Run with the Bulls Without Getting Trampled: The Qualities You Need to Stay Out of Harm's Way and Thrive at Work

The advice in this book extends beyond the professional world and echoes in everyday life. This makes sense; we don't live double-lives, and there exists no magic, secret formula for success in business, medicine, or raising kids. It comes down to basic human virtues. Commitment. Character. Competence. These attributes fuel the engines of success in life. It boggles the mind how many books or programs offer axiomatic platitudes such as "it's not what you know but who you know" or "success is what makes you happy, so be true to yourself." None such wasteful advice finds its way into this book. Rather, Dr. Irwin points out the objective, observable standards that exist in life, and our need to continually evaluate ourselves and measure our choices against those standards. As the book says; it's simple, but it isn't easy. I highly recommend this book.

Tim Irwin's book, "Run with the Bulls," is by far the most insightful business book I have read this year. It causes you to take a look beneath the surface and determine how you can lead a life of significance and find meaning in your work. There are very few business books that take you to this level of personal reflection. "Run with the Bulls" is one of them.

"Run with the Bulls" offers a practical approach to finding meaning and fulfillment in our careers. Tim Irwin uses straightforward language to express complex ideas. He has an engaging way with personal anecdotes that serve both to clarify his themes and share aspects of his family life. One of the book's many pleasures is its frequent use of cultural references. Dr Irwin's interests range from "New Yorker" cartoons to TS Eliot to popular movies like "Groundhog Day." His experience as a psychologist has given him unique insight into the complex issues that so often derail our attempts to pursue excellence.

"Run with the Bulls" is hard book to put down. I savored each chapter. The author tells real life stories as the foundation for a powerful message on principles of leadership. After reading the book I passed it on to my 18 year-old son who read it in a week. I wish I had known the principles which Irwin sets forth so clearly when I began my career! The stampeding bulls will trample the energy and enthusiasm out of many young professionals. I ordered six copies for my family members to help them avoid that fate.

I've not necessarily related my work career with the "running of the bulls" in Pamplona. But there are some good analogies to be drawn in the book Run With the Bulls Without Getting Trampled: The Qualities You Need to Stay Out of Harm's Way and Thrive at Work by Tim Irwin, Ph.D. This is a book I'd recommend to anyone looking to survive in the business world with their integrity and morals intact. Contents: The Run Section 1 - Thoughtful Commitment: Run to Win; The Arena; Getting to the Arena Section 2 - Authentic Character: Run by the Rules; Keep on Running; Don't Get Disqualified from the Race Section 3 - Exceptional Competence: Make Sure You're Fit to Run; Run Well with Others; Run with Skill; Run Your Best Race Epilogue; Introduction to Online Assessment and Developmental Resources; Notes; Index A few years back, the author went with his son to Pamplona to experience the "running of the bulls." It was a life-changing experience for him, and he found a number of similarities to life in the business world. The entity that is your organization is the bull, and it has just one thing on its mind... getting to the arena. Whatever it does to you in that process (trampling, goring, etc.) isn't personal... it's just the nature of the bull. Once you understand that key point, you can start to figure out how to successfully make it to the arena along with the bull. By running with commitment, character, and competence, you can navigate the pitfalls and perils that exist. I found many parts of this book that resonated with me, far too many to try and put into a short review. But one example is the section on committing to a life of significance, and how work life needs to contribute to that. There's a "preflight checklist" that you can use to measure your current situation... Does it inspire passion? Fit who we are? Does it serve others? Provide meaning? I found myself counting my blessings that I have a very good work situation that meets many of these criteria. But it's always a good idea to review your situation with a book like this to make course corrections before you get too bogged down in a dead end situation. An excellent read, and one that I found truly inspirational...