Good People: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Good People containing key details about the book.
What is Good People About?
"Good People" is a novel written by Marcus Sakey. It is a thriller that tells the story of a young couple, Tom and Anna Reed, who are in financial trouble and stumble upon a large sum of money that they find in their tenant's abandoned apartment. The novel is about the moral and ethical dilemma that this couple faces as they struggle with what to do with the money, and how to handle the consequences of their actions. The story also explores the theme of how far people would go to protect themselves and their loved ones. The book has been well-reviewed and has been described as a suspenseful and thought-provoking read.
In Good People, he provides a clear language to discuss goodness, redefining it as a lifelong, proactive commitment that, like any skill, can be exercised, honed, and taught. When leaders prioritize goodness in themselves and in others, they can create lasting cultures and tremendous value.
Summary Points & Takeaways from Good People
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book includes:
* Financial struggles can cause people to make difficult decisions, even if those decisions are morally or ethically questionable.
* The line between right and wrong can become blurred when people are under stress and pressure.
* The consequences of one's actions can have far-reaching and unexpected effects.
* The choices we make, no matter how small, have a ripple effect that can impact not only ourselves but those around us.
* A sense of guilt and fear can consume people and make them paranoid, leading them to do things they never thought they would.
* The book illustrates how people can rationalize their actions, even if they are wrong, in order to justify them to themselves and others.
* When people are in dire situations, they can become ruthless and do anything to protect themselves and their loved ones.
* The novel shows how one action can trigger a chain of events that can spiral out of control, leading to a moral and ethical dilemma.
Who is the author of Good People?
Anthony Tjan is an entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and venture investor. He is coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck and CEO of the Cue Ball Group, a private investment and venture capital firm based in Boston.
Good People Summary Notes
Goodness in Competency Differs from Goodness in Values
In the world of business, the term "good" has lost its clear meaning and often gets muddled when it comes to evaluating employees. Goodness in competency, which is based on skills and competencies, is easy to measure and often becomes the sole focus in interviews and performance evaluations. However, goodness in values, which encompasses an employee's core values and moral code, is equally crucial to corporate success.
Many workplaces tend to view values such as truth, compassion, and wholeness as "soft skills" that can be neglected, but in reality, these values can have a significant impact on productivity and overall success. Companies that prioritize and incorporate these values into their culture tend to have happier and more engaged workforces, leading to positive change in the world and improved financial outcomes.
For example, the WD-40 Company, a manufacturer of household products, places a strong emphasis on its people-first philosophy. The company values the well-being and success of its employees, and mentorship is taken seriously. As a result, the company has high approval ratings for superiors and a staff turnover rate that is three times lower than the national average. This approach has contributed to the company's financial success, with WD-40 being valued at over $1.5 billion.
We Need a Shared Set of Principles to Define Goodness and Structure Our Actions
One of the main themes in this book is the importance of having a shared set of principles to define goodness and guide our actions, both in personal and professional settings. The author emphasizes that goodness should not be solely measured by competencies or financial success, but rather by values, beliefs, and human-centered approaches.
The author introduces the Good People Mantra, a practical framework with five basic principles for practicing goodness. The first principle is to be people-first, which involves prioritizing human beings over ideas, targets, and profits. The author argues that a great team is crucial for success as people create ideas, not the other way around.
The second principle is to assist others in becoming better versions of themselves, recognizing our shared humanity and helping others realize their unique potential. The third principle is to prioritize a person's values over their competencies, as values and belief systems provide a deeper understanding of one's potential.
The fourth principle is to channel balance and pragmatism when practicing goodness, understanding that tensions and competing priorities may arise in an imperfect world. Navigating these tensions with a clear head is important to avoid limiting our potential.
Lastly, the fifth principle is to consistently practice goodness, living up to our values even when not being observed or when there is no clear advantage for ourselves. Goodness requires internalizing values until they become an integral part of ourselves.
The author emphasizes that practicing goodness in all aspects of life, including in organizations and workplaces, leads to happier and more productive workforces and ultimately benefits the bottom line. The example of WD-40 Company is mentioned, where a people-first philosophy has resulted in significant success and low staff turnover.
The Goodness Pyramid: Truth as the Foundation of Goodness
One of the main themes discussed in The book is the concept of truth as the foundation of goodness, as outlined in the Good People Mantra. The book introduces the Goodness Pyramid, a three-tier framework that provides a shared vocabulary for understanding and practicing goodness.
At the base of the Goodness Pyramid is truth, which is comprised of three core components: humility, self-awareness, and integrity. Humility is emphasized as a key leadership trait that promotes lifelong curiosity and boosts a sense of humanity. Self-awareness is highlighted as a skill that can be strengthened through various activities such as writing, meditation, and seeking feedback from others. It is seen as crucial in reflecting on one's strengths and weaknesses and being truthful with oneself.
Integrity, the third element of truth, is highlighted as the trait that ensures coherence between one's professed values and actual behavior. An exercise by Benjamin Franklin is mentioned as a practical way to measure and practice integrity, where he would assess if he lived up to his values each day and tick the corresponding box on a table.
The book emphasizes that truth is complex and goes beyond just being honest with others. It involves being truthful to oneself, practicing humility, developing self-awareness, and maintaining integrity between values and behavior. The Goodness Pyramid serves as a framework for understanding and integrating these components of truth into our lives, enabling us to act and think authentically and congruently.
The overall tone of The book is conversational and clear, providing practical insights on how truth can be the foundation of goodness. It encourages readers to reflect on their own behaviors, values, and self-awareness, and highlights the importance of consistently practicing truth in our actions and interactions with others.
The Center of the Goodness Pyramid is Compassion
One of the main themes in this book is that compassion is the center of the Goodness Pyramid, which is a three-tier framework that offers a shared vocabulary about what goodness actually is. While truth is the foundation of the pyramid, compassion is what truly defines goodness. Compassion is an exercise in complete selflessness, allowing us to perceive the feelings and experiences of others more clearly. Despite the misconception that compassion is equated with weakness in traditional business settings, practicing compassion is crucial in building a unique, inspiring, and productive workplace.
Compassion is anchored by three values: openness, empathy, and generosity. Openness is a state of mind that counters negative biases and allows optimism to seep through, making it easier to feel compassion. Practicing openness can be done through the 24x3 rule, which imposes a minimum wait time before responding to a colleague's idea, allowing exploration of all possible advantages. Empathy is the attempt to understand another's feelings and allows for better connection with coworkers. Asking genuine questions, such as "How are you, really?" or "Are you happy working here?" can help practice empathy.
Generosity is the last anchor of compassion and is key to bridging the divide between compassion and competition. Being generous benefits both the giver and the receiver. For example, studies have shown that the most collaborative and generous students tend to fare more successfully in their future careers.
The book emphasizes that compassion is not only essential for creating a positive work environment, but also for motivating teams to achieve important deadlines and organizational objectives. It challenges the notion that compassion is a weakness and instead argues that it is a strength that fosters collaboration, empathy, and generosity. By recognizing compassion as the center of the Goodness Pyramid, The book encourages readers to cultivate and practice compassion in their personal and professional lives to promote goodness and positive change.
The Crowning Trait of the Goodness Pyramid is Wholeness.
One of the main themes here is wholeness, which is described as the highest point on the Goodness Pyramid and the hardest to achieve. Wholeness is a state of being that comprises three elements: love, respect, and wisdom. It is the search for wholeness that is important, as it is the highest expression of someone's goodness.
Love, in a business context, is not about romantic attachments, but rather caring deeply for others' well-being and happiness, including having a love for one's company's brand and values. The concept of "lovemarks," as described by Kevin Roberts in his book "Lovemarks," suggests that brands should aim to create memorable moments that leave authentic imprints on consumers.
Respect, both for oneself and for others, is another important element of wholeness. It involves taking responsibility for mistakes, apologizing when necessary, and putting the customer first, as exemplified by JetBlue CEO David Neeleman's public apology and commitment to prevent future delays.
Wisdom, the final trait of wholeness, involves putting intelligence and experience into practice. It includes the ability to distinguish between important and unimportant factors, making better choices, and being able to see complexity and nuances in situations. Wisdom also helps in understanding what factors can and cannot be controlled, and prevents dwelling on things that are beyond our control.
The book emphasizes that the search for wholeness is ongoing and never truly ends. It is a continuous journey of self-improvement and personal growth. The ability to demonstrate love, respect, and wisdom in various aspects of life, including in a business setting, is a key aspect of being a good person and achieving wholeness. By integrating these traits into our actions and decisions, we can strive towards being more whole and living a meaningful and purposeful life.
Tensions are Inevitable When Practicing Goodness
In a world that is imperfect and contradictory, practicing goodness can be challenging. Despite having a shared framework for goodness, implementing it in real-world situations often involves encountering tensions and facing difficult trade-offs. One common tension is between short-term and long-term thinking. While most of us understand the importance of planning for the future, our decision-making tends to prioritize short-term rewards. This bias towards short-termism is fueled by a culture of instant gratification in business, where CEOs of public companies are often under pressure to show quarterly gains and investors seek quick profits from trades.
However, building anything meaningful requires patience and navigating the tension between short-termism and long-termism. One notable example of successful long-term thinking is Warren Buffett, a renowned investor who patiently stuck to his long-term growth strategy during the dot-com bubble in 1999, despite facing criticism for not investing in the booming market. His integrity and perseverance paid off when the bubble burst in 2000, validating his approach.
The importance of long-term thinking also applies to nurturing people. Mentoring colleagues personally and professionally can help them realize their full potential and contribute as strong individuals to the company's human capital. This can be achieved by generously sharing specialized knowledge and skills, providing honest and kind feedback, and instilling a sense of empowerment in individuals.
Despite the challenges, practicing goodness requires vigilance and commitment to navigate tensions and make choices that align with long-term values and goals. It involves being mindful of our biases towards short-term rewards and constantly striving to prioritize long-term thinking in our decision-making processes. By embracing the tension between short-termism and long-termism, and by investing in the growth and development of people, we can create a positive impact in our organizations and society at large. Practicing goodness is not always easy, but it is a worthwhile endeavor that can lead to meaningful outcomes and contribute to a better world.
The R.I.S.E Decision-Making Framework Can Help Us Overcome Workplace Tensions.
One of the main themes in this book is how the R.I.S.E decision-making framework can help us navigate tensions that arise when practicing goodness in an imperfect world, particularly in the workplace. The R.I.S.E framework is a four-step process that involves recognizing a situation, internalizing it, sharing reflections with others, and executing a decision with conviction.
The first step in the R.I.S.E framework is to recognize a situation by evaluating its risks and potential outcomes, and setting realistic expectations. This involves being aware of the tension between idealism and pragmatism and making wise choices based on the reality of the situation. An example of this is how Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, recognized the challenges of transforming Singapore's port infrastructure and successfully navigated the tension between idealism and pragmatism by establishing a pension plan that gave citizens a sense of ownership.
The second step is to internalize the situation by deeply understanding the issue at hand and mentally exploring all potential outcomes. This goes beyond recognition and requires patience and attention to detail. An example of this is how Anthony Tjan, co-founder of MiniLuxe, took the time to internalize the concept of his business before executing it, which ultimately led to the success of the company.
The third step is to share reflections on the situation with a select group of good people, such as mentors, coworkers, or family. This allows for multiple perspectives to be considered, which can provide new insights and angles on the issue. This step emphasizes the importance of collaboration and seeking feedback from others.
The final step is to execute the decision with conviction. This involves having confidence in the decision made and writing it down along with the reasoning behind it. This aids in the process of learning and reflection, which can inform future decisions and create a positive feedback loop.
Goodness Transforms Our Capacity to Mentor
One of the main themes here is the importance of incorporating goodness into our leadership and mentoring practices. The Good People Mantra emphasizes the need to inspire, motivate, and help others realize their full potential as human beings, especially when we are in positions of authority and leadership. Mentoring for goodness involves establishing an authentic connection with our mentees and focusing on values before delving into technical skills.
The book highlights the significance of compassion and empathy in becoming better mentors. Genuine listening, devoid of phatic communication (everyday words and phrases that are meaningless and procedural), deepens trust and sparks inspiration. The book suggests five critical questions that good mentors should ask their mentees, which strike a balance between discovering the truth and offering compassion.
The Goodness Pyramid's values of truth, compassion, and wisdom are emphasized as guiding principles for fostering goodness in others and becoming good people ourselves. By living according to the Good People Mantra and recognizing tensions as they arise, we can create a positive work environment, supercharge our mentoring capabilities, and become inspirational leaders.
The book encourages a shift from solely focusing on competencies to incorporating values and goodness in mentoring relationships. By authentically connecting with our mentees and being compassionate listeners, we can effectively guide and support them in their pursuit of personal and professional growth. The use of the Goodness Pyramid's values and the Good People Mantra as guiding principles can transform our capacity to mentor and lead, creating a positive impact on those around us and fostering a culture of goodness in the workplace.
Book Details
- Print length: 304 pages
- Genre: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction
What is a good quote from Good People?
Top Quote: "A truly good person is not afraid to think from their heart; therefore, allowing nonconformist decisions, viewpoints, and perspectives to lead their life. By following their heart, they stand with their conscience" (Meaning) - Good People Quotes, Anthony Tjan
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "Tjan does tackle an excellent question by attempting to define "good." Told in a narrative format with chapter summaries that helpfully distill the salient points, this accessible, entry-level work is for anyone developing their own leadership philosophy. VERDICT Recommended as an introduction for individuals who are interested in leadership but are not entirely sure how to get started." — Mark Hanson, Maranatha Baptist Univ. Lib., Watertown, WI
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal development, I invite you to check out my list of favorite personal development books page. On this page, you'll find a curated list of books that have personally impacted my life, each with a summary and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
