Nine Lies about Work

In 'Nine Lies about Work,' Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall challenge conventional wisdom about workplace productivity and management. They reveal that many widely accepted beliefs—like the importance of employee engagement and the need for constant feedback—are actually misleading. Instead, the authors advocate for a more personalized approach to work that prioritizes individual strengths and real-time insights. Through engaging anecdotes and compelling research, this book redefines what it means to thrive in a professional environment. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about work and discover a more effective way to lead and collaborate.

By Marcus Buckingham, Ashley Goodall

Published: 2019

"The truth about work is not to find the right answers, but to ask the right questions and discover the potential that lies within us all."

Nine Lies about WorkBook binding

Start Listening

0:000:00

What Readers Say About This Book

How do you get to what's real? Your organization's culture is the key to its success. Strategic planning is essential. People's competencies should be measured and their weaknesses shored up. People crave feedback. These may sound like basic truths of our work lives today. But actually, they're lies. As strengths guru and bestselling author Marcus Buckingham and Cisco Leadership and Team Intelligence head Ashley Goodall show in this provocative, inspiring book, there are some big lies--distortions, faulty assumptions, wrong thinking--running through our organizational lives. Nine lies, to be exact. They cause dysfunction and frustration and ultimately result in a strange feeling of unreality that pervades our workplaces. But there are those who can get past the lies and discover what's real. These are freethinking leaders who recognize the power and beauty of our individual uniqueness, who know that emergent patterns are more valuable than received wisdom, and that evidence is more powerful than dogma. With engaging stories and incisive analysis, the authors reveal the essential truths that such freethinking leaders will recognize immediately: that it is the strength and cohesiveness of your team, not your company's culture, that matters most; that we need less focus on top-down planning and more on giving our people reliable, real-time intelligence; that rather than trying to align people's goals we should strive to align people's sense of purpose and meaning; that people don't want constant feedback, they want helpful attention. This is the real world of work. If you embrace each person's uniqueness and see this as key for all healthy organizations; if you reject dogma and engage with the real world; if you seek out emergent patterns and put your faith in evidence, not philosophy; if you thrill to the power of teams--if you do all of these, then you are a freethinking leader, and this book is for you.

About the Authors

M

Marcus Buckingham

Marcus Buckingham is a leading global researcher and author known for his expertise in strengths-based development and employee engagement. He is the co-author of the bestseller 'Now, Discover Your Strengths' and the author of several influential books including 'The One Thing You Need to Know' and 'StandOut'. Buckingham's writing style is characterized by its practical application of research, blending empirical studies with actionable insights, making complex psychological concepts accessible to a broad audience. He is also a prominent speaker and thought leader, frequently sharing insights on how individuals can leverage their unique strengths in personal and professional contexts.

A

Ashley Goodall

Ashley Goodall is an acclaimed author and thought leader known for her insightful explorations of leadership, organizational culture, and human potential. With notable works such as "Reinventing Performance Management" and "The New Leadership Playbook", Goodall combines empirical research with practical insights, offering readers a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of modern workplaces. Her writing style is characterized by clarity, engagement, and a commitment to evidence-based practices, making her a sought-after speaker and consultant in the fields of management and organizational development.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
Marcus Buckingham, Ashley Goodall
Published
April 2019
Publisher
Harvard Business School Press
ISBN
1633696308
Language
English
Pages
256
Genres
Business and EconomicsOrganizational BehaviorLeadershipLeadership Theories

Purchase Options

Amazon logoBuy on Amazon
BookShop logoBuy via BookShop

Support local bookstores: BookShop gives a portion of each sale to independent bookshops!

Similar books you might like →

Leaders Eat LastBook binding

Leaders Eat Last

Simon Sinek

The Infinite GameBook binding

The Infinite Game

Simon Sinek

The Leadership ChallengeBook binding

The Leadership Challenge

James M. Kouzes, Barry Z. Posner

Leadership Wisdom From The Monk Who Sold His FerrariBook binding

Leadership Wisdom From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Robin Sharma

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your HumanityBook binding

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Kim Scott

The 15 Commitments of Conscious LeadershipBook binding

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, Kaley Klemp

Hatching TwitterBook binding

Hatching Twitter

Nick Bilton

Tribal LeadershipBook binding

Tribal Leadership

Dave Logan, John King, Halee Fischer-Wright

Showing 8 of 29 similar books

Take your reading experience to the next level

Download our mobile app to enjoy your favorite books on the go. Get access to exclusive features, offline listening, and personalized recommendations.

Download on the App Store

Book Collections you might like →

Vinod Khosla's Book Recommendations

Vinod Khosla's Book Recommendations

Vinod Khosla is an Indian-American venture capitalist and co-founder of Sun Microsystems, one of the companies that helped drive the development of the internet. Khosla is the founder of Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in technology and energy. He is known for his bold approach to investing, often backing companies working on breakthrough technologies in areas like renewable energy, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. Khosla is a vocal advocate for using technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. His visionary approach to investing has made him one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley.

View Collection
Anu Hariharan's Book Recommendations

Anu Hariharan's Book Recommendations

Anu Hariharan is a distinguished partner at Y Combinator's Continuity Fund, where she has been instrumental in scaling numerous startups into successful enterprises. With a strong background in economics and technology, she has become a respected voice in the venture capital community. Hariharan has also made significant contributions through her writing on startup growth and investment strategies, offering insightful analyses and practical advice to entrepreneurs. Her work is frequently featured in leading business publications, showcasing her expertise in the tech industry. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hariharan is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the startup ecosystem.

View Collection
Drew Houston's Book Recommendations

Drew Houston's Book Recommendations

Drew Houston is an accomplished American entrepreneur best known for co-founding Dropbox, a widely-used cloud storage service, in 2007. As the CEO, he has led the company to serve millions of users worldwide and become a key player in the tech industry. Although not primarily known for literature, Houston has shared his entrepreneurial insights and experiences through various interviews and public speaking engagements, offering valuable lessons to aspiring business leaders. His work has significantly influenced the way people and organizations manage and share digital content. Houston's innovative vision continues to shape the future of cloud computing and digital collaboration.

View Collection
Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations

Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations

Andrew Chen is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and thought leader in growth marketing, currently serving as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Chen is known for his expertise in network effects, viral growth strategies, and marketplace dynamics, making him a sought-after advisor for startups looking to scale. Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, he worked in leadership roles at Uber, helping to grow the ride-sharing platform’s user base and develop key growth strategies. Chen is also a prolific writer, sharing his insights on growth, technology, and startups through his popular blog and newsletter, which has attracted a loyal following in the tech community. His work has helped shape how many startups approach user acquisition, retention, and product-market fit. As a venture capitalist, Chen focuses on early-stage companies in the consumer internet, SaaS, and marketplace sectors, and he has been involved in funding and advising several successful startups. His insights on technology and growth continue to influence both founders and investors alike.

View Collection
Austin Rief's Book Recommendations

Austin Rief's Book Recommendations

Austin Rief is a prominent entrepreneur and writer, best known as the co-founder and COO of Morning Brew, a leading business newsletter that simplifies news for modern professionals. Under his leadership, Morning Brew grew its subscriber base to millions, becoming a staple in the daily routines of business enthusiasts. Rief's innovative approach to media and content delivery has earned him recognition in the entrepreneurial community. He frequently shares insights on business growth and digital media through various platforms. His contributions have significantly influenced how business news is consumed by younger audiences.

View Collection
Changpeng Zhao's Book Recommendations

Changpeng Zhao's Book Recommendations

Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as "CZ," is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world and the founder and CEO of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Although not a traditional literary figure, Zhao has significantly contributed to the understanding and proliferation of blockchain technology through numerous articles, interviews, and public speaking engagements. His insights and leadership have been instrumental in shaping modern digital finance. Zhao's journey from coding at Bloomberg to creating Binance has been documented in various publications, shedding light on the transformative potential of cryptocurrencies. Through his work, CZ continues to influence both the financial and technological landscapes globally.

View Collection
Library Mindset's Book Recommendations

Library Mindset's Book Recommendations

Library Mindset is an online platform and social media presence that encourages lifelong learning through reading and reflection. The brand promotes the idea of building a personal “library mindset,” where individuals accumulate knowledge and wisdom through books across a variety of genres. It shares book recommendations, summaries, and insights aimed at fostering personal and professional growth. Library Mindset emphasizes the power of reading as a tool for self-improvement and continuous education. The platform is popular among readers and learners who seek curated, thoughtful content that inspires growth and curiosity.

View Collection
Brian Armstrong's Book Recommendations

Brian Armstrong's Book Recommendations

Brian Armstrong is a renowned entrepreneur and author best known for co-founding and leading Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange. His literary contributions include insightful writings on the future of digital currencies and blockchain technology. Armstrong's work has been pivotal in demystifying complex financial systems for a broader audience. Beyond his business acumen, his thought leadership in publications and public speaking engagements has cemented his status as a key voice in the fintech revolution. His dedication to innovation continues to influence the trajectory of global financial systems.

View Collection

Showing 8 of 13 related collections

The truth about work is not to find the right answers, but to ask the right questions and discover the potential that lies within us all.

Nine Lies about Work

By Marcus Buckingham, Ashley Goodall