Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What It Takes summary
Brief summary
What It Takes by Stephen A. Schwarzman is a memoir that shares valuable lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship, and building relationships. Schwarzman's journey from humble beginnings to founding Blackstone is both inspiring and insightful.
Topics
Table of Contents
What It Takes
Summary of key ideas
The Early Years: A Foundation for Ambition
In What It Takes, Stephen Schwarzman takes us on a journey through his life, beginning with his formative years. He describes his middle-class upbringing in Philadelphia, where his parents instilled in him the values of hard work, resilience, and ambition. These early experiences laid the foundation for his future success, teaching him the importance of resourcefulness and adaptability.
Schwarzman's academic journey took him to Yale, where he honed his intellectual prowess and developed his passion for finance. He shares how his time at Yale, particularly his involvement in the Skull and Bones society, exposed him to a network of influential individuals and shaped his understanding of power dynamics in the world of business and politics.
The Early Career: Navigating the Corporate Ladder
After graduating from Yale, Schwarzman embarked on his professional journey, landing a job at Lehman Brothers. He quickly ascended the ranks, showcasing his knack for deal-making and strategic thinking. His time at Lehman Brothers not only honed his financial acumen but also exposed him to the high-stakes world of investment banking, setting the stage for his future endeavors.
Despite his success at Lehman Brothers, Schwarzman felt the urge to chart his own course. This led him to co-found Blackstone, a private equity firm that would become one of the most influential players in the global financial landscape. He provides an insider's perspective on the early days of Blackstone, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of building a business from the ground up.
Building Blackstone: The Art of Deal-Making
At the heart of What It Takes lies Schwarzman's deep dive into the inner workings of Blackstone. He shares the firm's guiding principles, emphasizing the importance of risk management, thorough due diligence, and strategic decision-making. Schwarzman also delves into the art of deal-making, offering valuable insights into negotiating complex transactions and identifying lucrative investment opportunities.
Under Schwarzman's leadership, Blackstone expanded its reach beyond private equity into areas such as real estate and hedge funds, solidifying its position as a financial powerhouse. He attributes much of Blackstone's success to its ability to adapt to market dynamics and seize opportunities, a lesson he believes is crucial for any business looking to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Lessons in Leadership: Navigating Challenges
Throughout What It Takes, Schwarzman reflects on his role as a leader and the challenges that come with steering a global enterprise. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong corporate culture, attracting top talent, and maintaining a clear strategic vision. Schwarzman also shares his approach to managing crises, drawing from his experiences navigating Blackstone through periods of financial instability and market turbulence.
Another critical aspect of Schwarzman's leadership philosophy is philanthropy. He discusses the importance of giving back to society and shares his experiences establishing the Schwarzman Scholars program, a prestigious initiative aimed at grooming future global leaders through a fully-funded master's degree in China.
Looking Ahead: The Pursuit of Excellence
In the final sections of What It Takes, Schwarzman offers his insights on the future of finance, business, and global affairs. He discusses the impact of technological advancements and geopolitical shifts on the financial industry, highlighting the need for adaptability and foresight in an increasingly interconnected world.
Ultimately, What It Takes serves as a roadmap for success, drawing from Schwarzman's remarkable journey from a middle-class upbringing to the pinnacle of the financial world. His story is one of ambition, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence, offering valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone looking to make an impact.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is What It Takes about?
What It Takes by Stephen A. Schwarzman provides a firsthand account of the author's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a billionaire investor and philanthropist. Through insightful anecdotes and valuable lessons, Schwarzman shares the principles and strategies that have shaped his success in business and life. This book offers practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to achieve their goals and make a difference.
What It Takes Review
What It Takes (2019) by Stephen A. Schwarzman gives invaluable insights into the world of business and finance. Here's why this book stands out:
- Offers practical strategies for achieving success in business and life, providing a roadmap for ambitious individuals.
- Through personal experiences and lessons learned, it offers a glimpse into the mind of a prominent figure in finance.
- The book's engaging storytelling and valuable takeaways ensure that readers stay captivated, making it an enlightening and worthwhile read.
Who should read What It Takes?
Individuals seeking insights into the mindset and strategies of a successful business leader
Entrepreneurs looking to navigate challenges and make the most of opportunities in the business world
Professionals aiming to enhance their leadership skills and achieve personal and professional growth
Categories with What It Takes
Book summaries like What It Takes
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
What It Takes FAQs
What is the main message of What It Takes?
Achieving success requires determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.
How long does it take to read What It Takes?
The time to read What It Takes varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read quickly.
Is What It Takes a good book? Is it worth reading?
What It Takes is worth reading for its insights into leadership and business. A must-read for those seeking inspiration.
Who is the author of What It Takes?
The author of What It Takes is Stephen A. Schwarzman.
What to read after What It Takes?
If you're wondering what to read next after What It Takes, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Emergency by Neil Strauss
- The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Man Who Fed the World by Leon Hesser
- Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
- Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh
- Do No Harm by Henry Marsh