Scaling Up Excellence: Getting to More Without Settling for Less

Finally got around to reading this after seeing it on Adam Grant’s recommendation list, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The distinction between 'plumbing' and 'poetry' is a game-changer for anyone trying to grow a business without losing its soul. I loved the story about the Taj Hotel employees; it really illustrated what it means to have a mindset where 'I own the place and the place owns me.' The book is packed with well-researched content that feels both practical and deeply inspiring. It’s rare to find a business book that balances high-level strategy with the gritty details of implementation so effectively. Truly energized by these insights!

Wow. This is easily one of the most thought-provoking business books I’ve picked up in years. The 'scaling premortem' exercise alone is worth the price of admission; our team tried it last week and it surfaced risks we hadn’t even considered. I love the mantra 'argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.' It perfectly captures the culture of excellence the authors are trying to promote. Every chapter offers a wealth of real-world learnings that are applicable to both giant corporations and tiny startups. If you want to build a sustainable organization, you need to read this.

Picked this up expecting a dry management manual, but I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging and human it is. The authors really get that scaling isn't just about numbers; it's about shifting mindsets across an entire organization. Truth is, I’ve already started applying the 'addition and subtraction' rule to our weekly meetings to cut out the unnecessary overhead. The case studies are diverse and provide a lot of perspective-changing moments. It’s easily one of the best books I’ve read this year for understanding the complex issues of growth. Highly recommended for anyone in a leadership position.

As someone who manages a small but rapidly growing team, I found the section on adding and subtracting structure incredibly relevant. Sutton and Rao argue that you shouldn't just scale for the sake of footprint, and that really resonated with me. To be fair, some of the analogies—like the Buddhism vs. Catholicism comparison—felt a bit forced and oversimplified. However, the core lessons on accountability and moving from System 1 to System 2 thinking are gold. The book is easy to read despite being dense with information. It’s a solid resource for anyone navigating the 'big dumb company' disease.

Ever wonder why some great ideas never take off while others spread like wildfire? This book dives deep into the 'people stuff' that usually scales the worst. I particularly enjoyed the section on how bad behavior spreads faster than good behavior and why it’s vital to 'fear the clusterfug.' The writing is engaging and the stories are memorable, though I agree with other reviewers that it can be a bit wordy in places. In my experience, the advice on slowing down to scale faster is something every executive needs to hear. It’s a very well-researched and insightful read.

The chapter on accountability was the highlight for me. It’s not just about giving people tasks; it’s about fostering a sense of ownership where everyone feels responsible for the collective outcome. Sutton and Rao do a great job of linking short-term realities to long-term dreams. I did find some of the phrasing—like 'I own the place and the place owns me'—a little weird, but the underlying concept is powerful. The book provides a great lens for viewing organizational growth. It’s a bit long, but the wealth of examples makes the concepts stick much better than a dry textbook would.

Scaling excellence isn't just about footprint; it's about mindset. That’s the core takeaway here, and Sutton and Rao drive it home with some truly enlightening stories. I was fascinated by the Zynga example regarding promotions—the idea that you have to bring someone up with you to move up yourself is brilliant. Gotta say, the book is a little repetitive, but that might be intentional to make the 'mantras' stick. It addresses many relevant topics that other business books ignore. While it could have been 50 pages shorter, the quality of the research and the writing make it a must-read.

Look, the advice here is undeniably solid, but the delivery is a bit of a mess. I appreciated the case studies on Adobe and Salesforce, particularly the bit about letting employees choose their teams, but the overall organization felt disjointed. It's essentially a list of loosely connected ideas that are too long to fully digest in one sitting. Not gonna lie, I found myself skimming several sections that felt repetitive. Is it a good book? Yes. Is it a revolutionary one? Probably not if you've been in management for a while. It’s a decent collection of common sense backed by some interesting research.

To say this drags would be an understatement. I struggled through the first few chapters because the authors spent way too much time praising their own research methods rather than getting to the point. Frankly, I was looking for actionable steps, but instead, I got a pile of anecdotes that felt more like name-dropping than actual guidance. While the concept of avoiding a 'clusterfug' is catchy, the writing style is just too wordy for a busy professional. It’s a laborious read that repeats the same three points over and over. I really wanted to like this, but it felt like a chore.

I found the organization of this book incredibly frustrating. Instead of a clear framework, Sutton and Rao provide an endless stream of anecdotes that feel more like name-dropping than integrated lessons. For example, the focus on 'plumbing' over 'poetry' is a great concept, but it gets buried under repetitive lists that are hard to remember. Personally, I was disappointed by the lack of concrete, step-by-step instructions. It’s all very high-level and theoretical. If you enjoy reading about 'interesting people' the authors know, you might like it, but I found very little practical value here.