Winning Ways: Four Secrets for Getting Great Results by Working Well with People

by Dick Lyles

In the bestselling tradition of Who Moved My Cheese? and The One Minute Manager , this smart little book, written as a business parable, tells the story of a young man who is sent from the corporate ladder to the football field to learn a lesson in team playing from one person who knows how to win - a college football coach.

Genres: Business

Paperback

First published February 7, 2000

Reviews

[Geeky PBnJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winning Ways: 4 Secrets for Getting Great Results by Working Well with People is a modern-day parable from the author of Who Moved My Cheese, Dick Lyles.

The central character, Albert, is a young up-and-coming corporate employee that is struggling with the idea that he, though intelligent and focused, has room for improvement when it comes to working with his teammates and business partners. He encounters problems when he's asked to work with a team on a project and he takes it personally, to the point of blowing up in a meeting, when people do not immediately buy into his method of running the project.

His struggle is one I believe a lot of people have dealt with at one point or another in their office life.  He has the typical, and understandable, thoughts of someone that is not use to a collaborative working environment.

"Why couldn't they just tell people what was needed, pvy up the work, and then let them go do it?  No, that's be too easy..."

"Why couldn't they just put their egos aside and listen, even just a little?... It's the ideas that matter, not me."

I found Winning Ways to have a solid message about how people in today's corporate world cannot get as far as they'd think, or like, by working in silos and disregarding what those around them can offer.

Much like Who Moved My Cheese, the story is contrived, but well paced and delivers its message with a simple and clear voice I think most everyone could find understandable.

The narrative is fair for a fictional approach to the topic, making it a book that is amiable to a broad audience.  The ending is a bit soft and squishy but considering the purpose of the book I wasn't expecting some blockbuster plot devices.

My take-away quote: "Blame is the biggest obstacle to effective problem solving there is."

[Julie Ousley]

Suggestions to keep in mind when working with others. The sappy cover story surrounding the information was a bit much.

[Mtbike40 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was listed on a reading list for the business competency of building strategic work relationships. I felt that the book provided principles that would assist one in developing stronger relationships with groups and individuals. The challenge with the book is that there is so much time spent building up the storyline of the parable that you get just the basics of the key actions to build the competency. The book is a quick read so it is worth while and reinforces what is found in many of the other literature sources.

[Katy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book had a good message but it could have been finished in 4 pages because it didn't have very much depth. More examples from different industries would have been nice, also how to over come obstacles that got in the way of achieving a "winning way". Parts of the book felt like a reading a very bad play.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a requirement for a class that I am taking. It is very short and easy to read. The principles of the book are clearly outlined. And while it is no great work of art, the point is made clearly and succinctly, and the principles taught are good for everyone to know.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little contrived, but a nice set of guidelines for business etiquette.