I started reading Richard Branson’s autobiography last year (it is now May 2019). First of all I didn’t realise this is the second book which deals with his life from 1998. He has already set up the virgin brand by this point and it is more about how he expands his business into a global brand.
I don’t know what I was expecting from this book but I think it was something along a rags to riches story (maybe that is the first book). What this is, is a collection of stories at different stages in his life which aren’t in chronological order and it doesn’t really flow from one chapter to the next. However, he does have some great stories to tell and has clearly been through a lot in the business world and in his own personal life. With a number of near death experiences, so many in fact that it’s incredible he’s made it this far.
The latter chapters really inspired me much more than the first half of the book, which you could tell because all of the quotes I have taken from the book are from the second half. I think that is to do with the fact that it talks about things happening in the present day. He published this book in 2017 and explained his latest businesses which are pushing boundaries in the fields of travel. He speaks of Virgin Galactic which in 2019 (as I write this) is on the threshold of launching commercial space flights after many years of testing and set backs including the death of one of the test pilots. Virgin Hyperloop is revolutionising high speed transportation. Virgin Voyages, his cruise line which is due to set sail next year (2020).
He talks about his amazing home on the island of Necker in the British Virgin Islands. He covers his incredible number of businesses that he has set up and deals with in a hands off manner at this stage of his life, finding the correct people to delegate responsibility to. Richard clearly respects the people that work for him and Virgin seems like a great company to be part of because he is at the helm.
All in all, it is an inspiring book, with a lot of well learned lessons from someone who has led an extraordinary life.
Favourite quotes from the book:
“Nobody ever learned anything listening to themselves speak.” Page 249
“If people don’t respond to me as I suggest something, I know immediately they disagree. When this happens, I say, ‘I can tell by the fact you haven’t responded that you see it differently. What do you think?’.” Page 314
“The key enterprising skills I used when first starting out are the very same ones I use today: the art of delegation, risk taking, surrounding yourself with a great team and working on projects you really believe in.” Page 316
“Viewing situations from afar is sometimes clearer than being on the front line. In the UK they couldn’t see the woods for the trees.” Page 323
“It is worth remembering that people who run businesses see them as their children. As shareholders you’ve got to be very careful to give them the freedom and support to look after their children.” Page 323
“Ralph Waldo Emerson said it is not length of life, but depth of life” Page 349
“If you stop mistakes before they happen, life gets a lot easier.” Page 360
“Draw a small imaginary circle around yourself. Before you can do anything for others make sure you have the right balance and health in your life. Only then can you draw a slightly larger circle around your home that incorporates family, friends and neighbours and even the street outside your home. See how you can make a difference to everyone within that circle.” Page 372
“Any manager who punishes their staff for expressing an opinion hasn’t got the faintest idea about leadership. People in charge should empower their employees, not scare them into silence.” Page 382
“The more you support your staff, the healthier and happier your business will be.”Page 382
“A leader is someone who falls in love with the people they serve and allows the people to fall in love with them.” Page 405
“I have been happy to take all manner of chances, but I have always made sure I protected the downside.” Page 417
“If in doubt throw it out.” Page 426
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.” Page 428
“Regretting not doing something is worse than regretting doing something. It means I can sleep with a clear conscience.” Page 428
“We are all walking to the edge of a cliff we will all fall off.” Page 435
“Small steps make big strives.” Page 437
“Developing mental toughness isn’t just about being resilient – it’s about accessing your reserve tank when you think you can’t go any further.” Page 438
“One of the most wonderful, binding parts of any relationship is children.” Page 454
“There was an element to him of wanting to prove experts wrong, while pursuing what he was passionate about, that I liked. That’s often a recipe for success.” Page 463
“As I tell every young entrepreneur I meet asking for tips: keep it simple, stupid.” Page 469
“The way to become a great leader is to look for the best in people – seldom criticise – always praise.”Page 493
“2017 is a scary time to enter the world. The challenges facing us all, from threats to democracy to climate change, cannot be underestimated. The key is to see these as opportunities and embrace the challenge rather than shy away. I take great heart from new generations who are far more understanding, compassionate and purposeful than any that have gone before.” Page 494
“For many, many years at Virgin we were literally struggling to survive. It was a long learning process, with no outside financial backing, and we were fumbling in the dark. We hadn’t been taught what to do, we were learning on the job with no experience whatsoever. Everything was fresh and new, and there was a first time for everything.” Page 495
“You don’t learn to walk by following the rules. You learn by doing and falling over.” Page 496
Overall: 75%