When They Win, You Win Book Summary - When They Win, You Win Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

When They Win, You Win summary

Russ Laraway

Being a Great Manager Is Simpler Than You Think

4.3 (203 ratings)
14 mins

Brief summary

When They Win, You Win by Russ Laraway is a guide to nurturing and developing talent within organizations. It offers practical advice on how to support and empower others to achieve their goals, ultimately benefitting both the individual and the team.

Table of Contents

    When They Win, You Win
    Summary of 5 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 5

    Working with the “Big 3”

    Have you ever suffered under bad management? Perhaps you’ve struggled with unclear direction from your boss. Or lacked coaching to develop your skills. Or felt adrift in your job without guidance on advancing your career. It might only be a small consolation, but if so, you’re only one of many.

    Most managers fail to lead their teams effectively. But there’s a simple formula, used by some of the best managers in the world, that’s proven to engage employees and drive results. It comes down to what’s known as the Big 3 – direction, coaching, and career support.

    First comes direction. This means clearly communicating expectations and priorities. It requires defining a long-term purpose and vision as well as short-term goals and sharing these openly with your employees. Surprisingly, even good managers often fail to provide this clarity.

    Second is coaching. Employees need frequent feedback on what they're doing well so they can repeat it. They also need constructive criticism to continuously improve. Good managers also make room for their employees’ ideas, applying them when possible and refining them as needed.

    Finally, career support entails guiding team members' growth beyond promotions. It means understanding their aspirations and actively assisting their development. This shows care for employees as human beings, not just workers.

    Ample data shows that the Big 3 behaviors measurably improve employee engagement. And increased engagement has been linked to productivity, profitability, and other key measures of good business. When managers embrace direction, coaching, and career support, it creates a cycle of winning for employees, leaders, and the business.

    Want to see all full key ideas from When They Win, You Win?

    Key ideas in When They Win, You Win

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is When They Win, You Win about?

    When They Win, You Win (2022) is your guide to being a great manager. This playbook reveals the simple leadership principles that unlock your employees’ full potential, create happy, engaged teams, and drive better business results.

    When They Win, You Win Review

    When They Win, You Win (2020) by Russ Laraway is a captivating book that reveals the secrets of thriving in a competitive work environment. Here's why you should add it to your reading list:

    • It offers practical strategies and actionable tips to help you succeed and excel in your career.
    • With real-life stories and examples, it gives you valuable insights into the mindset and behaviors of high-performing individuals.
    • It keeps you hooked with its fascinating anecdotes and compelling narratives, making it a meaningful and enjoyable read.

    Who should read When They Win, You Win?

    • Managers and leaders looking to improve employee satisfaction
    • Founders and entrepreneurs seeking to build effective teams and retain top talent
    • Business school students studying organizational behavior and human resources

    About the Author

    Russ Laraway is the chief people officer at Goodwater Capital. He’s previously held leadership roles at Qualtrics, Google, and Twitter, and cofounded financial tool company Candor, Inc. Drawing on his experience as a former US Marine Corps commander and Wharton MBA, he brings a unique perspective on linking employee experience with business results.

    Categories with When They Win, You Win

    Book summaries like When They Win, You Win

    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
    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

    When They Win, You Win FAQs 

    What is the main message of When They Win, You Win?

    The main message of When They Win, You Win is to embrace a collaborative approach to success and to support others in order to achieve your own goals.

    How long does it take to read When They Win, You Win?

    The reading time for When They Win, You Win varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is When They Win, You Win a good book? Is it worth reading?

    When They Win, You Win is an insightful read with practical advice on collaboration and achieving success. It's definitely worth your time.

    Who is the author of When They Win, You Win?

    The author of When They Win, You Win is Russ Laraway.

    What to read after When They Win, You Win?

    If you're wondering what to read next after When They Win, You Win, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Leading from the Middle by Scott Mautz
    • Radical Candor (new version) by Kim Scott
    • Rhinoceros Success by Scott Alexander
    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday
    • The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane
    • Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    • How to Know a Person by David Brooks
    • Agile Selling by Jill Konrath
    • Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute