Okay, so today we're looking at The Diary of a CEO, The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Stephen Bartlett. Yeah, published just last year in 2023. And it's already making waves, like over 9,000 ratings on Goodreads.
Wow. Averaging 4.18 stars, which is pretty impressive. Yeah, that's a pretty solid start.
So we've got the book right here, and we've been going through some reviews and really taking notes. Absolutely. Trying to pull out, like, what are the big takeaways? What are the things that we should be paying attention to? Yeah, and I think, you know, what's fascinating is just how quickly this book has sort of, you know, resonated with people.
You know, Bartlett has this really interesting background, right? I mean, founding social chain at such a young age. And then, of course, his podcast, The Diary of a CEO, is like hugely popular. So he's built this really dedicated audience.
And this book, it feels like a very natural extension of all of that. You know, it's drawing on his own experiences as an entrepreneur, all those conversations he's had with other leaders. Yeah, and it's written in such a direct and concise way.
Yeah, it's very straightforward. It's not, you know, super fluffy or theoretical. No, it's very actionable.
Very practical. Yeah, and the core argument is really compelling, I think, like this idea that your personal growth and your professional success aren't separate things. They're totally intertwined.
Yeah, he really emphasizes that connection. And he kind of structures it around these four pillars. The self, the story, the philosophy, and the team.
Yeah, and then there's the 33 laws that he kind of layers on top of that, which he says are based on, you know, psychological and scientific principles. Yeah, so it gives it that practical, like evidence-based feel. Definitely.
Yeah. It's not just, you know, his opinions. It's like he's trying to ground it in something a little bit more concrete.
So one of the things that I found really interesting, and I think it's one of the reasons why the book is resonating so much, is he really challenges some of the traditional ideas about leadership. Right. Like he really emphasizes vulnerability.
Oh. The need to always be learning and evolving. Right.
And like the absolute importance of human connection and relationships. Yeah, those are really key themes, I think, that run throughout the book. So let's maybe start with this idea of authentic leadership.
Okay. Because it seems to be really central to his approach. So the book makes this really strong argument for leaders to embrace vulnerability and authenticity.
Yeah. Like it's almost a direct challenge to that old image of the leader as like perfect and always in control. Right.
Always has all the answers. Never makes mistakes. Yeah, exactly.
But his argument is that by showing your genuine self, including your imperfections, you actually build more trust with your team. Yeah. It might seem a little counterintuitive.
Right. But he's saying that when you're open and vulnerable, it creates a safer environment. Yeah.
Where people feel more comfortable being themselves. Yeah. And think about it.
Like when a leader admits they made a mistake. Yeah. It gives other people permission to do the same without being afraid of getting punished or something.
Exactly. And he really frames vulnerability as a strength. Right.
Not as a weakness. Totally. Like admitting when you're wrong, showing empathy.
These are courageous acts that make leaders more relatable and more human. Yeah. And the benefits that he talks about are huge.
Right. Increased employee engagement, better team collaboration because people feel like they can be honest. Yeah.
More effective problem solving because issues come to light more quickly. And then ultimately a more resilient organization. Right.
Yeah. And there's that quote that I think really sums it up. True leadership is not about projecting an image of perfection, but about being real, flawed and human.
And it's so true. If you think about how leadership has evolved, it's moved away from that kind of top-down authoritarian model. Right.
Command and control. Yeah. And now people respond so much better to leaders that they can connect with on a human level to leaders who demonstrate empathy and understanding.
Yeah. It's about building those relationships. And I think this resonates especially with younger generations coming into the workforce.
Totally. They value that authenticity. They want to see the real you.
Yeah. And then another key theme that kind of goes hand in hand with this is the importance of mental health. Right.
Prioritizing mental well-being. Yeah. And he doesn't just kind of mention it in passing.
This is like a core part of his argument. It's fundamental to his whole approach to leadership. And it's really interesting because it makes you think, how often do we actually view mental health as a strategic asset in business? Yeah.
It's often seen as something separate. Right? Like a personal issue, not a business issue. Right.
But he's saying, no, a leader's mental and physical well-being directly impacts their ability to make good decisions. Right. To be creative, to maintain a high level of performance.
Think about the impact of a burnt-out leader. Yeah. Exactly.
Like on a team. It's not good. And he goes as far as to say, self-care isn't selfish.
Right. It's essential for success. It's essential for sustainability.
Yeah. And he really emphasizes things like regular exercise, mindfulness practices. Getting enough sleep.
Making sure you get enough sleep, eating well, setting boundaries. Yeah. All of those things are really important.
Between work and personal life. Yeah. It's about creating that balance.
And encouraging that same culture of well-being within your organization. Right. Making it okay for people to prioritize their well-being.
And there's another quote that I think really gets at this. He says, your mental health is not just a personal matter. It's a critical business asset.
Yeah. And I think that's a really powerful way to frame it. Right.
It's not just about you as an individual. It's about the success of the whole organization. It's about the sustainability of the organization.
So let's move on to company culture. Okay. Yeah.
Because this is another area where the book has some really interesting insights. Definitely. And he goes beyond just the kind of superficial perks.
Yeah. It's not just about ping pong tables and free snacks. Right.
Exactly. He's talking about creating an environment where people feel valued and motivated and connected to a shared purpose. Yeah.
And that's something that goes much deeper. It's more fundamental. It's about the values.
It's about the mission of the company. Yeah. He talks a lot about clearly defining your company's core values and then actually living by them.
Yeah. They can't just be words on a wall. They have to be integrated into everything you do.
Right. They have to be the guiding principles behind every decision. Every interaction.
Yeah. And he also talks about aligning your company's mission with the broader purpose that resonates with employees. Yeah.
People need to understand the why behind their work. Yeah. They need to feel like what they're doing matters.
And that it connects to something bigger than themselves. And when they do, that's when they get really engaged. Yeah.
That's when they're truly motivated. And there's a quote that I think sums this up really well. He says, culture isn't just about perks and ping pong tables.
It's about creating an environment where people feel valued, motivated, and aligned with a greater purpose. Yeah. That's a good one.
So it's not about trying to buy engagement with, you know, superficial benefits. Right. It's about creating that deeper sense of belonging and meaning.
It's about intrinsic motivation. Yeah. And that requires a lot of effort in terms of open communication opportunities for growth.
Recognizing and appreciating people's contributions. Yeah. Consistently.
Yeah. Not just once a year at the annual review. So now in today's world, you know, things are changing so rapidly that the ability to adapt is absolutely essential.
Yeah. It's no longer a nice to have. It's a must have.
And Bartlett dedicates a good chunk of the book to this. Yeah. Yeah.
He talks about the importance of being agile. Yeah. Of being able to pivot quickly when the market changes or new opportunities emerge.
And he talks about building that adaptability into your organization. Right. Like creating systems and processes that are flexible.
Having a culture of experimentation. Yeah. Where it's okay to try new things.
And being aware of emerging technologies and trends. Yeah. Staying ahead of the curve.
Yeah. And constantly improving and fostering innovation. Yeah.
And encouraging people to come up with new ideas. And he says, in today's fast-paced world, the ability to adapt is not just an advantage. It's a necessity for survival.
Yeah. It's a strong statement. And it really connects back to what we were talking about with continuous learning.
Right. Because you can't be adaptable if you're not constantly learning. You have to be willing to unlearn old things and relearn new things.
And that's a big part of his message throughout the book. Yeah. He's a huge advocate for personal growth and lifelong learning.
Right. He believes it's an ongoing journey. Especially for leaders.
Yeah. You have to stay curious. Seek out new perspectives.
Develop new skills. It can't be a one-time thing. It has to be continuous.
Yeah. It's a mindset. And he puts it really well.
He says, the moment you stop learning is the moment you stop leading. Yeah. That's a great quote.
And he suggests all these different strategies like setting learning goals, reading widely. Attending conferences. Seeking out feedback.
Taking on challenges. Yeah. Really pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
And he emphasizes the importance of diverse learning methods. Right. It's not just about formal education.
Yeah. It's about practical experience, mentorship. Challenging projects.
Finding people who can guide you. Yeah. And I think that's really valuable because it's not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Right. It's about finding what works for you. And then another really important aspect that he talks about is cultivating meaningful relationships.
Right. And this isn't just about networking. No.
It's about building genuine connections. Yeah. Based on mutual respect, shared interests, and a desire to help each other.
Yeah. It's about investing time and energy in getting to know people. Yeah.
And understanding them. And finding ways to add value to their lives. And he talks about balancing professional and personal relationships.
Right. Because strong personal connections provide support and perspective, which ultimately helps you in your professional life as well. And he says, success is not just about what you know, but who you know.
And more importantly, how you nurture those relationships. Yeah. So it's not just about collecting contacts.
Right. It's about cultivating those relationships over time. And that requires active listening empathy, a genuine desire to support others.
Yeah. Being present in those relationships. And then, you know, another really important area that he addresses is this balance between ambition and ethical conduct.
Right. And, you know, how do you achieve success in a way that aligns with your values? It's about doing well, but also doing good. Yeah.
And he argues that true success isn't just about money or power. Right. It's about making a positive impact on the world.
Yeah. And he stresses the importance of having strong ethical boundaries. Both in your business and your personal life.
Yeah. Being clear about what you stand for and what you won't stand for. And leading by example.
Right. Walking the talk. Showing through your actions that you're committed to ethical behavior.
And prioritizing integrity and reputation over short-term gains. Yeah. Because in the long run, that's what really matters.
That's what builds trust and respect. And he talks about things like transparent communication, fair treatment, social responsibility. Having the courage to say no to unethical business practices.
Even when it's tempting to say yes. Yeah. Even when there's a lot of money on the line.
And I think this is so important today. Yeah. Because stakeholders are demanding more transparency and ethical conduct.
They're holding companies accountable. And leaders who prioritize these values are the ones who are going to build sustainable and reputable organizations. In the long run.
Yeah. And then one of the most interesting parts of the book for me was his perspective on failure. Because he has this really constructive and encouraging view of failure.
He doesn't see it as a negative thing. Yeah. He reframes it as an essential part of the journey to success.
Right. It's a learning opportunity. And he encourages you to really analyze what went wrong.
Extract the lessons. Yeah. And apply that knowledge to future endeavors.
And he talks about creating a failure-tolerant culture. Yeah. Where people aren't afraid to take risks.
And where mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow. Right. Not as something to be punished.
And he says, failure is not the opposite of success. It's a crucial part of the journey towards it. Yeah.
It's a really powerful way to think about it. And he gives some practical strategies for learning from failure. Like doing post-mortem analyses.
Yeah. Sharing failure stories. Yeah.
Creating that open environment where people can talk about what went wrong. And rewarding innovative thinking. Yeah.
Because that often leads to mistakes, but also leads to breakthroughs. And then effective communication, obviously, is another cornerstone of leadership. Right.
It's not just about transmitting information. It's about truly connecting with people. Yeah.
And understanding them. And Bartlett emphasizes the importance of clarity conciseness. Compelling delivery.
Yeah. Tailoring your message to your audience. Ah.
Avoiding jargon. Keeping it simple. Yeah.
And he also talks about active listening. Right. Actually paying attention to what other people are saying.
Asking clarifying questions. Showing genuine interest. And he says, the art of communication is the language of leadership.
It's a good one. And he gives some practical tips. Like regular team meetings.
Using multiple communication channels. Being mindful of your body language. Yeah.
All those nonverbal cues. But the key takeaway is that it's about two-way communication. Right.
It's not just about you talking. It's about creating a dialogue. Yeah.
Where everyone feels heard and valued. And then finally the book delves into this idea of creating a compelling vision and inspiring others. Right.
Because that's what really motivates teams. It gives them something to strive for. Aligns their effort.
Creates that shared purpose. And Bartlett argues that a leader's role is to empower their team by articulating a vision and then delegating effectively. Giving people the autonomy and the resources they need to succeed.
Yeah. And he says, a leader's job is not to do the work for others. It's to empower them to do it themselves.
Yeah. That's a really important distinction. And he talks about developing a vision that's exciting and motivating.
That aligns with the company's value. Yeah. And then trusting your team to make it happen.
And celebrating their successes along the way. Yeah. Recognizing their contributions.
So it's really about empowerment. Yeah. Creating a sense of ownership.
And then the book also introduces some really interesting specific concepts. Yeah. Like psychological moonshots.
Yeah. Which are basically small investments that can boost the perceived value of a product or service. Yeah.
Like Uber's rider rating system or Build-A-Bear's personalization. It's about understanding consumer psychology. Yeah.
And focusing on the things that create a strong emotional response. And then he talks about the endowment effect. Which is that bias where we overvalue things just because we own them.
Yeah. Like how Apple lets you play with their products in the store. So you feel like you already own it.
And then there's the Kaizen philosophy. Which is all about continuous improvement. Yeah.
Small incremental changes that add up over time. It's like the compound interest of improvement. And he also introduces the discipline equation.
Which is a way to understand your motivation. Yeah. Like why are you struggling to stick to certain goals? And it's discipline equals the value of the goal plus the reward of the pursuit minus the cost of the pursuit.
So if you're struggling you need to either increase the value or the reward. Or decrease the cost. Yeah.
Find ways to make it easier or more enjoyable. And then he talks about the importance of sweating the small stuff. Right.
Paying attention to the details. Yeah. Because those small things can make a big difference.
It's about striving for excellence in everything you do. And then finally he talks about the role of progress in motivation. Right.
How even small wins can boost your motivation. So it's important to break down big goals into smaller steps. And celebrate those milestones along the way.
Yeah. Acknowledge the progress you're making. So now it's worth mentioning that the book has received some mixed reviews.
Yeah. A lot of people, especially young professionals, have praised it for its insights, its concise writing style, its inspirational content. Yeah.
It's very accessible. But some critics have said that it's a bit repetitive. Yeah.
Or that it lacks depth. And there's been some discussion about the structure of the book. Yeah.
And Bartlett's personal brand. But overall I think it's a really interesting book. It definitely is.
Yeah. It puts a strong emphasis on the human aspects of leadership. Yeah.
It's a very modern perspective. Blending personal growth with business acumen. It's got a lot of food for thought.
Yeah. And I think anyone who's interested in understanding themselves better. And leading more effectively.
Will find something of value in this book. Definitely. So as you're listening today, think about this.
What's one small change you could make? Based on the Kaizen philosophy. In your life or work. That could lead to big results over time.
And be sure to subscribe to Book Bytes. And leave us a five star review if you enjoyed this episode. Thanks for listening.
See you next time.
