Do Better Work: Finding Clarity, Camaraderie, and Progress in Work and Life

by Max Yoder

When we do better work, we live better lives.

Share before you’re ready. Get more agreements. Have difficult conversations. These are a few of the practical but profound ideas Lessonly CEO Max Yoder shares in Do Better Work. No matter your rank or role, if you want to see more understanding, accountability, and progress on your team, these stories and examples are for you.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Startup

Audible Audio

Published March 28, 2019

Reviews

[Izzy Spada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read that has powerful messages. Chapters 5 and 8 were my favorites - the quote “One of the most important things you can do is become more aware of how you show up. Do you bring cheer? Warmth? Indifference? Friction? Something else?” was especially poignant. It is so important to be self aware and realize how your behaviors impact the people around you.

[Christen Dubs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything the last book I had to read for work wasn’t: simple concepts, simply explained in easily digestible chapters, ready to be simply integrated into our work and personal lives. Max Yoder is easy to read and on our level as he explains these ways of Doing Better Work. AND, this book is short and sweet enough to refer back to anytime I need a refresher. Well written and well executed.

[Anthony Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short. Sweet. To the point.

I liked how the author packed simple ideas and clear concise examples into a short read. I want more business authors to write books like this.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best business and leadership book I’ve read in a very long time. The advice is simple, but deeply impactful, and he makes everything applicable. Can’t recommend this easy read highly enough. It’s a 5+ star.

[Allee Koestner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a book club at work and really enjoyed it. The topics covered are the things that I didn't learn in college, but would now argue are more important than a lot of the topics I was taught.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book and appreciate business books that have a few ideas to share, get to the point, explain it simply and practically and then move on. This is one of those books.

Max is a young executive, but the lessons are solid and it is worth the read. If you can find a few ideas in any book like this that resonate and you can implement it is a win. I found a dozen potential ideas and believe that most folks would find something of value.

In the years ahead I would be similarly interested to see how Max’s thoughts evolve in ten or so years. Not saying he will change his POV, but I suspect he will continue to learn and evolve his thinking and that itself would be interesting to see.

The book was an easy read so we’ll worth the couple hours.

[Tim Morrissey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick read with some simple tips to improve your work life (with the hopes that it will spill over to your personal life too). A lot of the tips are straight forward and almost obvious, but this is perfect to reflect on those small things you may be forgetting and improve your work and relationships with coworkers.

Share early and often
Work together to find common deadlines
Summarizes conversations.
Communicate!

Thanks for the nice quick read Max. I read this after Brad F. suggested it.

[Toni Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read that both provides aspirational and practical advice about interpersonal relationships. It is more than just a primer for creating a culture of positivity, communication and teamwork at work...it is also provides tools you can use in your family and friendships. I usually do not read for my professional development, as I find most authors in the genre writing as a way to brag about how awesome they are. This book is much less about Max Yoder's successes (and he has had them) than the lessons we all can learn to be a better teammate and partner.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short read with easily digestible lessons for work and life. There are definitely more detailed and expansive books that cover the same topics Yoder discusses in Do Better Work, but his book is a good, bite-sized intro and would be an easy read for newly onboarded team members or as a gift to a friend starting a new job, etc. We discussed his book as part of a work book club and there were plenty of relevant points for discussion and its length and style made it accessible to a wider audience than might be interested in other self-improvement books.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy-to-implement insights to work and live better.

Really enjoyed this quick read. Very helpful and useful tips/tricks for improving personal and professional relationships. While simple and straight forward, the insights are worth revisiting frequently.

[Otis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you looking for a simple straightforward book to gain some clarity in life and business, this is the book for you. Useful credit worthy information which is practical. Very insightful information.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to have a number of useful concepts. The bringing forward of the ideas of camaraderie and clarity for making positive progress is important in these times of turbulence and desire for change.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short read - several solid nuggets to carry with you not only into work but also personal relationships.

[KC Planck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. A quick read but I ended up buying more of the book so I can give it as a gift

[Nicolette Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seemingly obvious concepts and yet Yoder writes about them in a way that are no brainers and really drive home how to apply the simple things we all sit around and discuss but don’t actually do. I liked this. One of the more practical business reads out there. Again, simple, yet effective.

[Gina Chen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great typography and decent illustrations, hence the one star (paper quality, also very nice). The content? Trite and not worth reading.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lot of good points that can apply both professionally and on a personal level.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely incredible. Whether you’re wanting to read it from a business standpoint or a personal standpoint, it has exponential benefits in both directions. I had the pleasure of getting to hear Max speak about this book and he is genuinely an amazing person who poured his soul into this book and I would recommend it to anyone!

[Asha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was gifted this book for free at a tech panel and I think it was a decent, quick read. Some chapters, especially towards the beginning felt like really long Medium posts that didn’t offer much, at least for me. But the chapters towards the end on handling conflicts and setting agreements (instead of expectations) really resonated with me. I can almost see myself coming back to specific parts of the book in the future... but it also, just felt a bit forgettable.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a concise summary of ways to improve your collaboration with teammates at work. What I was really picked up this book for was content on how to find individual fulfillment at work, but quickly learned this book is more about how to make teams more effective. Ultimately, no concept in this book was completely new to me, and it won't be new content to you either if you've read a good number of behavioral/habit change books, management books, as well as some Brene Brown. That said, I did appreciate this as a refresher with great examples and explanations. It inspired me to zero in on one of the tactics in this book as a professional goal for the next month and that makes me think the book might be nice to keep around and re-read quickly when I'm ready for a new skill to focus on.

[Brad Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't miss the value of this book just because it's an easy read. Yoder offers steps to apply most of his points, which is great.

Master these habits and not only will you do better work and live a better life, so will those around you.

[Tracie Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. Most of the info was a reminder - but shared in a manner that was both poignant and relevant. This book WILL help me be better at work and in my personal relationships.

[Blue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a collection of summaries of methods from other people. It was okay, but lacked depth. It was short and succinct with good uses of examples to elucidate points.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read with great introductions to a number of topics I want to do additional reading on. I personally appreciated the practical examples included in a number of chapters.

[Jessica Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I’m making it a goal to re-read each quarter to stay on my A-game for my team. Great tips that apply to those working in corporate America.

[Kelly Houske · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever met Max you’ll appreciate the clarity this book brings. Max is an amazing human and this book does a great job of dealing with life and work. We should all consider the gems inside

[GooseReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just really honest and important book about communicating in all aspects of your life, but perhaps more focussed on your professional relationships. A book I’d love everyone to read 💜

[Katherine Coble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple concepts, good reminders. I especially like the info on nonviolent communication.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do better work

Great read. This book is eye opening and informative . It applies to business as well as personal life interactions.

[Kayleigh Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this. The author provided a lot of great things to think about in both work and non-work settings. Will be reading again, maybe even yearly!