rare! All this sends home the message that even though heart surgery has come a long way it’s still better to keep yourself in shape to stay out of the operating theatre.

It’s a book best ‘enjoyed’ slowly, so that you can let the statistics sink in. I’d keenly read more books by this author, if he chooses to share his thoughts on other medical topical matters.