First, Break all the Rules Book Summary - First, Break all the Rules Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

First, Break all the Rules summary

Marcus Buckingham Curt Coffman

What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently

4.2 (161 ratings)
26 mins

Brief summary

"First, Break All The Rules" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman is a management guide that challenges traditional practices. It offers insights into effective leadership and employee engagement based on research and real-world examples.

Table of Contents

    First, Break all the Rules
    Summary of 12 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 12

    Employee satisfaction is the key to a successful business.

    There are many ways to increase revenues for a company, yet most of these techniques result in only short-lived growth. In fact, a successful business – one which can sustain growth – can be based only on consistently good performance, which has much more to do with how things are managed within the business.

    In other words, at the heart of a successful business is a strong and high-performing workplace.

    The success of any business can be based only on a revenue stream that’s robust and sustainable. Such a stream is not generated by techniques like slashing prices or opening a new location, but is the result of a growing base of loyal customers. Growing such a loyal customer base requires that those customers feel satisfied with a company’s excellent products and services.

    So, how can a company create such a strong, high-performing workplace?

    The key lies in satisfied employees: the more satisfied an employee is, the more she’ll contribute to building and maintaining a strong workplace.

    Why is that?

    For one thing, satisfied employees are more engaged in their work, and because of their stronger commitment they greatly contribute to higher productivity.

    Another reason is that employees’ commitment often has an indirect effect on company profits. A satisfied, engaged employee is more likely to save energy (by, for example, making sure to turn off the lights) and negotiate prices, and less likely to steal from the company.

    Finally, such engaged employees will probably also stay longer with the company, and are more likely to be friendlier towards customers because they care greatly about how the company is perceived.

    So, in order to be successful in the long term, companies must build strong workplaces where performance is consistently high. Ensuring that employees are satisfied in their roles is a sure-fire way of creating such a workplace.

    Want to see all full key ideas from First, Break all the Rules?

    Key ideas in First, Break all the Rules

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is First, Break all the Rules about?

    First, Break all the Rules (1999) shows how great management differs from conventional approaches. The authors demonstrate how some commonly held notions about career and management are actually misleading. Based on interviews conducted with successful managers (research that the authors did for Gallup) the book introduces its readers to the key notions that great managers – those who get their employees to achieve performance excellence – use in their jobs.

    First, Break all the Rules Review

    First, Break all the Rules (1999) is an insightful exploration of effective management practices and strategies based on data from extensive Gallup research. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Offers practical, actionable insights that can help managers challenge conventional wisdom and make positive changes in their approach.
    • Presents compelling real-life stories and research findings that provide a deeper understanding of the principles and strategies discussed.
    • Keeps readers engaged with its thought-provoking perspectives on management and leadership, making it an enjoyable and enlightening read.

    Who should read First, Break all the Rules?

    • Anyone who wants to understand what jobs they might be best suited to
    • Anyone who wants to better understand their manager’s staffing decisions
    • Unit leaders, managers, human resource professionals

    About the Author

    Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman both have a background in business consulting and business research. At the time the book was published, they worked for the Gallup Organization, a global performance management consulting company. Both Buckingham and Coffman have started consulting and management training companies of their own, and have written other bestselling business books.

    Categories with First, Break all the Rules

    Book summaries like First, Break all the Rules

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    34 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    First, Break all the Rules FAQs 

    What is the main message of First, Break all the Rules?

    The main message of First, Break all the Rules is that effective managers focus on the strengths of their employees instead of trying to fix their weaknesses.

    How long does it take to read First, Break all the Rules?

    The reading time for First, Break all the Rules varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is First, Break all the Rules a good book? Is it worth reading?

    First, Break all the Rules is worth reading as it provides valuable insights on effective management strategies and challenges traditional thinking in the workplace.

    Who is the author of First, Break all the Rules?

    The authors of First, Break all the Rules are Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.

    What to read after First, Break all the Rules?

    If you're wondering what to read next after First, Break all the Rules, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick M. Lencioni
    • Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye Archambeau
    • Radical Candor by Kim Scott
    • Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
    • The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins
    • The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey with Rebecca R. Merrill
    • Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute
    • How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
    • The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss
    • Leadership Is Language by David Marquet