The Hard Thing About Hard Things
5.0
12 min

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

by Ben Horowitz

Brief Summary

“The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz describes diverse elements of leadership and management in the business world. The main aspects are the CEO’s challenges, the skills of good leaders, and the personnel’s well-being and training. It gives actionable advice on how to minimize corporate politics and understand employee ambitions.

Key points

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What does it mean to be a leader? A huge number of missions are at the disposal of leaders. When hearing about CEOs, many people think about the absolute and instant success and benefits of such a position. However, leaders face many barriers and challenges.

The first challenge pops up right after the start. In the beginning, the entrepreneur has a clear vision of success and gathers the smartest people with the necessary skills together to create a product that satisfies customers. After some time, the reality may be unexpected. The created product isn’t perfect, and there are no ways to improve it. Market conditions are unfavorable and hinder achievements. The company loses employees. Here, we meet the Struggle, an inherent part of a business routine. That’s how empires are built. Among the bright examples are Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, who faced it and succeeded. You already know what the Struggle is, so it’s your turn to act. Here are some tips that may help you.

Firstly, share duties. None of us is almighty. Thus, delegating authority is crucial for work efficiency, as the leader has to solve a range of diverse tasks. When Horowitz faced difficulties as the leader of Opsware, the only solution was to share tasks and make the team work. As a result, they created a perfect product and overcame a deadlock.

The next tip is to act and take risks. There is no better moment to make a move than now. The whole business system is so complicated that you mustn’t be slow, or others will destroy you. Finally, take responsibility. Your mistakes and achievements are the result of your choices. Don’t be afraid to act, but always be ready to face reality. If you are courageous enough and have the balls to keep going, you’ll find your path.

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Facing struggles and taking risks is crucial for business success
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To be a good leader, envision clear goals and prioritize company well-being
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Focus on profitable opportunities in Peacetime or navigate survival challenges in Wartime
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Invest in training and take care of your people
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Address complex business problems with "silver bullets" and "lead bullets"
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Minimize politics by improving management techniques and hiring the right employees
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Learn the value of employees' ambitions for a company's success
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Consider the potential for growth and leadership when selling the company
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