Monday, April 20, 2009

The Truth About You by Marcus Buckingham


Wouldn't it be great if the majority of the time we spend at work was spent doing things that energize us, and not sap us, to the point of truly looking forward to going to work? In Marcus Buckingham's book, The Truth About You, he addresses this very question. In this interactive work (there is a DVD and a Strengths / Weaknesses journal), Buckingham addresses many of the same arguments that he has in his other works: it's a myth that you should try to develop your weaknesses, strengths are not what you are good at but what you draw energy from, and you employer did not hire you for who you are, but what you can do for them, to name a few. Also, he gives practical ways to help discover your strengths without taking the test, as well as practical tips to help design your job around your strengths.

This is a great book! I love everything I've read of his. What made this stand out was, 1) how interactive it is, 2) how quick/easy of a read it is, and 3) how practical it is. The thing I have missed from his other books is how to take your strengths and actually apply them in your present job. That is not missing from this one. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a job since, if what he writes is put into practice, your job will become a more fulfilling place.