Reviews

How Will You Measure Your Life? (Harvard Business Review Classics) by Clayton M. Christensen

fairchildone's review against another edition

3.0

This was an expansion of Christensen's commencement address. The reason I give this a 3 is because I don't think the address really needed expanding. Some of it was repetitive, and sometimes I think his analogies between business principles and living life weren't quite there. If the book existed independent of the original address, I'd gladly give it a 4.

However, that said, lots of important lessons to take away from the book/speech. I think the most important takeaway is simply to think about how you will live your life: what are the values you will espouse, what is your purpose, how will you achieve your goals? The book gives us some tools to tackle those questions, and there's value in simply asking the reader to confront those questions. Reading the book with my wife led to interesting discussion--time well spent.

rodcasts's review against another edition

4.0

This book is a great overview of essential aspects of successful businesses, from the HR perspective to cultural and financial decisions. It is a useful book if you’re a leader of an organization like me or has ambitions to undertake not only managerial but general higher-up positions like becoming a parent.

TL;DR: Valuable takeaways for your career and life, highly recommend.

rrshippy's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.0

mikeplewis's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book. Not only did it have some interesting business analogies but it had some good advice on how to structure your life so you can ensure you're happy at work and at home. I recommend it.

sophieejs's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

3.25

Probably not for everyone and a bit obvious in spots but an easy reflective read that intertwines so business ideas with how you should approach your life quite well. 

divreadsbooks's review against another edition

1.0

The problem with bschool self help is that they think companies behave like people or that people behave like companies and both of those things are such bullshit

goel_1996's review against another edition

4.0

3.5

Reading the book, Clayton Christensen felt like a fatherly figure giving genuine life advice.
Usually, self-help books are action-based but this one will force you to ask the right questions.

Once you start asking the correct questions you will commence on the path of self-discovery.

Clayton Christensen passed away last year. May his soul rest in peace.

val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition

 (Tried to read this in May 2024) 

•  Hey, guess what? I just found the 10th DNF of the year lol 
• The way this books has so many little sections in each chapter only to end up talking a lot but ultimately saying nothing.
• It's been a bit more than 30% and I haven't learn anything. I think this book is full of just little obvious things you could've think by yourself.
• Anyways, Section 1 was more what I cared for because Section 2 is family and I don't have children, then I think it also involves religion? idk I’m fine without this
• I feel like I'll forget that I ever picked up this book lol

irfan3's review against another edition

4.0

An amazing account of how to live a fulfilling life by a Harvard Business School Professor.

missyjohnson's review against another edition

4.0

This was gifted to me and I will gift it to others. It would be an excellent book for newlyweds or new parents. Much of the information is similar to other books that I have read that were “business” related. This one differs in that it applies these same principles to family. Well done.