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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Working Together summary
Michael D. Eisner
Aaron Cohen
Why Great Partnerships Succeed
13 mins
Brief summary
Working Together by Michael D. Eisner and Aaron Cohen shares personal insights and experiences on what makes a successful team. It provides tips and strategies on how to collaborate effectively, navigate challenges, and achieve common goals.
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Working Together
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Frank Wells and Michael Eisner: the partner as cheerleader.
Frank Wells and Michael Eisner had a great partnership at the Walt Disney Company: Eisner was the wild and creative CEO, while Wells, the president, kept the company grounded. Their secret was that nobody could get between them.
They had an unspoken pact that they'd always trust each other and stick together. This, combined with the fact that they genuinely liked each other, made their relationship very strong.
Wells and Eisner shared all their news. They always compared notes from their phone calls and visited each other’s offices at least 20 times a day. They also shared their frustrations, which made them easier to bear.
Wells also provided Eisner with a lot of support, demonstrating an important skill that's often overlooked: he was always Eisner's greatest cheerleader, enthusiastically promoting his ideas.
It was exactly this kind of passionate drive that became a crucial factor in their success. Wells was ready to do anything to help Eisner secure a deal. Once, when Wells was negotiating about the film Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood at Warner Brothers, he agreed to play tennis with Eastwood to settle a dispute.
Wells was concerned with success, not the spotlight, and because he had enjoyed a lot of success in his life, he was very confident. He didn't feel threatened by Eisner and was happy to accept the number two position in the company. In fact, when Disney wanted Wells and Eisner to be joint CEOs, Wells willingly gave way to Eisner when the latter said he'd prefer to be the sole CEO.
This kind of humility is vital in good partnerships, because it eliminates any competition. Wells even carried a note from a fortune cookie in his wallet for 30 years that read, “Humility is the final achievement.” His son found it after his death.
A partner who's supportive, passionate and humble is a great asset. When partners can engage with each other without any underlying competitiveness, they can focus on creating success in their company.
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What is Working Together about?
Working Together (2010) is all about the benefits of strong business partnerships. Some people are most productive when they pair up with someone else, and these blinks use several high-profile examples to outline how different kinds of partnerships work.
Working Together Review
Working Together (2010) is a book that explores the power of collaboration in the business world. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers insightful anecdotes from Eisner's own experiences as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, providing valuable lessons on teamwork and leadership.
- The book outlines practical strategies and tools for fostering effective collaboration, helping readers apply these concepts in their own professional and personal lives.
- With its emphasis on building strong relationships and creating a positive work culture, the book proves that collaboration can be engaging and fulfilling, making it definitely not boring.
Best quote from Working Together
If you want to get a good partner, the way to do it is to be a good partner. - Warren Buffett
—Michael D. Eisner with Aaron Cohen
Who should read Working Together?
- Ambitious leaders, bosses and managers
- Anyone who has a great idea and wants it to flourish
- Anyone who wants to make the most of a partnership
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Book summaries like Working Together
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Working Together FAQs
What is the main message of Working Together?
The main message of Working Together is the power of collaboration and teamwork in achieving success.
How long does it take to read Working Together?
The reading time for Working Together varies from person to person. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Working Together a good book? Is it worth reading?
Working Together is a valuable read for anyone interested in effective teamwork and leadership. It offers practical insights and real-life examples.
Who is the author of Working Together?
Michael D. Eisner with Aaron Cohen are the authors of Working Together.
What to read after Working Together?
If you're wondering what to read next after Working Together, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Energy of Belonging by Wendy Gates Corbett
- The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
- Moving to Outcomes by Robert Glazer & Matthew Wool
- Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt
- Good for Business by Andrew Benett et al.
- The Unspoken Truths for Career Success by Tessa White
- Radical Collaboration by James W. Tamm and Ronald J. Luyet
- Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
- Buddhism – Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
- The Everything Store by Brad Stone
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