Mavericks Book Summary - Mavericks Book explained in key points
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Mavericks summary

David Giles Lewis, Jules Goddard & Tamryn Batcheller-Adams

How Bold Leadership Changes the World

4.4 (253 ratings)
28 mins

Brief summary

Mavericks by David Giles Lewis, Jules Goddard & Tamryn Batcheller-Adams is a groundbreaking guide that provides insights into how businesses can adopt a maverick mindset to break free from conventional thinking and achieve success by creating a competitive edge.

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    Mavericks
    Summary of 8 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 8

    Anyone can develop their inner maverick.

    Elon Musk. Jacinda Ardern. Steve Jobs. Oprah Winfrey. What do these people all have in common? They’re maverick leaders – independent thinkers who have often taken a rather unorthodox approach to leadership, with amazing results.

    But we’re not going to talk about Elon Musk or any of the other famous maverick leaders. Instead, we’re going to focus on something a little bit different: ordinary mavericks. Normal people, just like you and me.

    Yes, really. Anyone can be a maverick. It’s not just about your DNA, or whether or not your parents raised you to think for yourself. The authors of Mavericks studied a wide range of maverick leaders, from businesspeople to explosives experts. After hours of research and interviews, they concluded that it wasn’t just nature or nurture that made these people mavericks.

    Of course, it’s true that some people are naturally more, well, unorthodox. Take Sidney Alford, for example. This explosives expert showed signs of a maverick nature from an early age. As a child growing up in London during the Second World War, Alford was fascinated by bombs. He would make fireworks using material he found on bomb sites. At school, he even made firecrackers from nitrogen triiodide and put them under the chair of a long-suffering teacher. 

    Alford later went on to have an extraordinary career as an engineer, creating devices that destroyed terrorist bombs.

    Obviously, Alford was special. But the authors are convinced that we’re all born with innate maverick tendencies. Just think of how curious, experimental, and original children can be. As we go through life, it’s up to us whether or not we develop those tendencies. 

    In other words, you can choose to become a maverick. And it’s a choice you can make again and again.

    At this point, you might be wondering, Do we all need to be mavericks? Is it really that important? Well, yes. According to the authors, it is important. We live in a divided and homogenized world, and mavericks are the solution. We need original thinkers, dissenters, and people who are capable of seeing things through the eyes of others.

    The end goal is to create maverick societies – and a better world. But before we get ahead of ourselves with ideas for global transformation, we need to think about change on a smaller scale. First, let’s start with the individual. What makes a maverick a maverick anyway?

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    What is Mavericks about?

    Mavericks (2022) makes a case for maverick leadership. It shows that independent thinkers motivated by meaningful goals can transform their careers and communities – and that anyone can develop their inner maverick by focusing on five key characteristics.

    Mavericks Review

    Mavericks (2019) is a thought-provoking book that explores the world of mavericks and the impact they have on organizations and society. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It brings together a diverse range of examples from history, business, and politics, showcasing the different ways mavericks challenge the status quo.
    • Through compelling stories and insightful analysis, it explores the positive influence mavericks can have on innovation, creativity, and driving change.
    • The book engages readers with thought-provoking questions about the role of mavericks in society, encouraging them to reflect on their own potential for disruption and growth.

    Who should read Mavericks?

    • Leaders interested in shaking things up
    • Anyone who wants to become more resourceful or resilient
    • People who want to change their organizations or communities for the better

    About the Author

    David Lewis is a global business consultant with more than three decades of experience in industry and academia. 

    Jules Goddard teaches competitive strategy and creative marketing at London Business School. He has coauthored several books about business and leadership. 

    Tamryn Batcheller-Adams is a consultant and psychologist who works with TomorrowToday Global.

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    Mavericks FAQs 

    What is the main message of Mavericks?

    The main message of Mavericks is that being a maverick, or an independent thinker, can lead to success and innovation.

    How long does it take to read Mavericks?

    Reading Mavericks takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Mavericks a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Mavericks is worth reading. It provides valuable insights on how thinking outside the box can drive success and positive change.

    Who is the author of Mavericks?

    The authors of Mavericks are David Giles Lewis, Jules Goddard, and Tamryn Batcheller-Adams.

    What to read after Mavericks?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Mavericks, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracián y Morales
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    • Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal with Tantum Collins
    • Choose Yourself by James Altucher
    • The Personality Brokers by Merve Emre