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From Predators to Icons: Exposing the Myth of the Business Hero
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- GenresBusiness
Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 20, 2021
This book should be rated much higher. The author has an incisive intellect and sugarcoats nothing. I always know a nonfiction book is good when I can see examples that prove the theories everywhere.
This book wasn’t written as a criticism of business although it seemed that way in the beginning. He just painted a picture that removed the rose colored glasses that biographies are often viewed through.
A few themes:
Entrepreneurs are not risk takers. The most successful ones make windfalls from legal maneuvering or low risk deals where they have special insight.
Much of the wealth of the richest businessmen is a acquired through a few key deals. Think Zuckerberg and the fight for Facebook. Or Buffett acquiring Geico. He mostly uses examples from France. Fewer modern examples but it applies.
Many attribute their success to innovation, but often the wealth necessary to develop their innovations was acquired earlier through other means.
I enjoy books that shatter myths or conventions.
This book wasn’t written as a criticism of business although it seemed that way in the beginning. He just painted a picture that removed the rose colored glasses that biographies are often viewed through.
A few themes:
Entrepreneurs are not risk takers. The most successful ones make windfalls from legal maneuvering or low risk deals where they have special insight.
Much of the wealth of the richest businessmen is a acquired through a few key deals. Think Zuckerberg and the fight for Facebook. Or Buffett acquiring Geico. He mostly uses examples from France. Fewer modern examples but it applies.
Many attribute their success to innovation, but often the wealth necessary to develop their innovations was acquired earlier through other means.
I enjoy books that shatter myths or conventions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2022
I think about this book all the time. It has the most immediate real world application of any book I’ve ever read. It helps to better understand your boss, elected leaders, and others in power. While the examples are a little dated and often specific to France, the archetypes apply very well.
I was particularly taken with the idea of the chaos leader that purposely leaves things vague so they can swoop in as the hero to either take credit for the accomplishment or take their underling to task for not doing it the “right way”.
The book is also an excellent take down of the idea that an entrepreneur is a risk taker. They show how time and again business leaders gain wealth by risk reduction (offloading it into others) and a predatory ability to take advantage of the situation they find themselves in.
A fascinating read.
I was particularly taken with the idea of the chaos leader that purposely leaves things vague so they can swoop in as the hero to either take credit for the accomplishment or take their underling to task for not doing it the “right way”.
The book is also an excellent take down of the idea that an entrepreneur is a risk taker. They show how time and again business leaders gain wealth by risk reduction (offloading it into others) and a predatory ability to take advantage of the situation they find themselves in.
A fascinating read.
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August 17, 2015Risk reduction exposed at its best
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews