F*CK ME RUNNING (A BUSINESS)!

A business executive distills some basic lessons from his long experience in this debut guide.

As Garrett points out in his book, running a business is a fiercely complicated project, one in which the demands of practical matters can swamp all other concerns, even important things such as establishing the right corporate “culture” for the company itself. “When you’re running a business, trying to hit financial goals, stay on top of industry trends, and deal with colleagues, customers, and staff,” he writes, “culture isn’t exactly top of mind.” And yet the culture of a business can be crucial—so the author urges his readers to get out ahead of it and establish it first. His insights about the interpersonal elements of the business world are the most intriguing aspects of his manual. The qualities of corporate leadership are a persistent theme. “You’re not there to vent, commiserate, or empathize,” he writes, in sentiments that go against the grain of many contemporary business books. “You have to connect with people and let them know they can talk to you, but you are not their therapist.” This kind of straightforward assessment also applies to Garrett’s look at the nuances of having a business partner. “A partnership is like a marriage, and the business is your baby,” he writes in a startling passage. “You need to be on the same page about how you’ll care for it and what you want for its future.” The discussion about partnerships of all kinds is specific and detailed, and all of it is grounded in incidents from the author’s own business life. He smoothly incorporates many anecdotes into a broader narrative that stresses the burdens of leadership. “You must manage yourself differently so you can manage your people,” he reminds would-be leaders. “That’s on you, not them.” Those potential leaders will find a great deal of hard-won lessons in these pages.

Useful and engagingly written advice from a seasoned business leader.