Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster What It Takes: Lessons In The Pursuit Of Excellence

I am only half way through this book however the enthusiasm Stephen has for his work and the tenacity to explore, learn and change shows that we can all be winners if we try hard enough.

Excellent book, so much insight and transparency.

Pieno di spunti pratici e motivazionali, si legge con piacere e lascia riflettere su come migliorare ogni giorno. Consigliato a chi cerca ispirazione e crescita personale.

Buena filosofía de vida.

Stephen A. Schwarzman’s What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence is a masterfully written memoir that chronicles the life of a visionary who redefined global finance and philanthropy. From humble beginnings in his father’s linen shop to co-founding Blackstone, one of the world’s most influential investment firms, Schwarzman’s narrative is a testament to the transformative power of ambition, resilience, and disciplined leadership. With candor and insight, he recounts the challenges and triumphs of building an empire, revealing his meticulous approach to risk management and the creation of a culture that prizes innovation and talent. His philosophy, encapsulated in the mantra “Don’t lose money,” serves as both a guiding principle and a hallmark of his enduring success. Beyond the financial world, Schwarzman’s commitment to philanthropy shines through in initiatives like the Schwarzman Scholars program and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, underscoring his dedication to global education and technological advancement. Imbued with practical wisdom and profound reflections, What It Takes is more than a memoir; it is a blueprint for aspiring leaders, a celebration of human potential, and a powerful ode to the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Trying to be objective as possible here: It’s essentially a biography mixed in with tidbits of advice. For other financial readers, it reminds me of a mix between Michael Lewis’ Liar’s Poker (for the entertaining story) and Ray Dalio’s Principles (for the sage advice). Some complain that it’s not really a biography, that stories are non-chronological (which honestly it is, Steve just jumps from one topic to another - Maybe talking about Blackstone in one paragraph to then talking about personal events in another, but they’re all generally chronological. Sometimes he does do flashbacks); Others say that it’s not really a hand guide of “What it Takes” and, therefore, the book is mislabeled. In my opinion, Schwarzman’s What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence, is a good mix between a traditional biography, in-depth business stories that are engaging, and valuable pieces of advice here and there. Honestly, what else is it supposed to be? I haven’t heard Schwarzman is planning on writing another book, so this was the single piece of writing to capture all of his life. Simply put, I loved it. I started it over the Thanksgiving holiday and finished it that Sunday. I honestly had a difficult time putting it down. Some say Schwarzman is pompous throughout the writing, and I have to concur - to a certain degree. One has to remember that Steve grew up fairly humble in Philadelphia, helping his parents run their linens store as a kid before they were able to move to a better part of the city and, in-turn, send Steve to a better public high school in the district. Having done very well academically and attending States for Track, he would attend Yale since he was rejected by Harvard. That was 1965. Later on in the book, Steve references things that most people wont be able to experience in their life: Meeting heads of state, taking flights to places like Egypt for an important dinner, and quite literally creating his own University. While I can see the point of view as this coming off as pompous, if I had Steve’s life, I would have written the book the same exact way. Not many people get to experience such unique events, so it makes sense to document them. Besides, Schwarzman quite literally worked for it all himself. Who wouldn’t want to talk about their successes when they grew up poor and is now one of the wealthiest people alive? If you’re looking for a great business book that’s engaging, easy to read, filled with good advice, and reaffirms that the American Dream is alive, then Steve Schwarzman’s What It Takes, is it.