Let’s start this out with a confession. I am an unabashed, devoted, over-the-moon Tom Peters fan. Back in the 90s I read Liberation Management, and my business life changed. Since then he has become the king of exclamation points, bold type, rapid-burst sentences, and a style that matches his speeches. And a lot of people are turned off by this “Gee-whiz, Wow” approach. More’s the pity for those individuals. Because Peters speaks to what managers, leaders, and anyone involved in business needs to know, understand, and practice. I buy, read, and try my darnedest to practice what he is preaching. And I use much (a lot/gobs) of it in my presentations and in my writing.

So, surprise, surprise, I love this book.

Never has one of my books been so dog-eared (closest being Maslow on Management – which is a whole nother story.) There are principles and concepts wedged in every nook and cranny of this book for which I found instant application. And one of the strange benefits for me was that, after a short dose of the contents, I would find myself re-motivated to go back to the projects I was trying to avoid.

Describing what this book is all about may well be a fool’s game as it is a combination of leadership advice, marketing advice, management advice, and business advice. The basic sections talk about execution, excellence, people, innovation, and adding value – some of Peters favorite topics. But, again, that does not really provide an overview of what this book is. Best description might be that it is a collection of ideas and concepts that, if accepted and applied, can make anyone a better manager, leader, and person – and one better prepared to face the insanity that is the future.

This is not a sit-down-and-read-back-to-front-in-one-sitting book; this is best read in small doses to allow proper digestion of the contents.

Not a fan of Tom Peters? This book will probably not change your mind. If you have already written him off because of his style, you will not find a change in his approach here. All I would do is encourage you to try again with an open mind. And listen to what is being said, regardless of the style.

If you are someone who truly wants to transform the way you, your department, or your organization works, then the information contained is critical. Read now…and later, too. ( )