Working smarter not harder became a kind of mantra in my organisation as they fired yet another batch of "dead wood". The "dead wood" had joined the organisation, maybe 5-10 years before as "the bright young things" or as "new blood". It was hard not to become cynical! Nevertheless, I indulged in this kind of book because it actually offered some good techniques and ideas. I'm reviewing it now, just before I send it off for recycling but that doesn't detract from the fact that I think i gained something from it.
It seems to me that all of the working smarter techniques pretty much rely on making a list of things to do; then prioritising them in some way and then working on them in order of priority. And this book is pretty much the same. However, it doesn't just focus on work life but encourages the reader to apply the techniques to their whole life. Set long term goals and short term goals; set goals for recreational achievements etc. Today, I guess we call this having a bucket list of things you wish to achieve. It's now very dated. Originally came out in 1979 and this version was printed in 1993......so really pre-the personal computer age. And it shows. Nary a mention of computers but lots about delegation. And, to be honest, I think the delegation material is probably still applicable. I had an extremely competent staff member who seemed to be congenitally unable to delegate and insisted on doing it all herself. then she felt herself overworked! A couple of really good suggestions here: learn to say no to requests and have a list of "not-to-do" things....such as all low priority things, or things or things whose completion will have little or no consequence...anything that others should be doing for themselves. OK often there's a fine balancing act with these sort of things. I actually used to encourage my team to help others on the team out when one person was under a lot of pressure. And that was reciprocated when roles were reversed. I think it made for a much more effective team and certainly a happier team who enjoyed working together. We still get together 15 years later because we like each other. And there is one heading there that I really love: "Master the art of Deskmanship" .....sounds a bit sexist these days....and certainly sounds a little strange even in a time of hot-desking when you don't have a place to call your own. Ah....I enjoyed the days of large offices with desks and library shelves and filing cabinets ...with a secretary to take dictation and make one's travel bookings. But days long gone and never to return. Yes LeBoeuf suggests various sorts of spreadsheets but they are not computerised and there are no Gannt charts or pivot tables but the basic ideas are the same. It's really quite a useful little book to help one work smarter. Certainly dated now but it was useful to me at the time (early 90's) so I'm giving it three stars. ( )