The Virgin Way: Everything I Know About Leadership
byRichard Branson
The core message of the Virgin Way is Getting the Job Done and Having Fun Getting There. A vital part of that is trusting and investing in people; giving them the freedom to contribute and learn from mistakes. Richard was open enough to admit to some mistakes he made in business, such as the mistakes to move to digital for Virgin Records, in the era of iTunes; repeating the mistakes of Kodak during the digital photo era. Richard's wild and free spirit injects a spark of energy into the story and he promoted the importance of taking risks. You're guaranteed to miss every shot you don't take. If you're instinct is positive, then just go for it. Trust the process, trust your instincts and trust your team.
I enjoyed the section where Richard talked about public speaking and communication skills. I had no idea Richard did not enjoy public speaking, his perception to me was that of an outspoken CEO and great speaker. He prefers Q&A style talks.
He also admits the Virgin Way isn't for everyone. It takes a huge cultural shift and a leader who would allow all their people to lead.
Motivations to Read
I've always thought of Richard Branson as a "cool" C.E.O. I want to better understand his mindset and learn about his brand of companies.
3 Reasons to Read
- A unique book on leadership from someone who dropped out at sixteen, suffers from dyslexia, and has never worked for anyone but himself.
- Lessons from building the Virgin Brand of companies.
- Getting the Job Done and Having Fun Getting There.
Notable Quotes
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Richard Branson
“Listen - it makes you sound smarter” Richard Branson
“Acquiring the habit of note-taking is therefore a wonderfully complementary skill to that of listening.” Richard Branson
“In future just remember one thing: you're guaranteed to miss every shot you don't take.” Richard Branson
“All ideas are second-hand, consciously or unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources, and daily used by the garnerer with a pride and satisfaction born of the superstition that he originated them.” Richard Branson
The Virgin Way: Everything I Know About Leadership Notes & Summary
