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Think Big, Act Bigger: The Rewards of Being Relentless
The most dangerous move in business is the failure to make a move.Global business celebrity and prime-time Bloomberg Television host, Jeffrey W. Hayzlett empowers business leaders to tie their visions to actions, advancing themselves past competitors and closer to their business dream. Drawing upon his own business back stories including his time as CMO of Kodak and sharing examples from the many leaders featured on “The C-Suite with Jeff Hayzlett,” Hayzlett imparts ten core lessons that dare readers to own who they are as a leader and/or company, define where they want to go, and fearlessly do what it takes to get there-caring less about conventional wisdom, re-framing limitations, and steamrolling obstacles as they go.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2015
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453 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 20, 2023
Got a few good nuggets to focus on but the guy really likes himself. Biggest advice is to relentlessly focus on what works for your business. Seems obvious but we are too scattered throughout the day
July 23, 2017
Why I bought that book, not going into much detail on long history after The Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't are my experiments in social world that led mew to realize - you aren't loved for being "good", because in such case you wouldn't get attention, average is mediocrity. You should be a bit irrational (like first sentences of this book says), a bit dangerous crocodile, relentless bastard. And nothing unites people better than hate. I hope this book will give me more insight into this. Like "Better call Saul" said "my dad, everybody loved him, because he was ...." OK.
OK, read it. Had some quotes that I would remember and use to pump myself up :-D, but anyway not so relentless, had no examples of it.
OK, read it. Had some quotes that I would remember and use to pump myself up :-D, but anyway not so relentless, had no examples of it.
October 12, 2015
It’s true; the most dangerous move in business is the failure to make a move. If you do nothing you won’t progress and may fail; if you move you still may fail but at least you’ve tried – within reason therefore, it is good to “think big, act bigger”.
The author is an acclaimed industry veteran who has the scares to prove it, and here he seeks to inspire and get people thinking and doing things. At least if you try, you’ll never wonder what could have happened if you had just dared to try. This is one of the better “business inspiration and motivation” type books and boy is there a lot of them on the market. All books of this type can be very personal affairs – you need to establish a personal connection with the author’s words and have faith – yet some seem to be less credible, more superfluous and harder to gel with than others. Even with the expected alpha-male bombastic, egocentric positivity that comes with this book, it did seem to be more genuine, heart-felt and actual than many others.
The usual aims and goals are offered up; there’s nothing overly untoward or special here. The author’s experiences and successes are mixed in liberally around the advice and counsel on offer. A lot of humour and the author’s character shone through. Maybe part of the attraction for this reviewer is the perceived less strait-laced, possibly irreverent approach taken by the author. How many books would, after all, overtly state that you may “…achieve the next big thing by being a little pig-headed and irrational”? It grew on you. In fact the relative unconventional, direct approach taken tipped this over from being a reasonable three-star book to a great four-star one and potentially the sky is the limit.
Some of the author’s stories might confuse the reader, letting them question the point of adding them, such as the author being hired to give a speech and then being told he would be fined (his fee reduced) for every utterance of 21 words. All because a bit of grown-up language (a list was not given, but the inference was that the list did not have racist or sexist terms, so it probably had things like the “B” and “F” word. Clearly you wouldn’t or shouldn’t drop the F word on a live CNBC broadcast, but in a closed audience of adults in a high-intensity, passionate speech it might not be entirely unjustified. Clearly you wouldn’t open the speech with “Hello, I’m f…g glad to be here today. What a f…g nightmare the airport was, the b…ds lost my case and gave me s..t when I complained”.
The author tells the story: “This company, an otherwise terrific software business, couldn’t deal with it. They were willing to pay my speaking fee but wanted to fine me $500 for each time I used one of the words on the list, up to a total fine of $7,500. I counted on my fingers (math is not my strong suit) how many bad words that gave me: 15. Then I looked at the list. There were words on there I would never think of using. It would be very difficult for me to work them all in, but I love a challenge. I accepted the deal with every intention of using up all $7,500. Forget for a moment that the company never discussed any of this with me before sending over these stipulations. (Want me to tone it down? Just ask me. Don’t bring in the lawyers first.) What I couldn’t figure out was why this company wanted me to speak in the first place if this is what they expected. I am an open book. No one hires a dog like me and wonders why he doesn’t meow. I am not effective or for everyone, and I know it, but as a result, no one ever complains that they got something they were not expecting. Why would they want me to change who I was on a fundamental level?” Makes sense? Be yourself, be genuine and don’t be something you are not.
If you take the time to read this book you will find a lot of things that you may secretly agree with, yet it might not be “acceptable” to highlight and amplify them. After all, everyone uncritically loves TED talks or what? Franchise trendy food stores are just doing a great job? A consistent, uniform product must be superior?
You can warm to the author and his style. Even relatively mundane issues about interacting with an assistant can seem one thing but be another when you focus on the detail and consider why a certain course of action was taken. All over, for example, a simple question about a colour or monochrome print out. Be different? The author wrote: “You know, I’ve been called pig-headed a number of times, and I’ve never taken offence, because I find pigs smart and delicious. But until this book, I never looked up the actual definition of pig-headed, which according to Merriam-Webster means ‘refusing to do what other people want or to change your opinion or the way you do something: very stubborn.’ Synonyms for pig-headed include everything from ‘headstrong’ to ‘opinionated’ to ‘wilful.’ I’m good with being those things when necessary, especially when considering the opposites of pig-headed: ‘acquiescent, compliant, pliable, relenting, and yielding’.”
If you let it, this book will give generously a mix of humour, insight, tragedy, shock and a mass of actionable information. It might not lead you by the nose to be a squillionaire, but it can help transform you in ways you had not considered where necessary, as well as the usual “boring business attributes” that are a given “good to improve if you can”.
Autamme.com
The author is an acclaimed industry veteran who has the scares to prove it, and here he seeks to inspire and get people thinking and doing things. At least if you try, you’ll never wonder what could have happened if you had just dared to try. This is one of the better “business inspiration and motivation” type books and boy is there a lot of them on the market. All books of this type can be very personal affairs – you need to establish a personal connection with the author’s words and have faith – yet some seem to be less credible, more superfluous and harder to gel with than others. Even with the expected alpha-male bombastic, egocentric positivity that comes with this book, it did seem to be more genuine, heart-felt and actual than many others.
The usual aims and goals are offered up; there’s nothing overly untoward or special here. The author’s experiences and successes are mixed in liberally around the advice and counsel on offer. A lot of humour and the author’s character shone through. Maybe part of the attraction for this reviewer is the perceived less strait-laced, possibly irreverent approach taken by the author. How many books would, after all, overtly state that you may “…achieve the next big thing by being a little pig-headed and irrational”? It grew on you. In fact the relative unconventional, direct approach taken tipped this over from being a reasonable three-star book to a great four-star one and potentially the sky is the limit.
Some of the author’s stories might confuse the reader, letting them question the point of adding them, such as the author being hired to give a speech and then being told he would be fined (his fee reduced) for every utterance of 21 words. All because a bit of grown-up language (a list was not given, but the inference was that the list did not have racist or sexist terms, so it probably had things like the “B” and “F” word. Clearly you wouldn’t or shouldn’t drop the F word on a live CNBC broadcast, but in a closed audience of adults in a high-intensity, passionate speech it might not be entirely unjustified. Clearly you wouldn’t open the speech with “Hello, I’m f…g glad to be here today. What a f…g nightmare the airport was, the b…ds lost my case and gave me s..t when I complained”.
The author tells the story: “This company, an otherwise terrific software business, couldn’t deal with it. They were willing to pay my speaking fee but wanted to fine me $500 for each time I used one of the words on the list, up to a total fine of $7,500. I counted on my fingers (math is not my strong suit) how many bad words that gave me: 15. Then I looked at the list. There were words on there I would never think of using. It would be very difficult for me to work them all in, but I love a challenge. I accepted the deal with every intention of using up all $7,500. Forget for a moment that the company never discussed any of this with me before sending over these stipulations. (Want me to tone it down? Just ask me. Don’t bring in the lawyers first.) What I couldn’t figure out was why this company wanted me to speak in the first place if this is what they expected. I am an open book. No one hires a dog like me and wonders why he doesn’t meow. I am not effective or for everyone, and I know it, but as a result, no one ever complains that they got something they were not expecting. Why would they want me to change who I was on a fundamental level?” Makes sense? Be yourself, be genuine and don’t be something you are not.
If you take the time to read this book you will find a lot of things that you may secretly agree with, yet it might not be “acceptable” to highlight and amplify them. After all, everyone uncritically loves TED talks or what? Franchise trendy food stores are just doing a great job? A consistent, uniform product must be superior?
You can warm to the author and his style. Even relatively mundane issues about interacting with an assistant can seem one thing but be another when you focus on the detail and consider why a certain course of action was taken. All over, for example, a simple question about a colour or monochrome print out. Be different? The author wrote: “You know, I’ve been called pig-headed a number of times, and I’ve never taken offence, because I find pigs smart and delicious. But until this book, I never looked up the actual definition of pig-headed, which according to Merriam-Webster means ‘refusing to do what other people want or to change your opinion or the way you do something: very stubborn.’ Synonyms for pig-headed include everything from ‘headstrong’ to ‘opinionated’ to ‘wilful.’ I’m good with being those things when necessary, especially when considering the opposites of pig-headed: ‘acquiescent, compliant, pliable, relenting, and yielding’.”
If you let it, this book will give generously a mix of humour, insight, tragedy, shock and a mass of actionable information. It might not lead you by the nose to be a squillionaire, but it can help transform you in ways you had not considered where necessary, as well as the usual “boring business attributes” that are a given “good to improve if you can”.
Autamme.com
August 29, 2023
Buzz buzz buzz words seems like a lot of info most people can figure out on their own.
August 16, 2015
Jeffrey W. Hayzlett wasn't a familiar name to me before reading this book but his no nonsense writing style and managerial advice to succeed in business resonated with my take charge Type A personality.
I found myself folding down page corners and re-reading passages and mantras like "TYCO" which stands for "thank you Captain Obvious" meaning someone is wasting time pointing out what is easily understood and NO explanation should be needed. Top people in companies do need to remember how to clean their own toilets and remember people are the backbone of their product. Today's customers demand better and specialized service in today's fast paced world and technology should be a part of that but never settle for complacency.
This book would be a hit with employees climbing the ladder to success and wanting inspiration to reach farther while retaining their personality and serving others which requires them to THINK and ACT with no waffling allowed. Own your mistakes and learn from them but never stop moving forward and never think you're too big to fail. Hayzlett (along with Jim Eber) nails the rewards of hard work and building your brand and showing how icons like Cadillac, Ford, and Domino's Pizza faced opposition, feedback and sustained their business and came out stronger and are still around today.
I received a free advanced reading copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I found myself folding down page corners and re-reading passages and mantras like "TYCO" which stands for "thank you Captain Obvious" meaning someone is wasting time pointing out what is easily understood and NO explanation should be needed. Top people in companies do need to remember how to clean their own toilets and remember people are the backbone of their product. Today's customers demand better and specialized service in today's fast paced world and technology should be a part of that but never settle for complacency.
This book would be a hit with employees climbing the ladder to success and wanting inspiration to reach farther while retaining their personality and serving others which requires them to THINK and ACT with no waffling allowed. Own your mistakes and learn from them but never stop moving forward and never think you're too big to fail. Hayzlett (along with Jim Eber) nails the rewards of hard work and building your brand and showing how icons like Cadillac, Ford, and Domino's Pizza faced opposition, feedback and sustained their business and came out stronger and are still around today.
I received a free advanced reading copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2016
I can't claim to be a TV fan of Author Jeffrey Hayzlett because, frankly, I never heard of him before I read this book. However, I enjoy both business books and self-help books, and this is really a combination of the two. The lessons shared by Hayzlett can be applied on both a micro and macro level because, indeed, in the world of work, we are our own brand. Who we are and what we achieve is largely self-determined, not the result of where we work. We shape our own destiny, but often forget that in the midst of a corporate environment.
There are plenty of great ideas in this book, and once you look past the alpha-male posing, things are presented clearly, succinctly, and with some real depth of thought. One of the best ideas is about power and empowering the people that work for you to do their jobs by sharing a very clear mission and direction, and then letting them get on with it. Too many managers instead claim the wrong sort of power (seeking to control every detail) and as a result, never really get to the bigger ideas or actions. Need proof? Just look around you.
I like the brevity of the book and the ideas contained therein. Too often writers will make books longer simply for the sake of padding out their writing, without really adding any additional substance. This book is lean and driven. There are plenty of great ideas; just open the book at any chapter and apply. It's that simple and that great.
There are plenty of great ideas in this book, and once you look past the alpha-male posing, things are presented clearly, succinctly, and with some real depth of thought. One of the best ideas is about power and empowering the people that work for you to do their jobs by sharing a very clear mission and direction, and then letting them get on with it. Too many managers instead claim the wrong sort of power (seeking to control every detail) and as a result, never really get to the bigger ideas or actions. Need proof? Just look around you.
I like the brevity of the book and the ideas contained therein. Too often writers will make books longer simply for the sake of padding out their writing, without really adding any additional substance. This book is lean and driven. There are plenty of great ideas; just open the book at any chapter and apply. It's that simple and that great.
July 20, 2016
I have no idea who the author is or what he achieved, but I do like reading this kinds of books every now and again to see if I can find new information and just continue bettering myself. Because why not right?
This book is very, very aggressively written, at least that it what I felt like to me.
There are some. Good ideas in here, but overall the entire tone of the books is much too pushy and "do its, right now! I told you to go, go, go, go!!!!!!"
Which I know is the only thing that works with some people.
But that does not work for me.
But if you are someone that really needs someone to forcefully push you into doing something, trying something, finally doing what you always wanted to do? This book is perfect!
If you want something a bit less forceful, maybe don't go into this expecting to learn a whole lot.
Not saying don't give it a try, since there are some good ideas!
I loved that the author really is a firm believer of being who you are and not trying to follow in others footsteps or imitate someone simply because they managed to accomplish something. He really pushes the concept that you will only be successful if you are being yourself and that was fantastic to see.
So all in all?
Good idea, bit to forceful in the tone for me personally but a still helpful book.
*thanks to NetGalley for giving me a free ecopy in exchange for a free and honest review*
This book is very, very aggressively written, at least that it what I felt like to me.
There are some. Good ideas in here, but overall the entire tone of the books is much too pushy and "do its, right now! I told you to go, go, go, go!!!!!!"
Which I know is the only thing that works with some people.
But that does not work for me.
But if you are someone that really needs someone to forcefully push you into doing something, trying something, finally doing what you always wanted to do? This book is perfect!
If you want something a bit less forceful, maybe don't go into this expecting to learn a whole lot.
Not saying don't give it a try, since there are some good ideas!
I loved that the author really is a firm believer of being who you are and not trying to follow in others footsteps or imitate someone simply because they managed to accomplish something. He really pushes the concept that you will only be successful if you are being yourself and that was fantastic to see.
So all in all?
Good idea, bit to forceful in the tone for me personally but a still helpful book.
*thanks to NetGalley for giving me a free ecopy in exchange for a free and honest review*
September 26, 2015
I received this book as a first read. It was funny, pragmatic, and no-nonsense. It's a great inspirational read that made me fired up about starting a business. Hayzlett is a very motivational writer. I enjoyed the anecdotal case study examples. I also loved the down to earth style of writing that didn't get bogged down in jargon. The book encourages both people and businesses to stay true to themselves and forge their own path. Hayzlett is humble enough to laugh at himself and mistakes he's made over the years. The book is a great reminder to learn from failures, learn what you don't know, ask questions, and treat people right. I also liked the format of the book with various highlights in each chapter and a review of key points at the end of each chapter. He offers a lot of good tips for creating an identity true to who you are, managing employees, marketing, and thinking outside the box.This is an inspiring read for both business people and those interested in self-improvement.
May 8, 2016
Jeffrey Hayzlett is always making me stretch myself further in business and push myself to think originally, both through his writing, his social media content, his talks and his friendship.
A key thing that I've learned from him, and that he talks about loud and clear in this book is, "Don't just accept what someone tells you, no matter how much more accomplished (or less) they may be." Dig deep to understand the concept and then apply it to your own unique self and circumstances. Or, to put it more succinctly... Be you, not me!
That's what his latest book, Think Big, Act Bigger is all about, and I highly recommend it. The lessons Jeffrey imparts here are told through stories and idioms that are distinctly his own, making the book and engaging, fun and easy read. But I found myself taking my time with it, simple to savor and digest what he was challenging me, the reader, to do.
A key thing that I've learned from him, and that he talks about loud and clear in this book is, "Don't just accept what someone tells you, no matter how much more accomplished (or less) they may be." Dig deep to understand the concept and then apply it to your own unique self and circumstances. Or, to put it more succinctly... Be you, not me!
That's what his latest book, Think Big, Act Bigger is all about, and I highly recommend it. The lessons Jeffrey imparts here are told through stories and idioms that are distinctly his own, making the book and engaging, fun and easy read. But I found myself taking my time with it, simple to savor and digest what he was challenging me, the reader, to do.
September 18, 2020
This is my "Number One Must Read Book" for entrepreneurs. Especially in the startup space. In fact, I won't mentor anyone that has not read it.
The examples in this book are solid gold. Life's lessons from someone that is making a difference in the world. Like most people named "Jeff" this man is driven.
I have listened more than one hundred times to at least one hour segments. Both awake and asleep as I use Audible to que it up for an hour each night as I go to bed.
Need to make something happen? Buy this book. Then read it. Today.
P.S. If you don't, you no longer have any excuses for your lack of progress.
P.P.S. For me, listening counts as much as "reading" and I use the term reading for both.
The examples in this book are solid gold. Life's lessons from someone that is making a difference in the world. Like most people named "Jeff" this man is driven.
I have listened more than one hundred times to at least one hour segments. Both awake and asleep as I use Audible to que it up for an hour each night as I go to bed.
Need to make something happen? Buy this book. Then read it. Today.
P.S. If you don't, you no longer have any excuses for your lack of progress.
P.P.S. For me, listening counts as much as "reading" and I use the term reading for both.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews