Page 88 - EW July 2025_Neat

Books

Successful THE DIARY OF A CEO bound together by the
right culture,” says this
leadership Steven Bartlett proven go-getter. And the
prescription for building
prescription PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE great teams is provided
Rs.999
Pages 355 by six additional Bartlett
laws. Among them: hire
COLLEGE drop- the best people, bind them
out, Botswana- together (“create a cult
A born UK-based mentality”), ensure learn-
Steven Bartlett (33) has tributes could be grouped Globally reputed ing never ends, and several
established a formidable into “five buckets” and entrepreneur, author, other nostrums. Examples
global reputation as en- filled “to the brim” as angel investor and and anecdotes are drawn
trepreneur, author, angel in the history of Tesla media maven, Bartlett from the lives and deeds
investor and media maven. founder and billionaire shares his personal of British entrepreneur
His podcast titled The Elon Musk. To develop the experiences, lessons extraordinaire Richard
Diary of a CEO, streamed self, Bartlett prescribes derived from business Branson, among others.
across Apple, Spotify and eight other laws — mas- and his 33 'laws' of The Diary and its
YouTube, has attracted ter a skill, teach it; don’t success laws for business and life
over 1 billion streams/ disagree; ask, don’t tell. success are an engaging
listeners and 50 million The others are confusingly mix of self-help advice,
in 2024. On YouTube, its titled but become clear af- a personal philosophical business tips, vision and
671 episodes (until May 1, ter they are explained with core. “Your philosophy is personal advancement
2025) have been tuned in illuminating examples and the set of beliefs, values philosophy. It is also
by 766 million viewers. anecdotes. or principles that guide helpful for education
In 2023, the best of Under Pillar II, the your behaviour — they are professionals aspiring for
these motivational pod- author advises aspiring fundamental beliefs that upward mobility in the
casts embellished with leaders to get their story underpin your actions,” fast-paced digital world.
anecdotes from his roller- right. “Make your mar- he writes. Grouped under The differentiator
coaster life were published keting or brand message this pillar are nine more of this compendium of
under the title The Diary travel ten times further Bartlett laws — attention biographies and autobiog-
of a CEO: The 33 Laws and reach ten times more to detail elucidated with raphy in a crowded library
of Business & Life. In people, with a hundredth examples from Japanese of self-help and career
this book, he shares his of the budget”. The eight Kaizen philosophy; learn- advancement manuals
personal experiences, les- ‘laws’ prescribed under ing to learn from failure; is that Bartlett doesn’t
sons from business, and this pillar include starting focus entirely on Plan-A, merely offer advice; he
insightful reflections about with a big splash (“useless don’t draw up a Plan-B; provides a unique lateral
33 Laws “that could stand absurdities are better than make sure you are aware thinking prescription for
the test of time, transfer to useful practicalities”); of your environment, students, teachers, and
any industry and be used learning to grab attention; “don’t be an ostrich”, entrepreneurs, posing
by anyone who is trying to piss people off (“if people among other useful advi- important philosophical
build something great or hate you, you are say- sories. Again all these laws conundrums such as: Why
become someone great”. ing the right thing”); fire are supported by engaging do we chase success that
These laws are grouped psychological moonshots; examples and anecdotes doesn’t make us happy?
under “four pillar of great- don’t fear creating friction, drawn from history and Is discipline more im-
ness” — the self; the story; among others. Intriguingly famous biographies. portant than motivation?
the philosophy, and the titled, laws under Pillar II In the laws grouped What happens when we
team. are richly illustrated with under Pillar IV, the author ignore human sentiment
Under Pillar I, Bartlett thought-provoking ex- advises the ambitious to in a world driven by data?
advises aspirational lead- amples, even if seemingly ensure they build teams Bartlett challenges readers
ers to prepare for great- over the top. “Assembling any group — especially educators,
ness by evaluating the Pillar III titled Phi- of people is not enough; and aspiring entrepre-
self — your knowledge, losophy, offers salutary for your group of people neurs — to rethink stress
skills, network, resources advice to success chasers to become a great team, as privilege, prioritise
and reputation. These at- to understand and develop you need the right people, discipline over fleeting

88 EDUCATIONWORLD JULY 2025