Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com
Summary:
As a social science researcher and an esteemed business consultant, Marcus Buckingham (First, Break All the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths) has spent considerable time studying the big picture. This wide-angle approach led him to an unexpectedly narrow conclusion: There is a core concept to even the most complex topic. What he has discovered in The One Thing You Need to Know is that single "controlling insights" exist for a whole range of situations, and when properly applied, can encourage exponential improvement and lead to precise action and results. In applying this concept to managing, leading, and individual performance he has pinpointed the single element necessary for achieving success in each of these three key positions.
Buckingham acknowledges the subtleties of the topic and his goal is "not to make these subjects simpler, merely clearer." And what could be clearer than one thing? The challenge lies in filtering out the nonessential matters and distinguishing "between what is merely important and what is imperative" in order to produce the greatest and most far-reaching effects. In offering advice on how to do this he also details the three things you need to learn about a person to manage them effectively, explains why a lack of balance is a good thing, shows how to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and discusses which personality traits all great leaders must possess.
Clearly written, informative, and enjoyable, the book aims to motivate readers to act--not just think--differently by providing concrete examples and specific lessons. And it need not be confined to the office--the concepts outlined in these pages can help people feel more fulfilled and productive in all aspects of life. --Shawn Carkonen
Essential Buckingham
First, Break All the Rules
Now, Discover Your Strengths
The One Thing You Need To Know, Audio CD
First, Break All The Rules, Audio CD
Now, Discover Your Strengths, Audio CD
First, Break All the Rules, Audio Cassette
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Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
Transformational Approach - AND they stick!
Customer Rating:
The 3 things that 'stuck': 1) As a Manager: Celebrate uniqueness 2) As a Leader: Call on needs we all share 3) Sustained Success: Cut out activities that don't feed you - pull from strength!
It's not ONE thing...it's many
Customer Rating:
The title is misleading...it's not one thing, it's many...and the many things the author cites are rehashed wisdom and experience, though he does present them in a succinct way. This book is for management junkies, not serious people looking for practical strategies to improve their and their team's performance. This is one more example of the superficial competition to fill your bookshelves with passed on wisdom. Better to roll up your sleeves and just DO IT!
Great Wisdom
Customer Rating:
I found Marcus Buckingham's wisdom about great management and leadership to be right on. Having worked in an environment that focused on people's weaknesses as an area for growth, this book was refreshing and pointed to the importance of developing talent and strengths. The examples are about well established people and very intriguing to study.
A promise kept
Customer Rating:
Every book holds a promise. This one holds 3 and keeps 4. Not a bad score. The book shares with you the secrets of individual success, management, leadership, and successful relationships. Yes, you could wish Marcus threw in the secret of eternal youth - but, I guess, he is still working on it. Good luck, Marcus! Your audience awaits!
The One Review You Need to Read
Customer Rating:
How long should it take you to tell someone the ONE thing they need to know? A whole book? Mr. Buckingham is a promoter - a salesman. Nothing wrong with that but you are not going to achieve enlightenment by reading it. This is just a generation X Zig Zigler. Don't be pathetic and think that a self-help book is going to change your life. That only comes through reflection and personal growth. So, now for free I am going to tell you the one thing you need to know AND I am even going to give you two versions of it:
Version One: Jesus "Do into others what you would have others do into you." Version Two: Hillel "What is hateful to you do not do to your fellow man."
There are other versions.
It is called the Ethic of Reciprocity. All else is commentary. Now go study.
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