The Virgin Way

How to Listen, Learn, Laugh, and Lead

By: Richard Branson

Narrated by: Adrian Mulraney

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In September 2012, a YouGov poll conducted in Britain found that the person British workers would most like as their manager was Sir Richard Branson.

With over 40 years in business, Richard Branson is an inspiring pioneer of humanitarian projects and an iconic business leader. In The Virgin Way: How to Listen, Learn, Laugh and Lead, Richard shares and distils his secrets of leadership and success. Featuring anecdotes from his own business dealings, as well as his observations of many others who have inspired him - from politicians, business leaders, explorers, scientists, and philanthropists - Richard reflects on the qualities he feels are essential for success in today's world.This is not a conventional book on leadership. There are no rules - but rather the secrets of leadership that he has learned along the way from his days at Virgin Records, to his recent work with The Elders. Whether you're at the beginning of your career, or head of a Fortune 500 company, this is your guide to being your own CEO (Chief Enabling Officer) and becoming a true leader, not just a boss.

©2014 Richard Branson (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Screwed it

To rewrite this book using only 6 words I would write:- 'Richard Branson, friendly joker, advertising brand.'
Meaning, Who couldn't love the guy, his excellent accent, his funny stories and the passion he has for his people and his brands; Virgin Airlines, Virgin Records, Virgin Money, Resorts, Condoms, etc.
I love the way he speaks nicely of Australia and how we are not a country to be forgotten or considered backward. I like the way he tries to follow the 'shalt not speak evil' and give credit where credits due. But I did get sick of him going on and on about each of his brands to such an extent I felt I was listening to ongoing advertising; which is sadly why he received 4 stars instead of 5. Would I ever buy or recommend reading any of his future books?...Yes definitely, I have read 3 of his books so far and enjoyed them all, but hearing one for the first time was even better, as I could work whilst I listened. Loved it :)

A book that vibrates with life

Would you listen to The Virgin Way again? Why?

Yes, it is full of very useful tips for daily life

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Virgin Way?

Two very funny stories. One about the April's fool hot air balloon-UFO. The other about the Virgin Condom

Any additional comments?

Richard Branson’s starting point to everything is having a good time doing it and it also applies to writing a book. Because, as he says, “if you don’t have fun writing it, chances are that people won’t have fun reading it”. So true! So right! The result is a great book about business, but more so about being human and doing what you enjoy in order to give the best of you.

The Virgin Way is a perfect exemple of a human centered approach deeply rooted at every level in a company. Both the staff and the customers are central points. Care about your employees and they will care about the customers. Listen to the people who are daily in contact with customers, the employees. Care about what could make the customers feel better and how you can offer them a better service, something they will remember. Some very basic and simple facts, part of how Virgin does business and making a huge difference.

It’s also a book about a kind of bold spirit, the “Screw it, let’s do it!” attitude. It emphasizes the courage to follow your inner voice and to start right there. It’s also about being ready to make mistakes, because it is part of the game and it’s all right, as long as you learn from them and as long as you don’t repeat them again and again.

Written based on Richard Branson and Virgin’s more then 40 years experience in business, the book displays the Virgin Way by sharing concrete exemples and stories and it is a lot about praising and thanking people by telling their stories and showing how they incarnate the Virgin Way. That makes it’s one of these not-so-common-books that vibrates with life and gives energy, enthusiasm and inspiration.

Not exactly as I expected

What else would you have wanted to know about Richard Branson’s life?

I wanted to know more about personal habits and how he arranges his personal life... Not so much about that, except for in the beginning.