Book review: Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
Preface
Steven Bartlett explains that many books are too long and that the essence of a good book lies in the simplicity and power of stories, rather than in technical data.
First Part of the Book: The Self
The first section focuses on personal development, the importance of skills, and constant improvement.
Law No.1: Fill Your Five Buckets in the Right Order
Bartlett identifies five essential elements for success:
- What you know
- What you can do
- Who you know
- Your resources
- Your reputation
Each bucket is interconnected and must be filled in this order to maximize the chances of success.
Law No.2: To Master a Subject, Teach It
Teaching is the key to truly mastering a subject. Teaching others allows you to refine your knowledge and gain even deeper expertise.
Law No.3: Do Not Express Your Disagreement
Expressing direct disagreement in a discussion can block communication. It's better to start by finding common ground to encourage mutual and constructive reflection.
Law No.4: You Do Not Choose What You Believe
Beliefs are primarily the product of our environment and experiences. However, they can change based on the evidence we encounter over time.
Law No.5: Take an Interest in What is Strange
What seems strange today can become crucial tomorrow. Stay curious about new trends like artificial intelligence and blockchain to remain competitive.
Law No.6: Ask Instead of Stating
Asking questions, rather than making statements, pushes your interlocutor to think and formulate more nuanced responses.
Law No.7: Never Compromise on Your Self-Story
Your "self-story" (the story you tell yourself about yourself) profoundly influences your discipline and actions. If you see yourself as a winner, your actions will follow that line.
Law No.8: Never Fight a Bad Habit
Instead of trying to eliminate a bad habit, replace it with another routine. For example, replace the urge to smoke with another action when you are stressed.
Law No.9: Always Prioritize Your Foundations
What you do today profoundly influences your future. It is essential to lay solid foundations in skills and resources to succeed in the long term.
Second Part of the Book: The Story
This section explores how unconventional elements can define a business and leave a lasting impression.
Law No.10: The Absurd and the Useless Will Define You More Than the Practical and the Useful
Unusual actions attract attention and help you stand out. A striking example is Bartlett’s investment in fun equipment for his offices, which attracted media attention. Example: Steven Bartlett invested in unusual elements for his offices, like a slide, thereby attracting media attention.
Law No.11: Avoid the Tapestry Effect at All Costs
It is crucial to differentiate yourself in a world where everyone is trying to do the same thing. By standing out, you capture attention and generate interest.
Law No.12: Make Yourself Disliked
Being liked by everyone is impossible and even counterproductive. Provoking polarizing reactions helps capture attention and engage a more loyal audience. Creating controversy can be an effective way to generate engagement and sales.
Law No.13: Start with a Few Psychological Moonshots
"Moonshots" are small touches that, although subtle, create a powerful psychological impact and enhance the perception of a product or service.
Law No.14: Frictions Can Create Value
Introducing frictions into a user experience (for example, a simulated delay in a price comparator) can increase the perceived value of the service.
Law No.15: The Framework is More Important Than the Image
How a product is presented influences how it is perceived. Apple excels in creating an environment that values its products through its clean Apple Stores.
Law No.16: Exploit the Golden Loop Effect
Presenting three options, with two extremes and one median option, makes the middle option more attractive. This strategy is widely used by Apple with its iPhone ranges.
Law No.17: Trying is Buying
Allowing customers to try a product reinforces their desire to buy it. This strategy is applied in Apple Stores where products are always available for testing.
Law No.18: It All Happens in the First 5 Seconds
Whether in a presentation or a video, the first five seconds are crucial to capture attention and convince the audience.
Third Part of the Book: Philosophy
In this section, Bartlett explores philosophical principles and the management of failure.
Law No.19: Every Detail Counts
Success relies on paying attention to the smallest details, which are often ignored or neglected by others.
Law No.20: Today’s Small Failures Lead to Tomorrow’s Big Failures
Unresolved or ignored errors can turn into massive failures. It is crucial to address small problems before they become unmanageable. Every small problem that is not addressed can lead to a significant failure.
Law No.21: Fail More Than the Competition
The more you fail, the more you learn. Failure is a stepping stone to success, and those who fail often will eventually surpass those who play it safe.
Law No.22: Think Plan A
The existence of a plan B can often distract you from the success of plan A. Fully commit to your main goal to maximize your chances of success.
Law No.23: Don’t Be an Ostrich
Sticking your head in the sand in the face of challenges or new technologies can be fatal. Face challenges head-on and adapt to changes to stay relevant.
Law No.24: Pressure is a Privilege
Pressure is an indicator that what you are doing matters. Learn to use it as a driving force rather than avoid it.
Law No.25: The Power of Negative Manifestation
Consider why a project might fail in order to better anticipate and solve potential problems before they arise.
Law No.26: Your Skills Are Worthless Without Context
No matter your skills, if they are not used in the right context, they will be undervalued. Ensure you are in an environment that values your talents.
Law No.27: Death, Time, and Discipline
Discipline is the key to all success. Motivation can start a project, but only discipline will allow you to carry it through. By recognizing mortality and the rarity of time, you better understand the importance of discipline and prioritization.
Fourth Part of the Book: The Team
This section focuses on team management and leadership.
Law No.28: Ask Who, Not How
Instead of asking how to do something, ask who can help you. Collaborating with the right people is crucial for advancing quickly. Don’t try to do everything alone; build a strong network to support your projects.
Law No.29: Create a Sectarian Mentality
Ensure that your team shares very strong common values, almost like a sect, to reinforce their commitment and dedication to the project. A team mentality united around strong principles is more performance-driven and resilient to external challenges.
Law No.30: The Three Pillars of Building a Great Team
The three foundations of a high-performing team are trust, communication, and commitment to a common goal. These three elements must be regularly nurtured to avoid discord and ensure effective long-term cooperation.
Law No.31: Exploit the Power of Progress
Celebrate every small victory to encourage team members to continue progressing. Recognizing small advancements creates a positive dynamic and reinforces motivation. Reward and value regular progress to keep your collaborators involved and motivated.
Law No.32: Be an Inconsistent Leader
The idea of this law is surprising: an inconsistent leader is unpredictable, making them difficult to read and thus to manipulate. However, this inconsistency must be calculated and used strategically to keep the team alert and adaptable. Do not constantly flatter your collaborators. Instead, challenge them to bring out their best. Mastered inconsistency allows you to surprise and create new dynamics.
Law No.33: Bonus
This law is simply a call to action to emphasize the importance of continuous learning to succeed in life.
Conclusion
This book was very interesting. Many lessons can only be understood through practice, and reading the book alone is not enough to understand what needs to be put into practice. Test, innovate, but most importantly, act. Moving to action is now, not tomorrow. If you need help, don't hesitate to join the Discord server to discuss the book together: https://discord.gg/believemy-749242783058886716
You can buy the original version (English) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gDxIHd
You can also buy it in French: https://amzn.to/3ZG52al
Thank you for reading my notes 🙂
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