The Ride of a Lifetime - Robert Iger

07.02.2021

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Key Take-Aways

• If you are in the business of creating something, be in the business of creating something great
  • Don't settle for good enough
• Hard work is rewarded; have a good work ethic; do your homework; be consistent: Put in good work and keep it up.
• Never stop learning. His success story basically started when he got more serious about his academic achievements in college. I found it very inspiring how he saw every job as an opportunity to learn and grow and his mindset of seeking out mentors and not being afraid to ask questions is one I would like to adopt. I was also very inspired by the way he started studying politics very rigorously when he had the idea to run for president, even in his high age. I want to be like that. I will try to keep studying my whole life!
• Don't be so occupied dreaming where you want to be (which job/which position/...) that you forget to do a good job where you are right now.
• Always innovate. Without innovation, you are dying.
• Don't follow too many strategies and goals in business (and in life): three big strategies to focus on are better than ten which you cannot tend to!
• I personally found the story of his fathers' self-hatred very thought-provoking. Basically, his father didn't feel like he fulfilled his potential. One of the big reasons for that might have been his bipolar tendencies. Because of this lack of (monetary) success, his father always seemed to be shameful and hateful towards himself.
  • Such a way of living is not healthy and does not bring you any further. Focus on what you can do with what you are given instead of sinking in your own self-pity. This will lead to a happier, more successful life.
• Be honest and show integrity.
• When negotiating, never make promises in the beginning that you know you can not keep later on, just to start the negotiation process. The price you have to pay for that later is even worse than not being able to have a negotiation.
• It's possible to have a successful career and a fulfilled marriage and family life. At least that's how he portrayed his life.
• I found it interesting how he viewed the coherence of his life. At the end of the book, he said that he saw his life as a very logical row of decisions and consequences and everything fit in and there were no breaking points. This is in contrast to the fact that he earlier mentioned a divorce. The reason why I found this so interesting is, that it shows that it is not what happens to us, but how we interpret it and how we decide to deal with it that matters. For him, his divorce seems to have been a meaningful step in enabling his future happiness and wellbeing, not the end of the world as he knew it (Note: he didn't elaborate that much on this topic and this is my interpretation).
• I think it is important to learn how to manage stress and stay calm under pressure. He said that he had the ability to not get anxious in difficult situations, but I think even if you don't have that ability naturally, it is important to train it.
• Happiness comes from making good long-term decisions and giving your life meaning, not hedonism. He is someone who works hard, works out seven times (!) a week, focuses on eating healthy, ... and is very successful AND seems happy and fulfilled. So I think I have to stop telling myself I deserve that ice cream because what I actually deserve is healthy food, exercise, and long-term happiness!

All in all, I found the book and the author of it very inspiring and the stories very interesting, giving you an insight into the world of American (media) corporations and Disneys! It can surely help you boost your motivation and I think it is even more interesting for people who are interested in learning about good leadership.