Having just finished Mavericks at Work: Why the most original minds in business win by William Taylor and Polly LaBarre, I would like to start by saying that in church planting terms (as I like to rate books by) this is a bust. This is a book about ideas for businesses (too many examples I must add), and it’s a no holds barred approach. The writers don’t shy away from how these companies market, find talent and run their business and I found it incredibly conniving, especially in the way that they measure success, so in that regard (as one who dreams about a little more ethical approach to success) I found myself left wanting.
In a business sense the writers try to cover too much ground. From clever business ideas, to marketing those ideas, to hiring the right people, to coming up with the right gimmick, i was overwhelmed form the start. I have ready many of these types of books and this one is on its way to the closet thrift shop (unless you leave a comment here and I will send it to you).
In writing terms the book was too repetitive. Concepts and examples (did I mention about there were too many already) we repeated over and over, almost driving me insane.
So in the end I give this book a 1.5/5 and why the 0.5? Well for the following 5 questions that ask you to work through for your business that I found helpful. Here they are, think them through and don’t buy this book.
1. Why should great people join your organization?
2. Do you know a great person when you see one?
3. Can you find great people who aren’t looking for you?
4. Are you great at teaching great people how your organization works and wins?
5. Does your organization work as distinctively as it competes?
