Hidden Truths: What Leaders Need to Hear But Are Rarely Told

by David Fubini

Complete your leadership toolkit with this inside look at high-level, executive positions Hidden What Leaders Need to Hear But Are Rarely Told delivers profound and rarely discussed insights about C-suite jobs that provide aspiring leaders with practical, new skills that will equip them for the immense challenges of their desired jobs. Through 14 illuminating chapters, accomplished Harvard Business School faculty member and former Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company sets out the essential habits that help leaders create success, time and time again. You'll Perfect for managers, executives, and other business leaders with an eye on the C-suite, Hidden Truths also belongs on the bookshelves of people who already find themselves in a C-level position and wish to learn how to better manage the stresses and challenges of the job.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 2020

Reviews

[Bec’s Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like: The Great Courses, The Teaching Company, Josh Kaufmann, Brian Tracy
If you’re in the mood for: nonfiction, business, leadership, motivational
My reading format: Audiobook (thanks NetGalley)

I thought this book was really interesting and I definitely picked up a few nuggets of information while listening to it. I am not a CEO yet, but an aspiring one and I found the case studies relevant and informative. It was a book skilfully broken down into chapters and I liked that it was written by a Harvard Business School lecturer who has also spent time as Managing Director.

I would recommend this book to anyone who might think of becoming a CEO, it gives a little bit of a behind this scenes look and is actually different than what I was expecting. TBH, after listening to this book, I’m not so sure I want to be a CEO eventually anymore!

All in all, I’d give this book 4 stars. It had me engrossed, it was what it promised and I got some insight as well. I listened to this over about 3.5 hours (at 2.1x) while doing chores and enjoyed it.

[Charles Krouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title of this book is somewhat deceptive. I thought that the book was going to be general advice for leaders, however, “Hidden Truths” is primarily targeted towards CEOs. The author, David Fubini, describes the skills that CEOs need in order to be successful, and he provides examples exclusively using CEOs. There is a lot of name-dropping that gets irritating and comes off as elitist. Overall, I thought that this was a good book if you are interested in learning more about the CEO role. However, I think it is a niche book. “Hidden Truths” is mainly applicable to CEOs, and I think that most people will find it boring. At one point, the author says that retired CEOs generally do not make good authors, because the general public is not interested in old war stories. I might argue that “Hidden Truths” falls into this category. Although the book provides some interesting insights, it sounds like a retired executive who is reflecting on his past successes, trying to draw conclusions and advice, and doing a lot of name-dropping in the process.

[Abigale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely geared towards current and future business leaders and I am neither! I was able to listen to this audiobook from Netgalley and was excited for the opportunity for some professional development as I often find myself in leadership situations. This book had interesting stories, solid easy to follow advice, but not very engaging for a non professional. I gave the book 4 stars because he gave exactly what he promised, I just wasn’t the right audience.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid lessons for senior leaders. This book really is targeted at CEOs which I knew going into it so only some of it was relevant to someone in a leadership position in a large corporation. Regardless, Fubini is one of my favorite HBS professors and I liked learning what I did. Good lessons about planning for the future, not staying longer than you should, being authentic, listening more than talking, etc.

[Paiman Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The truth may hurt, but it hurts even more when we make decisions based on misleading versions of the truth.

[Taher Bellah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice from a great professor.