I was sent this book by the publisher, McGraw Hill, to review. Written by the Queen of Social Media, Ekaterina Walter, Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook’s Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Think Like Zuck opens, appropriately, with a comprehensive history of Facebook and all of its many accomplishments. It is almost unfathomable how much that company has done, and how much of the world it has changed, in just a few short years. To see it all laid out like that really is impressive. Regardless of how you feel about Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, what they have done is nothing short of extraordinary, from both a business standpoint and a sociological one.
After the moving and informative (Mark was captain of his fencing team? Who new?) introduction, the author dives into the real meat of the book, which is the five principals of Facebook’s success: Passion, Purpose, People, Product, and Partnerships. These five elements form the structure for the book as Ekaterina explores each one its own section.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the book isn’t devoted entirely to the many exploits of Facebook. She deftly weaves in the stories of several other exemplary and successful companies who follow, in whole or in part, the five principles. With her insider’s access to these companies she is able to really bring forth some inspiring and informative stories of how companies like Zappos, Xplane, College Humor Media, Threadless, Dyson, and JESS3, owned by her fellow FitFluential Board member Leslie Bradshaw, have used these ideas to propel their business to the next level.
While the five principals are important in their own right, the author also uses them as the framework to her narrative of Mark’s leadership journey from college kid to corporate titan. Just as she encourages future leaders to follow their passions, she follows Mark as he chases his own until, after several smaller starts, he learns to focus on his main product: Facebook. It is in building that product that he learns the importance of having the right people on his team and the necessity of having a larger purpose to inspire such a team. In closing, Ekaterina artfully, through anecdotes and personal recollections, explains the need for true partnership in every successful executive team.
Think Like Zuck is well written, insightful, and a great start for anyone who is finally ready to pursue their passion and create their own business.
I was provided a copy of the book free of charge, but all opinions in this review are my own.
Sounds interesting. Do you feel like you learned anything you can apply to your work/life/goals? Or was it of interest simply as a biography of a brilliant man?
Good Questions!
I wouldn’t call it a biography. While Mr. Zuckerberg is the catalyst for each chapter, I wouldn’t say he is the focal point of any of them. The Five P’s are the focal points — each chapter draws from the experience of many CEO’s, Mark and Facebook being just one. As I understand from other news sources, Ekaterina did not have access to interview Mark or his team. Everything she presented was through research — articles, event footage, interviews, etc. — so there was no insight direct from Mr. Zuckerberg himself.
Anything I can apply to my own life? Eh, hard to say. For me, the book was merely a confirmation of things I already know. I’ve been a naval officer for 18 years, leading hundreds of people at a time to do very difficult and uncomfortable things. My view and experience regarding leadership may not be the norm.
Take “Passion” for example — it stands to reason if you don’t like your work, you probably won’t be that good at it. You certainly won’t be that fulfilled doing it. Can you learn to be fulfilled? Maybe. Can you still be successful at doing things you’re not passionate about? Certainly. Is Zuck passionate about Facebook? Yeah, I’ll bet he is. But what was lacking in the “Passion” chapter, and the other chapters, was the in depth analysis of the impact Zuck’s passion had on Facebook’s success. Nor is there any discussion on how Zuck (or any other other CEO’s mentioned) utilized their passion to empower his employees — and the world — to invest time and effort into Facebook. Is it important to have passion for your work? Yes, I think it is. Is it necessary? I don’t think so, but no research was offered in this book to change that opinion.
The book would have been significantly stronger if Zuck’s practical application of these concepts had been better explored. HOW did Zuck’s passion affect Facebook? What useful tips for energizing your organization through your passion could be taken away from Zuck’s experience? Those types of details were limited in this book.
Much of the book was like that — anecdotal stories and interviews weaved together to empower the author’s view of the necessary qualities of leadership. Remember, no direct question was ever posed to Zuck about his leadership style, the “Five P’s” are the author’s invention.
It’s the lack of analysis and detailed reserach that caused me to say the book is a good starter book for leadership — I consider it at the level of a freshman class reading assignment.
This sounds like a much more fascinating read than I would have imagined. I love to learn more about successful business and social media so I’m sure this would be right up my alley! great review!
The FB story and Zuckerberg’s is truly fascinating. It’s amazing how one little idea can spring into a thousand ideas and be one of the biggest moneymakers in the world. Great review!
This book sounds awesome! Thanks for the great review!
my inner nerd LOVES book reviews!
I am still in the middle of it, but YES, there are principles that anyone can apply to their own passions!
Coco, what do you think of it so far? What made you want to pick it up and read it?
I cant wait to read this…
Sounds like a great read. I still haven’t even seen the move on him so I need to get caught up on both!
I was intrigued by the documentary about Facebook’s beginnings… an incredible success story. I’d love to read more about this- love those five p’s – especially people, passion and purpose. Great review!
You make me want to read this! Sounds like there’s a ton to learn and apply.
Too bad she left out the sixth principle: coming from a very privileged family.
Ha! Well, a little starting capital always helps, I suppose.
However, Zuckerberg started Facebook with extremely little cash — even by today’s standards. The businesses featured in this book are not the product of wealthy scions perpetuating their wealth. Each had to build their business.
Now, the value of attending schools like Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard? Hard to put a number to that. But, I think, in Zuck’s case the fact that his obvious prodigy for programming was recognized and encouraged by his parents probably had as much, if not more, impact on his success than his schooling.
Nice review, Rob! You do a fantastic job of outlining the purpose and organization of the book. Makes me want to buy it right away!
Now I want to read it. Totally hooked me!
Sounds like a good book, especially since other examples are used. I like the five principles and hope to get this on my reading list soon.
Ohhh! I have a copy that I haven’t had a chance to read yet. I love the five p’s too. Can’t wait to dive into this book!
I agree with Lindsay above – the book nerd side of me was SO excited to see a book review, even if it wasn’t health or fitness related. I’m constantly looking for new books to pick up and this is really intriguing to me. You don’t really think about how big Facebook has become compared to it’s launch – I started using it in college in 2004, and I think about how it looked like then and what it is today. It’s just insane!
This is on my “Must Read” list as well as the book about Steve Jobs. I’d be interested to see how these differ in the way they are written and the intended outcome the for the reader.
thanks for the run down! One of these days, I’ll get around to reading.
I always thought i just kind of ‘happened’ for him. Little by little I’m learning that it takes a particular focus to get things happening. Thanks Lisa – great review!