Revved!
Authors: Harry Paul and Ross Reck
Price: £8.99
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Pages: 150
ISBN: 0071465006
This is a US business story, just like one of the author’s previous motivational book, Fish! It’s easy to read, you can see where the story is going straight from the start, and some parts are a bit corny. However, if you can look past that, this is a fabulous book. I know so many bosses who could benefit from its simple philosophy, its accessibility and, at £8.99, its exceptional value for money.
The story looks at an HR supervisor, Katie, who was once effective and popular at work. Disaster strikes her marriage, and she closes up emotionally to her colleagues. Recognising the impact this is having, she seeks help. Her saviour is Dr Allen, who hosts a career/self-improvement radio show. Before long, he has taught her the three simple lessons to get her life and career back on track. First, win them over – turn employees into allies. Second, blow them away – single out employees who have “gone the extra mile for you”. Third, keep them “revved” – how to sustain “blowing them away” on a daily basis.
The first lesson illustrates that you can’t invest in a relationship with people without caring about them. But while smiling at people in a corridor is one thing, the second lesson, to me, is more significant. It made me reconsider how to praise people who have gone the extra mile, the idea being that if an employee goes beyond their role to complete a task, the boss needs to do the same to reward them. Writing a thank you e-mail isn’t enough. I felt the final lesson was skimmed over a little, but the book does contain an action plan on how to implement the ideas within a team.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Useful? 5 out of 5
Well-written? 4 out of 5
Practical? 4 out of 5
Inspirational? 5 out of 5
Value for money? 5 out of 5
Overall 4 out of 5
Reviewed by Richard Moss, training consultant and coach/mentor
