Great at Work

How Top Performers Work Less and Achieve More

By: Morten Hansen

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of Great by Choice comes an authoritative, practical guide to individual performance - based on analysis from an exhaustive, groundbreaking study.

Why do some people perform better at work than others? This deceptively simple question continues to confound professionals in all sectors of the workforce. Now, after a unique, five-year study of more than 5,000 managers and employees, Morten Hansen reveals the answers in his "Seven Work Smarter Practices" that can be applied by anyone looking to maximize their time and performance.

Each of Hansen's seven practices is highlighted by inspiring stories from individuals in his comprehensive study. You'll meet a high school principal who engineered a dramatic turnaround of his failing high school; a rural Indian farmer determined to establish a better way of life for women in his village; and a sushi chef whose simple preparation has led to his restaurant (tucked away under a Tokyo subway station underpass) being awarded the maximum of three Michelin stars. Hansen also explains how the way Alfred Hitchcock filmed Psycho and the 1911 race to become the first explorer to reach the South Pole both illustrate the use of his seven practices (even before they were identified).

Each chapter contains questions and key insights to allow you to assess your own performance and figure out your work strengths as well as your weaknesses. Once you understand your individual style, there are clear tips to assist your focus on a strategy to become a more productive worker. Extensive, accessible, and friendly, Great at Work will help you achieve more by working less, backed by unprecedented statistical analysis.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2018 Morten Hansen (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Do less but obsess

The book is logically structured around the 7 practices to be great at work: Mastering Your Work * Put a lot of effort into a few important priorities. * Create value not just reach goals (for example, the report was done on time but does anyone read it). * Develop useful skills (don't become complacent in routine tasks). * Seek roles that match your purpose (what are you contributing to the world) and your passion (how much you enjoy what you're doing). Mastering Work With Others * Gain support from others to accomplish objectives. * Cut back on wasteful meetings and have vigorous debates in meetings. * Carefully pick cross-functional projects. There are chapters for each practice filled with examples and guidance. The main point is to do less but obsess. Be great at doing a few important things. That is more valuable than doing a lot of things but at a mediocre level.

Busting the work your butt off myth

Right off the bat Hansen declares that you can’t do 80 hours at work a week and simply expect you’ll do great things. Hansen finds the opposite is true. Focus, balance lead to positive work outcomes, not checking email at 3 am. Well worth the listen/read.

A good book. The ideas are not really new though

This is a good book to listen. It starts with a story about the author’s colleague who could do work better than him with less time, and the whole book is about how to do better with less time. The most important rule is that don’t take too many responsibilities, but instead do a few selected and really focus on them. These are good ideas. When I got too busy in working, I would think about the book and think about ways to cut the workload, so it’s useful.

However, the book presents the way like all its ideas are something new, something different, but they are not. I’ve listened to similar ideas before, but it is good to listen again.

Wish I had read this earlier in my career!

This book is very data driven and also gives practical solutions to working smarter not harder. I would recommend it for anyone in the workplace today.

Intriguing, research based, immediately applicable

A must for everyone who need a bit of research- robust help in today's fast pace office environment.

Why do academic waste our hours?

It took years of research. MBA, and PHD at Stanford for the academic authors to reach to this conclusion that 'obsession' is key to top performance. If you already know this truth then don't waste your valuable time.

Insights on performance/work life balance

a Very well written and informative book based on research. I think if you can put all seven principles to work it would be very beneficial. Be warned it may go against the culture of some workplaces.

Work harder is not the answer! Maintain focus

maintaining focus on the right things is critical. Rather than complaining about unproductive meetings, change how they are run.

Top 5 best self-development books for work

Where does Great at Work rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

n/a

What about Robert Petkoff’s performance did you like?

Fantastic

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How to become great at work

Any additional comments?

This book ranks up there with Deep Work, Talent Os Overrated, and Mindset. Combined with others, Hansen’s book is life changing

Great book

Morten Hansen demonstrate again his ability to present complicated material in an interesting and engaging way. And the topics are real interesting.