10 Overrated Business Books & What To Read Instead
BNet have thrown in their two cents on some of the more popular business reads out there. From Steven Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People to Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
6. “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey (Free Press, 1989)
Publisher’s blurb: “Presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems.”
Excerpt: “The Character Ethic taught that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.”
Why it’s overrated: Insufferably sanctimonious.
Read this instead: “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli (various editions)
10 Overrated Business Books (and What to Read Instead) - [BNet]
Also worth checking out is BNet’s 10 Underrated Business Books. Maybe get one of these during Buy A Friend A Book Week this year.
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Comments
JC says on September 13th, 2007 at 9:46 am
This is a great list! I’ve read some of the books are the list, and I agree that they’re horrible.
Marina says on September 13th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Being the author of “Who Moved My Cheese?” is WAY up there on my list of things I would never, ever admit to another person. Thankfully, only Spencer Johnson is stuck with that dilemma.
I only admit to reading it because I truly did not expect it to be a parable starring sneaker-wearing mice. I am embarrassed to be of the same species as those who propelled this children’s story up on the NY Times Best Seller list.
Dr. Smoke says on September 16th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I suspect that many of the books on their “underrated” list — other than the Dale Carnegie book — will eventually appear on a future, revised “overrated” list.
“Reengineering the Corporation” is a classic that has been ruthlessly criticized by those who failed to implement its tenets properly. Reengineering has also become synonymous with downsizing, which it is not. Reengineering focuses on “process.” Too many firms look for IT band-aids to broken processes. Process change also requires cultural change.