I struggle reading Simon Sinek (I've only ready Start With Why) and it was so much fluff without in-depth concepts that were better explored elsewhere, he came across far too much as a pure marketer without actually understanding what he is talking about. I've lost all interest in reading his books but I frequently find them at the top of lists -- what do others get from them?
Sometimes common sense needs to be packaged up in a sellable format like a popular book. That makes it easier to adopt, refer to, etc than just saying “It’s common sense.”
I'm not saying it's common sense, I'm saying that there isn't real substance and that other popular books by authors who do present it with substance do it better.
Some of it absolutely seems like fluff or stating the obvious. That being said, the majority of the organizations out there do not walk the walk. Especially in product management, the actual product or output lacks a soul or purpose. I'd say that the majority of traditional companies and startups all suffer from this problem.
I've even worked at places with successful products where this mindset is missing, and the success is by accident or proxy to more solid endeavors.
Alignment with vision matters too. Too many companies are like many-headed hydras, where a role like Engineering SREs understand the value proposition and missing pieces of a product or offering better than the actual product management team and executive sponsor.
It's easy to say it's remedial, but it's more difficult for companies to actually live it and be successful because of it. Source: I seen't it.
I agree and prefer practical books, which there aren't enough of in the industry.
But it was helpful to start with his books early on in my career.
I wouldn't recommend to seasoned managers, as it does suffer from too much fluff as many business books do, but his message sets a good tone for new managers to aspire to.
It's just better to avoid writers who don't actually work anywhere. The true gold in terms of insights, are successful individuals who write books on the side.
