We are operating in a world defined by constant connection, rapid change, and abundant choices. News that once took months, even years, to spread now reaches across the globe in seconds. Advances in medicine and science are pushing boundaries with gene therapy and stem cell transplants. And decisions about where and how to work and live are nearly endless.
As new knowledge—and the possibilities that arise from that knowledge—propels us forward, leadership readiness expert and renowned author Erika Andersen suggests that success in today’s world requires the ability to acquire new knowledge and skills quickly and continuously—in spite of our mixed feelings about being a novice.
In her newest book, Be Bad First, Erika explores how we can become masters of mastery; proficient in the kind of high-payoff learning that’s needed today. With assessments and exercises at the close of every chapter, she encourages readers to embrace being bad on the way to being great—to be novices over and over again as we seek to learn and acquire the new skills that will allow us to thrive in this fast-changing world.
Erika Andersen is the founding partner of Proteus, a coaching, consulting, and training firm that focuses on leader readiness. For almost forty years, Erika has developed a reputation for creating approaches to learning and business-building that are tailored to her clients’ challenges, goals, and culture.
She and her colleagues at Proteus focus uniquely on helping leaders at all levels get ready and stay ready to meet whatever the future might bring. Much of her recent work has focused on organizational visioning and strategy, executive coaching, and management and leadership development. In these capacities she serves as consultant and adviser to the CEOs and/or top executives of a number of corporations, including Spotify, Facebook, Spectrum, Novartis, Revolt Media, and CBS Sports.
Erika shares her insights about creating and leading successful businesses by speaking to corporations, nonprofit groups, and associations. Her books and learning guides have been translated into Spanish, Turkish, German, French, Russian, and Chinese, and she has contributed to and been quoted in a variety of national publications, including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and the New York Times.
Erika is also a popular leadership contributor at Forbes.com. In addition to Change from the Inside Out, she is the author of Be Bad First— Get Good at Things FAST to Stay Ready for the Future; Leading So People Will Follow; Being Strategic: Plan for Success; Outthink Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change; and Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers. Finally, Erika is the author and host of the Proteus Leader Show, a regular podcast that offers quick, practical support for managers and leaders.
If there's one thing we hear consistently from voices in the business world today, it's that change is the only constant going forward. That means the only way to stay viable within virtually any market or profession is to adapt, evolve, and learn constantly. But saying these things and doing them are two wildly different propositions.
Erika Andersen provides some much-needed practical guidance for pursuing success in this rapid-innovation environment. Be Bad First is about preparing yourself to learn new things despite the deep antipathy most of us feel toward the novice state that accompanies acquiring new skills or knowledge. In other words, we hate to get good at things because it requires being bad first, and that means being embarrassed, judged by others, shown to be less knowledgeable than we'd have others believe, etc.
Except, maybe not. Andersen points out that these are certainly things we tell ourselves, but that in reality people are more likely to respect those willing to acquire new skills, and to regard them as confident, than they are to dismiss or mock them. Regardless of how others react, however, the main point of this book is that we need to adjust our own expectations and perspective in order to adopt a posture of rapid and sustained agility.
The means to this end is a fourfold path consisting of aspiration, neutral self-awareness, endless curiosity, and willingness to be bad first (which Andersen parlays into an infuriating acronym—ANEW). We have to really want to learn a new skill to be able to pursue it; we must be clear about our own abilities and shortcomings; we need to activate our own curiosity; and we have to come to terms with the fact that we'll be bad at first, but that with sustained effort we'll get better and that it will all pay off in the end.
Andersen is a corporate leadership coach, and so some of her advice is a little hokey. For instance, she characterizes what is largely just self-awareness as "self-talk" and uses phrases like "the self-talk of self-belief" to inspire her readers. If you can look past the power of positive thinking vibe, her principles are pretty sound. However, she does veer dangerously close to magical thinking at times, though without ever crossing the line entirely.
A number of helpful exercises guide readers through each of the principles, and the story of the artist Michelangelo is woven through the text as an example of how a constant attitude of learning and willingness to be a beginner many times over can translate into great gains. The ideas in this book aren't groundbreaking, really, but Andersen has a knack for presenting them as if they are, and for showing readers how their own ideas about their ability to acquire new skills is holding them back. A good book for any type of learner, but especially for entrepreneurs and professionals.
I probably shouldn't say this (it's like saying that you like one of your children better than another), but this is my favorite book I've written so far. See what you think...
I sandwiched this business self-help book between a couple novels because I needed to read it for work, but it really was a nice change of pace. Ok, let's clarify, I didn't really "need" to read it for work. I voluntarily signed up for the "Reader Leaders" group because I like reading and it's a good excuse to: 1.) get a book from work, 2.) have an excuse to be reading a book at work (even though I read this entirely on a Saturday and Sunday - oh well), and 3.) it allows me to spend an hour at work talking about a book with people that I don't usually work with directly, so a break from drafting contracts and see some different people - whee!
I've read a bunch of different management / workplace skills books, many of them for Reader Leaders over the years, and this was better than most. It kept moving, made a concrete number of points, and seemed to be leading to a process for expanding our skills. Her four steps (ANEW) in achieving this goal of having readers be essentially ready, willing and able to take on learning new skills make sense and seem implementable. I think it could be really simplified into being open and honest with ourselves that there are things in the world that we can still learn (that we're not already experts at), that there are reasons / motivations that we'd want to learn them, to be honest with ourselves about where our current weaknesses lie, and that in the process of learning, we won't get everything perfect the first time we try, so we need to be patient and humble as we stumble towards competence and possibly eventual mastery. I like these concepts.
The author uses the example of Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel throughout each chapter, as he was initially reluctant to take that project, needed to develop new skills, but was able to muster the enthusiasm and skills needed to do a bang-up job. Actually, some of the quotes from Michelangelo make him pretty much the ideal subject for this topic, so that was cool. I wish we'd had some more "famous" or at least known examples, as most of the rest of her examples were from clients or hypothetical situations. And, because I'd just seen a trailer for the new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie, for which Michelangelo is a main turtle character, I kept hearing the music from that trailer in my head. That sounds like a me problem rather than a defect of the book though. The reference to "Stranger in a Strange Land" also sent me down a mental tangent. Not because her reference to the Fair Witness concept wasn't apt - it was. Rather the reference to Robert Heinlein brings so much sexist baggage, I went down into a spiral of thinking about super-annoying and dated sci-fi writers I have read (Philip K. Dick, don't think you're getting off Scot free here either). Well, it was an interesting little break from this subject matter. Back to the book.
In a self-assessment, I think my greatest strength coming into this type of self-improvement is "Endless Curiosity" as I do want to dig into and figure out so many things, things that other people find boring and useless. Exhibit A, I signed up for Leader Readers and read this book on my weekend by choice, and I'd do it again (well, not this book, but you get the point). I don't need to preach to the Goodreads choir that people who making reading a big part of their lives are more curious than the mass of humanity who gets all of their information from some other person or device, pre-digested, no original thought required. My biggest challenge is "Neutral Self-Awareness" which (ironically, because I'm obviously aware of it), I do think I'm better at things than other people do. That is something that I can work on. If I didn't have things to work on, and new things to learn, then what really is the point?
Overall, pretty good book. I little repetitive on the main points, but I think the author took a class on presentation (same class I took maybe) that said that audiences need repetition for things to sink in. To which I say, well, MOST audiences. I took a class recently where the instructor stated as fact that "no-one can multi-task" and "people are incapable of using the same parts of their brains for two tasks simultaneous." I raised my hand and mentioned: "Did you know, President Garfield could right in Greek with one hand and Latin in the other at the same time?" I don't like over-generalizations, or smug advice, but this book was decent.
Learning is an intrinsic part of life's journey, an invitation for improvement that enriches our experiences and broadens our horizons. Erika Andersen's "Be Bad First" eloquently encapsulates this sentiment, urging readers to embrace the fearless pursuit of knowledge and skill enhancement.
Andersen adeptly navigates the psychological barriers that often block our willingness to learn. She dismantles the misconception that proficiency in one area should impede exploration and growth in others. Instead, she advocates for a mindset that welcomes curiosity and inquiry, free from the shackles of self-consciousness or fear of failure.
At the heart of Andersen's message lies the recognition that the journey to mastery necessitates going through moments of incompetence. She reassures readers that it's perfectly acceptable, even imperative, to be 'bad' at something initially. This acknowledgment liberates individuals from the paralyzing grip of perfectionism, fostering an environment to genuine learning and development.
Drawing inspiration from historical figures like Michelangelo, Andersen illustrates the transformative power of embracing one's learning curve. Michelangelo's unwavering commitment to improvement, coupled with his humility in acknowledging his ongoing education, serves as a compelling testament to the efficacy of Andersen's ANEW method.
"Be Bad First" is a beacon of encouragement for anyone hesitant to embark on a new learning journey. It's a reminder that proficiency is not an innate trait but a product of perseverance and dedication. Andersen's narrative is as captivating as it is enlightening, making it a book that's difficult to put down. Ultimately, it's a call for readers to shed their inhibitions, embrace their vulnerabilities, and boldly pursue the path to personal and professional excellence.
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and failing short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” - Michelangelo
Encouraging and practical guide to staying adaptable in a world that changes faster than most of us can keep up with. The book's core idea — that you have to be willing to be “bad” at something before you can get good at it — sounds simple, but she breaks it down into a thoughtful, repeatable approach for learning new skills as an adult. The book is especially relevant for anyone who feels stuck in their habits, or who’s stepping into unfamiliar territory at work and needs a mindset shift.
I gave 4 out of 5 stars because parts of it feel a bit stretched, and many of the concepts could have been delivered in a slightly shorter format without losing any value. Some readers who are already familiar with growth mindset or other modern leadership development books may find parts of the message familiar or predictable.
That said, the takeaway is strong: if you want to stay relevant, creative, and open to opportunity, you have to be willing to start as a beginner again and again. It is a helpful reminder that learning isn’t something we finish — it’s something we need to continually choose in today's world.
I really like books that are light but still tells or teaches you a lot of things. I feel that this book is one of that kind. This book gave great tips on learning new things with relevant examples that are quite easy to understand. Good pacing, and also very relaxed to read. But somehow in some parts of the chapter an especially towards the end, I just felt that the book is too spacey, and not giving me a strong enough ending. After all, it worth reading, and I recommend people who find it hard to learn new things to read this book as an alternative way on how to do their learning journey.
First received this book in 2016 from the author herself at a next gen conference. Started to read and just couldn't get into the book. Now trying to read books on my shelf, my goal was probably more to finish the book than to actually do the exercises. However, there are good points about staying endlessly be curious, being neutrally self-aware, and, of course, willingness to be bad. I would probably wait to read this book when you're wanting to learn something (meaningful) but haven't... reading it just to read it, the lessons don't hit home as well
Interesting! Very effectively identified a lot of bad mental habits I know I'm guilty of, and some good habits too. Definitely applicable to anyone, in any setting (professional or not)
Erika Anderson proposes that the ability to learn well and quickly is the most important skill to have. Unfortunately, not knowing something feels so… bad. This is because we like the familiar and don’t like going back to a novice state. Given how uncomfortable learning can feel, how can we overcome our resistance so that we can reach our goals?
Anderson proposes a four-step model for effective learning, which follows the acronym A.N.E.W.:
-Aspiration: We are motivated to learn some things more than others. For those things that motivate us less, we need to figure out how acquiring the new capability will benefit us (WIFM – What’s in it for me). In addition, we need to envision a future where we reap those benefits. Without these two exercises, we may miss the motivation we need to persevere when the learning gets tough.
-Neutral Self-Awareness: To learn effectively, we need to 1) be accurate about where we’re starting from; 2) observe our progress neutrally and 3) manage our negative self-talk.
-Endless Curiosity: We can build on our natural curiosity by finding our curiosity sparks, fanning our curiosity flames (with positive self-talk and easy actions) and by feeding the fire of curiosity daily.
-Willingness to be Bad First: We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Although we dislike going back to a novice state, it is the best way to learn and grow. This requires us to simultaneously acknowledge weakness and be confident: “I’m bad, but I’ll get better. I’ll work at this.”
The goal of Be Bad First is help you become a better learner, especially for things that you are less motivated to learn. Once you identify something new and challenging that you want to learn, I encourage you to try to plan your learning using the ANEW model. There are worksheets on Erika’s website that can help you do just that: https://www.proteusleader.com/topics/...
If I could assign a required reading book to my staff, colleagues, family, and friends -- this book would be it.
In this day and age of constant change we can only remain informed, educated, relevant, and ready if we are able to learn and grow and apply those new skills -- and do it quickly. This book covers the steps needed to do these things and I recommend it highly! The author of this book was the keynote at my annual conference this summer and I was inspired by her presentation and by the process described in this book, her websites, and blog.
For those of you who know me, I do not buy many books -- being a librarian, I don't often need to, but this one is a must have for my shelf. I expect to refer to it regularly throughout my life. Join me in being bad first!
This was recommended by a colleague. I guess there is good info here if you need it. However, I gobble up information and love to learn new things and really don't need a book to encourage me to do so. I'm sure there are people out there that would benefit from this, but the whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking, "Duh. I do this already. Who doesn't?!"
I read this for a business book club at work. It was really fitting for me, as I've recently reentered the work force. To get really good at something, you basically have to be bad at it first. And that's ok! Really motivating and encouraging.
The understatement of the century...no really she's right. To be good or even great you have to allow yourself to be bad first...an intriguing read if you haven't done so already. Erika takes you through the process one step at a time, and believe me that's helpful indeed.