MyBookReview

Consider this book the “ten commandments” of work.  In this book you will encounter ten rules.  Each rule is futher subdivided into ten explanation or sections.  The ten rules are:

1. Walk your talk
2. Know that you’re being judged at all times
3. Have a plan
4. If you can’t say anything nice - shut up
5. Look after yourself
6. Blend in
7. Act one step ahead
8. Cultivate diplomacy
9. Know the system - and milk it
10. Handle the opposition

Rule 4 is an easy rule to understand but a tough one to follow.  We all like to gossip, to bitch, to talk about our boss behind their back.  The rule, however is - don’t do it.  Learn to say only positive things, nice things, complimentary things.  In reality, this rule is broken all time.  Even at my organisation, we all talked about our boss….not necessarily in positive tone.  Nevertheless…our boss is still our boss and we still need tor respect him or her.

I would recommend this book for those who want to know about the principles of work.  It will give lots of insights in dealing with the realities of your job.

About the book:

To date I have accumulated so many books so I wondered which one should be given the honor to have it’s first entry.  I mulled the idea of putting the Bible as the first, but then thought otherwise. Perhaps in later entries.

I’ve always been a fan of Edward de Bono when I first attended one of his premier lecture held in Sabah.  He is well known for his lateral thinking ideas.  And no wonder he has put into one of his books called Simplicity.  As a proponent of simplicity I didn’t think twice when I bought the book.   A humble book to begin with, but one with profound ideas.  Simple that is.  It talks about the ten rules of simplicity. So simple that it began by telling the reader that if you want jump ahead read simply about it, just turn to page 279.

De Bono talked about simplicity having the first rule towards attaining it is to first put high value on simplicity. You then must have the determination to seek what is simple.  To cut it short here are the ten rules:

1. You need to put a very high value on simplicity.
2. You must be determined to seek simplicity.
3. You need to understand the matter very well.
4. You need to design alternatives and possibilities.
5. You need to challenge and discard existing elements.
6. You need to be prepared to start all over again.
7. You need to use concepts.
8. You may need to break things down into smaller units.
9. You need to be prepared to trade off other values for simplicity.
10. You need to know for whose sake the simplicity is being designed.

So far I’ve been trying practise these principles/rules and I find that it works for me.  It really simplifies when things aren’t going your way or when you’re facing difficulties.

About the book

Paperback
Authored by Edward De Bono
Published by Viking, 1998
ISBN 0670870129, 9780670870127
304 pages

Recommmendation:  Great book.  You should have it in your collection.