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Deliver.: The untaught lessons to growth hack your career
Deliver. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means “to produce the promised, desired, or expected result.” In business, there is no better honor than to be relied upon to consistently deliver. The ability to deliver matters for all levels, from a new graduate to a seasoned executive. The core competencies required to deliver build on top of each other, rooted in the foundational skills to be a great individual contributor. Surprisingly, most skills are not directly taught in formal education or at the workplace.
This book introduces and teaches proven, easy-to-follow techniques for a person to deliver as an individual contributor, a collaborator, and a leader. Techniques that I picked up over a 20+ year career filled with epic failures and heart-pumping successes. After losing millions of dollars in my own venture in China, I was forced to reset my career with no tangible assets (e.g., I was near broke), with no job leads (e.g., I moved to a new country to be with my family), and with no proven corporate record (e.g., I only had entry level roles to that point).
Yet, what I did have were untaught lessons on how to deliver. Lessons that were never articulated to me in school or the self-help books that I read so much of. When an entry level opportunity at Uber came along, these simple techniques allowed me to “growth hack” my career at a mind boggling pace. I went from sitting in a tiny rented office to managing thousands of people in less than a few years.
Deliver. is a structured set of learnings told through engaging stories from my experiences and from the voices of others. The lessons follow the concept of inside-out. The focus is on how to develop the self into a great individual contributor at work, through lessons on how to think in a structured manner, how to communicate, and how to manage one’s emotions. The lessons then expand outwards to teach a person how to build and manage relationships, both as a stakeholder and as a manager. It ends with insights on how to become a great leader.
Using relatable topics such as Marie Kondo’s methods of tidying-up to business lessons from an entrepreneur selling contact lenses for chickens to leadership lessons from the Navy SEALS, Deliver. draws examples from various disciplines to weave together a practical, memorable lesson plan. While the theory is important, the aim is to offer practical techniques to learn the underlying business and leadership principles. There is even a new term I coined for a technique that has been used for years at Uber.
My dream for this book is to impart actionable advice for millions that can help growth hack a person’s career, regardless if they are new to the corporate world or if they are well seasoned.
This book introduces and teaches proven, easy-to-follow techniques for a person to deliver as an individual contributor, a collaborator, and a leader. Techniques that I picked up over a 20+ year career filled with epic failures and heart-pumping successes. After losing millions of dollars in my own venture in China, I was forced to reset my career with no tangible assets (e.g., I was near broke), with no job leads (e.g., I moved to a new country to be with my family), and with no proven corporate record (e.g., I only had entry level roles to that point).
Yet, what I did have were untaught lessons on how to deliver. Lessons that were never articulated to me in school or the self-help books that I read so much of. When an entry level opportunity at Uber came along, these simple techniques allowed me to “growth hack” my career at a mind boggling pace. I went from sitting in a tiny rented office to managing thousands of people in less than a few years.
Deliver. is a structured set of learnings told through engaging stories from my experiences and from the voices of others. The lessons follow the concept of inside-out. The focus is on how to develop the self into a great individual contributor at work, through lessons on how to think in a structured manner, how to communicate, and how to manage one’s emotions. The lessons then expand outwards to teach a person how to build and manage relationships, both as a stakeholder and as a manager. It ends with insights on how to become a great leader.
Using relatable topics such as Marie Kondo’s methods of tidying-up to business lessons from an entrepreneur selling contact lenses for chickens to leadership lessons from the Navy SEALS, Deliver. draws examples from various disciplines to weave together a practical, memorable lesson plan. While the theory is important, the aim is to offer practical techniques to learn the underlying business and leadership principles. There is even a new term I coined for a technique that has been used for years at Uber.
My dream for this book is to impart actionable advice for millions that can help growth hack a person’s career, regardless if they are new to the corporate world or if they are well seasoned.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Wen-Szu Lin
2 books7 followersAfter losing millions of dollars in his thirties, Wen-Szu was forced to reset his career in a foreign country with no tangible assets, no job leads, and no proven corporate record. What he did have were untaught lessons on how to deliver, which Wen-Szu teaches in his latest book "Deliver. The untaught lessons to growth hack your career."
Wen-Szu Lin is a Senior Director of Community Operations at Uber Technologies. Over the past seven years, Wen-Szu built, grew, and managed teams of thousands across Australia, New Zealand, India, North Asia, Southeast Asia (now part of Grab), and China (now part of Didi).
Before Uber, Wen-Szu was the China Master Franchisee for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, opening 12 stores across 5 cities. The daunting and ultimately unsuccessful experience of launching an American concept in China was documented in Wen-Szu’s first book, The China Twist. Wen-Szu’s other professional experiences include being a management consultant, an engineer, and a short stint as a noodle chef.
Wen-Szu holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Wen-Szu Lin is a Senior Director of Community Operations at Uber Technologies. Over the past seven years, Wen-Szu built, grew, and managed teams of thousands across Australia, New Zealand, India, North Asia, Southeast Asia (now part of Grab), and China (now part of Didi).
Before Uber, Wen-Szu was the China Master Franchisee for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, opening 12 stores across 5 cities. The daunting and ultimately unsuccessful experience of launching an American concept in China was documented in Wen-Szu’s first book, The China Twist. Wen-Szu’s other professional experiences include being a management consultant, an engineer, and a short stint as a noodle chef.
Wen-Szu holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 27, 2022
Part memoir and part career development book, Deliver. is a refreshing take at what it requires to be a great performer and leader in the corporate world. Wen-Szu shares career lessons, which are culled from his breadth of experience, through some principles.
Wen-Szu, who holds an MBA from Wharton and an MS in Engineering from Georgia Tech, has ventured into his own businesses before (this NPR story tells more about it). His education and experience are enough for me to trust what he shares here.
Packed with unique and unparalleled lessons in leadership, this is recommended for folks out there who want to succeed in the cutthroat corporate world. It helps one adopt the correct mindset in order to work smarter.
Disclosure: I created the e-book version of Deliver., but I’m talking about it because I learned a lot from it and not because I worked for Wen-Szu.
Wen-Szu, who holds an MBA from Wharton and an MS in Engineering from Georgia Tech, has ventured into his own businesses before (this NPR story tells more about it). His education and experience are enough for me to trust what he shares here.
Packed with unique and unparalleled lessons in leadership, this is recommended for folks out there who want to succeed in the cutthroat corporate world. It helps one adopt the correct mindset in order to work smarter.
Disclosure: I created the e-book version of Deliver., but I’m talking about it because I learned a lot from it and not because I worked for Wen-Szu.
March 23, 2022
The best personal investment made this year!
This book gives the gist of years & years of learnings in the form of untaught lessons. If one can apply even just 10% of what’s in this book, they would see visible personal and professional growth by the day. There are subtle aspects in our professional life that are often ignored, not spoken of, or even not popularly considered as concerns one can have as a professional - yet we all wonder at some point of our career about how to navigate through those aspects. It is amusing how this book addresses all such subtle aspects and shows us how to navigate with real life examples provided to ease application. Definitely, highly valuable "untaught lessons".
This book gives the gist of years & years of learnings in the form of untaught lessons. If one can apply even just 10% of what’s in this book, they would see visible personal and professional growth by the day. There are subtle aspects in our professional life that are often ignored, not spoken of, or even not popularly considered as concerns one can have as a professional - yet we all wonder at some point of our career about how to navigate through those aspects. It is amusing how this book addresses all such subtle aspects and shows us how to navigate with real life examples provided to ease application. Definitely, highly valuable "untaught lessons".
March 22, 2022
In my many years working in the corporate world, I have never once finished reading any self-help book because I stop when the tone of the book gets preachy or dragging or worse-- boring. This book is an exemption. It is structured in a way which is easy to digest and gets you to think "why wasn't this book available many years back when I was still starting my career!?". The good news is, it is available NOW!..and it is never too late to learn all the many useful lessons and tips and tricks it has to offer!
March 21, 2022
I must have read at least 100+ books of various authors in the past, but this is one book which gives perspectives hard to find on any platform and in that too in a Single book. These are life’s untaught lessons which would propel your career to the next levels and are thoughts of penultimate wisdom. I would absolutely recommend this for professionals and students at any stage of their careers. Go grab your copy!
March 23, 2022
This book is truly a gem. It is rooted to the ground and offers practical advice and learning on how to "deliver" on your corporate and life journey by following design thinking based structuural approach.
These are not taught anywhere, not in schools, B schools and even in job training. People learn it the hard way, this book solves that and truly prepare you for your corporate life in the best way possible.
A must read!!
These are not taught anywhere, not in schools, B schools and even in job training. People learn it the hard way, this book solves that and truly prepare you for your corporate life in the best way possible.
A must read!!
March 21, 2022
"Deliver" is a nifty anthology of the key skills and tools one needs to be successful at work. It's a delightfully written book and brings concepts and lessons to life through a myriad of relatable, interesting and occasionally hilarious anecdotes! For me, "Deliver" truly delivered and is a must read for anyone embarking on or early in their corporate journey.
March 23, 2022
The author gives really solid advice based on his own personal career journey. He does so with humor and humility. This is a must read for anyone whether you are leading a team or an individual performer. Learning how to collaborate, tell a compeling business argument and to work on a team are critical to anyone in the business worlds success. Buy this book for your teams!
March 24, 2022
Great practical advice for anyone trying to do their best work in the corporate world. The author is humble, funny and observant. This is a hugely positive departure from many business books. It offers specific examples of how the author learned lessons, sometimes the hard way, and shows how your work is an extension of your full life. Highly recommend!
March 24, 2022
I've not been a big fan of books but mostly videos. This was a book I came across that changed my life. Played a massive role in transforming myself at my workplace and beyond.
Definitely, one to read if you are looking forward to excelling at work and being a better person.
Definitely, one to read if you are looking forward to excelling at work and being a better person.
April 28, 2022
Wen Szu’s latest book is full of great stories and lessons for everyone derived from his personal experiences as an consultant, entrepreneur and senior leader of growth companies. I recommend folks to read this book and find ways to implement these lessons in their lives.
March 21, 2022
A must-buy. Easy to read, relatable and practical. After reading the book, I immediately put into action some of his tips and hacks. It definitely works. Will be reading it a second time around.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews