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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Superbosses summary
Sydney Finkelstein
How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent
16 mins
Brief summary
Superbosses by Sydney Finkelstein explores the leadership methods of successful bosses that inspire their teams to become exceptionally creative and productive, ultimately creating more leaders rather than just followers.
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Superbosses
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Key idea 1 of 7
Superbosses come in three shades: iconoclasts, inglorious bastards and nurturers.
What does an iconoclast, an “inglorious bastard” and a nurturer have in common? These are all types of “superbosses.” Each type has a strength, and each can inspire workers in different ways.
Let’s start with iconoclasts. Their unwavering focus on their vision makes them easy to identify. An iconoclast’s ability to teach and share is a knock-on effect of the type’s unwavering dedication. In sum, iconoclasts inspire without even intending to!
Jazz great Miles Davis, for example, collaborated with young musicians to keep his creative juices flowing. While his goal wasn’t necessarily to help younger talents improve, he still was known as a great teacher.
Inglorious bastards, on the other hand, are characterized by their drive to win. They aspire to greatness and will do whatever is necessary to get there, even if it means pushing people out of the way.
To achieve such goals, however, inglorious bastards need a top-notch support team. Employees are pushed to perform at their peak, as failure is not an option. Through this, workers learn a lot.
Inglorious bastards can push their teams to extremes. Oracle founder Larry Ellison is known for management by ridicule. He scares his employees to push them to succeed! While such a strategy seems draconian, it works for Oracle. In fact, Ellison was recently nominated by the magazine BusinessWeek as one of the industry’s most competitive individuals.
And on the other side, nurturers are bosses who care and want to see employees grow. We can also call them activist bosses, as they’re always ready to guide team members to ensure they thrive.
Star restaurateur Norman Brinker was known for his nurturing management style. He genuinely loved watching employees improve; today some 18 of his former team members are heads of major restaurant chains.
So how can each type of superboss take your career to the next level? We’ll find out in the next blinks.
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What is Superbosses about?
Superbosses (2016) is the insider’s guide to understanding how charismatic, often controversial but unforgettable leaders tick. These blinks reveal the patterns and strategies of top-performing bosses, and explain how you can help your employees succeed by becoming a superboss yourself!
Superbosses Review
Superbosses (2016) explores the unique qualities that set exceptional leaders apart and offers valuable lessons on how to cultivate talent and create a lasting impact. Here's why this book is definitely worth a read:
- With compelling case studies and interviews, it sheds light on the strategies used by successful bosses, providing actionable insights for aspiring leaders.
- The book emphasizes the importance of nurturing and developing employees, showcasing how this approach leads to exceptional performance and loyalty.
- By exploring the unconventional methods employed by super bosses, it challenges traditional leadership paradigms and offers a fresh perspective on effective management.
Who should read Superbosses?
- Leaders struggling to improve business performance
- Employees curious about what makes a good boss
- Managers seeking strategies to encourage teamwork
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Superbosses FAQs
What is the main message of Superbosses?
The main message of Superbosses is that great leaders create other great leaders.
How long does it take to read Superbosses?
The reading time for Superbosses varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Superbosses a good book? Is it worth reading?
Superbosses is a valuable read for anyone interested in leadership development. It provides insights into how exceptional bosses cultivate talent and achieve outstanding results.
Who is the author of Superbosses?
Sydney Finkelstein is the author of Superbosses.
What to read after Superbosses?
If you're wondering what to read next after Superbosses, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Science of Rapid Skill Acquisition by Peter Hollins
- Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards
- Talent by Tyler Cowen & Daniel Gross
- Get to the Point! by Joel Schwartzberg
- The Practicing Stoic by Ward Farnsworth
- Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher
- Attitude Is Everything by Jeff Keller
- SuperFreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- Buddhism – Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen