Review by lspaul98 -- The Pro-Achievement Principle
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- Latest Review: The Pro-Achievement Principle by Dr. Deborah Bright
Review by lspaul98 -- The Pro-Achievement Principle
The newly-defined principle of pro-achievement has the promise to transform teams and drive personal and professional success. In The Pro-Achievement Principle: Cultivate Personal Skills for Effective Teams, Deborah S. Bright provides a comprehensive roadmap for how individuals can practice pro-achievement themselves and introduce it to their teams. Pro-achievement is presented as a self-discipline that can be learned and practiced in all areas of life. According to Bright, pro-achievers consistently add value to their undertakings through a sense of responsibleness and an achieving attitude. By going above and beyond to deliver results, pro-achievers add immense value to their teams and organizations. Throughout the book, Bright makes the case for how pro-achievement differs from other attributes and attitudes, then explains how individuals can practice pro-achievement, recruit pro-achievers, and instill pro-achievement among the teams they lead.
This book is short and to the point. Instead of getting caught up in describing the theory behind the pro-achievement principle, Bright uses real-world scenarios and samples of dialogue to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principle and how it manifests in real life. The book is divided into “lessons,” rather than chapters, and its smart organization makes it easy to use and reference, complete with take-away points at the end of each lesson and worksheets for self-evaluation. The methodical structure, simple writing style, and logical presentation of ideas allow the reader to quickly glean deep and practical insights about putting pro-achievement into practice.
While the book provides a great overview of the pro-achievement principle, at times the examples given can feel rudimentary. For example, the guide to recruiting and interviewing pro-achieving candidates seems aimed at a leader who has never before recruited for specific attributes, rather than for an established leader looking to enhance their recruiting process. At other times, the description of pro-achieving is so specific that it becomes slightly confusing; though Bright does a good job explaining that pro-achievement is a mindset driven ultimately by an achieving attitude, her analysis of the difference between mood and attitude is somewhat unclear. These shortcomings, however, are minor in comparison to the general clarity and depth of the book.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. While it is not a particularly captivating read, Bright’s book is clear and motivating, and Bright's handy tips for practicing pro-achievement are presented in such a way that they are immediately actionable. The short length and well-defined structure enable the reader to quickly develop a deep understanding of the importance of pro-achieving, contributing to the book’s success at persuading the reader to put Bright’s recommendation into practice.
This book is a quick read for busy professionals or others who work in teams. Though it seems to be aimed at leaders, it also includes meaningful guidance for any individual looking to excel in their careers or personal relationships. As a young professional, I found the beginning lessons related to attitude, adding value, and professional relationships particularly beneficial, and Bright’s advice seems useful for anyone in any career. The latter lessons about recruiting for pro-achievement and encouraging teams to adopt the practice of pro-achieving are directed toward team leaders, but still provide helpful insights for anyone who works within a team or leads in a less-traditional setting. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to advance in their career, improve their relationships, and find greater meaning in their work.
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The Pro-Achievement Principle
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