Book Review - It Doesn't Have to be Crazy at Work

So….this has never happened before…

I found myself trying to rush through a book. Simultaneously, trying to hide the book away for days at a time as to not get through it too fast. I wanted the time to digest some of the learnings. I can not think of a more fitting compliment in this review, than stating that;

I will read this book again, and again, and I can’t wait to do so!

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson are co-founders of IT company Basecamp. As an established, and successful company, in a highly competitive industry for near two decades, the founders have chosen to share some of their learnings with us. Thanks!

The book is, simply put, delightful to read. A quirky statement I know, but when an author uses less fancy language, fewer words, bigger fonts, less information per topic etc, it is often easier to understand the main concepts quicker. And what business person doesn’t appreciate efficiency? For this book, in particular, the point of making things easier is very fitting. One of the main points that the authors are trying to share: you can choose to create a better, more efficient and calm culture in your organisation. 

"A great work ethic isn’t about working whenever you’re called upon. It's about doing what you say you’re going to do, putting in a fair days work, respecting the work, respecting the customer, respecting coworkers, not wasting time, not creating unnecessary work for other people, and not being a bottleneck. Work ethic is about being a fundamentally good person that others can count on and enjoy working with.” 

- Fried and Hansson

Throughout the chapters, we are introduced to the why’s and how’s of many aspects of Basecamps business philosophy. It is an interesting journey. Don't confuse the word journey to mean that this is written as a story, it is split into multiple, smaller subtopics that are quick to read, and individually to be seen upon as small nuggets of alternative best practise.

Many of the aspects they touch upon are spot on in accordance to how I would love to be able to work myself. So, a valid question to ask oneself while writing this: Is the book really that great, to earn all my shameless praise?

Well, for some people maybe not. If you are a senior manager that has no interest in focusing on your employees' wellbeing, or a person that does not believe that there is another way to dong things than “what we have always done”, -you might find it a bunch of nonsense. However, the proof is in Basecamps success, and the sharing of their fundamental concepts behind it are most decently worth the praise. Some of the passages may not be as insightful, some of them you may even disagree upon. That's fine and normal. Take what learnings you can, adapt them to your company. Be calm. Be better.

Dear business owner, leader, colleague, student;

Instead of complaining the next time you feel that the culture at your workspace is not what it should be. You should read this book, get inspired to do some changes. If working in a way like this simply is not for you, it should be a highly valuable insight to see how others might imagine a perfect working environment.

Feel free to purchase the book here on my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/34NdGoq

#Shameless promotion: Feel free to connect!

If you need an external, to help you create a better overview of your business and look at ways you can improve your culture, don't be shy!

-Ragnar Syltevik-