It's Called Work for a Reason!

Your Success is Your Own Damn Fault

By: Larry Winget

Narrated by: Larry Winget

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Are you frustrated with a lack of results at work? Have you hit a wall? Are you uninspired, stuck in a rut, feeling underappreciated? Well, good news: your success is not up to your boss, your manager, your employees, or the economy. It's up to YOU. Business is never bad, people are just bad at being in business. If that makes you mad, this book is for you. Larry Winget hacks through the bad advice given in most business books, explaining why:

Teamwork doesn't work

We reward the wrong behaviors and focus on the wrong things

Expectations are low, standards are even lower

We are all stealing from our companies and ourselves

Our co-workers are really only "co-goers"

Winget shows you how to take responsibility for your own success and get excited about your possibilities once again. Whether you punch a clock, own your own business, or manage other people, Larry's advice will work for you. Find out why:

Success is simple

Results are everything

You don't have to love your job (but it helps!)

You gotta serve somebody

Nothing happens until something is sold

You will be surprised, you will laugh, and you will discover motivation you never knew you had. Let Larry Winget shock you out of your comfort zone and into a whole new league.

©2006 Larry Winget (P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Larry Winget simultaneously takes on everyone from smart-ass employees and motivational speakers to bad service, bad salespeople and bad bosses. It's not a fair fight. Winget has an unfair advantage - he tells the truth and doesn't give a damn if you like it or not. But like it or hate it, Larry will challenge you to be as amazing as you know you are." (Joe Calloway, author of Work Like You're Showing Off!)

"Thin skinned? No sense of humor? Don't read this book! I warned you. On the other hand, if you want to read a book that cuts through the normal fluff and challenges you personally, then pay attention: Larry Winget will irritate you to be a better employee and a better person." (Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE, President, Sanborn & Associates, Inc., author of The Fred Factor)

"Winget sets a high threshold for delivering a likeable, useful book that will educate and promote behavioral changes. He delivers...Winget’s advice is solid: delivering results is the most fulfilling career move one can make." (Publishers Weekly)

Loved it!

I read this book years ago but it was great to listen to the audio version. I found myself laughing quite a few times. I highly recommend this book to anyone who owns/manages/or even thinking about owning a business.

In your face!

This is an excellent irritative book. It is a must read for anyone who has a get it done approach or anyone who is just plain lazy looking for a catalyst to change. Every manager should read this one! It should be required reading for the MBA programs! This is a common-sense, responsible, results oriented approach to people and the work ethic. It presents a realistic view of the employer/employee relationship. It deserves a periodic re-read as well. Enjoy!!

Loved this book. Larry tells it like it is !

Where does It's Called Work for a Reason! rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great book to listen to, very inspiring and reiterates the constant need for us to up our game in Customer service ! You know.... the one thing that goes out the window first !

What did you like best about this story?

True to life events and very real situations.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

customer service events

Any additional comments?

Buy it ! It will motivate you to remember customer service every time you deal with people.
It will make you a better person, business owner and consumer.

Loved it

Opened my eyes and changed my outlook and my attitude; and I like the new me more.

Sharp shooter with accuracy

I enjoyed the prospect of self review of your situation. Then apply what you have learned by taking action to complete the requirements of your job or prepare to move on strategically before quitting with out a plan. If you enjoy what you do then do it by giving it your best and more go above and beyond. If you don’t enjoy be real with yourself and move on and accept it is best for all parties involved.

The Boss Right. The Employee Wrong. The End.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Larry focuses the book on you the line level employee. It is all your fault and you should be happy to have a job so stop complaining about anything. He does not discuss "why" his company hired all these idiots in the first place. He focuses mostly on the fact that idiots don't make good employees which is kind of a "duh" opinion.

He also fails to focus on all the company BS that gets spun down to the line level employees leaving many of them disillusioned. Don't get me wrong there are some great nuggets in here but, it is a very "lightweight" rant from the perspective of a cranky old boss man. Be loyal to your employer and they will be loyal to you is a very dated concept. He does not make a good argument as to why employees should be loyal when the boss man keeps hiring all these idiots. I mean, I don't want to work with idiots so Larry why are you hiring so many of them?

It is well done for the most part just more of a rant from a boss about sucky employees being the problem more than anything else.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Larry was the only character.

What about Larry Winget’s performance did you like?

The book reads like he speaks. Easy listen and funny at times.

Was It's Called Work for a Reason! worth the listening time?

No. This book has some really great information but, it is basically a rant from a boss about how his employees should be glad to have a job. He is the boss, his employees are idiots, kiss his ring. He does not discuss why he hired so many of the idiots he loathes.

Awesome

Larry is awesome.
No thesis, theory’s or empty slogans.
Principles. Period.
That produce Results.
Get it!

Great book. Telling it like it is.

Straight forward advice and common sense principles. No BS. Businesses just need to do it!

Enjoyed the straight talk!

Larry just plain tells it. Direct and ro the point. Anyone who has a customer should read this book.

Not what I thought it would be

I probably should have done a little more research before buying. I found this book to be very de-motivational. The "shut up and quit whining" theme just doesn't work for me.