Ended up getting this book afterward for myself, it's quite an inspiring and thought-provoking book with lots of practical insights.

An inspirational book that is interesting and encouraging without the sometimes preachy tone that can arise in this genre. I liked the collegiate feel of this book, how to strive for success through team work and mutual encouragement. Often business-based self-help books can promote a race to the top, cut-throat attitude but this book made a refreshing change. Thanks NetGalley!

Shawn is an author who writes in such a way to provoke deep thoughts from the reader. In this book, he does not disappoint.

In this book, he shows how collaboration fosters innovation. He then provides steps on how readers can leverage the power of people around you to do and be more.

If you are looking for a book to help you learn how to work with others and collaborate effectively, this is one for your bookshelf.

I knew the minute I started reading Big Potential, it would be a valuable source of information for me. I’ve been struggling recently in regards to a sole venture and Big Potential has helped me to make a decision in regards to that issue. There are plently of anecdotes that illustrate just how important it is to work with others and how being and working alone isn’t always the best solution.

A very practical book on how to work with others so everyone benefits.

A little long winded at times, a cheat sheet with a summary of the strategies would have been really useful. Nevertheless, overall, this was a fascinating insight into how we could all achieve so much more by cooperating instead of competing.

I've already started to put some of the suggestions into practice, so I'll soon see if it works.

Thought provoking and insightful, this well written book is definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I got this book via netgalley and although I’d read the description at the time of requesting I’d completely forgotten what it was about by the time I came to read it.

I’ve not read Shawn’s previous books but I really like the way he writes, he’s really descriptive with the stories that he tells. I think that’s to make sure that you understand why he’s telling you what he’s telling you!

It’s a thought provoking book, with some really good topics and methods contained within it. It also makes a lot of sense. I’ve definitely taken some top tips from it to put into use.

Some good tips, very logical and common sense ways to manage a team and create success for all!
Some good tips, very logical and common sense ways to manage a team and create success for all!

The self-help genre is huge and diverse. That broad spectrum can make people, and I include myself in this, somewhat cynical about just what they'll find when they open up a book like this. From my perspective, we generally like such books if they tell us things we either know or that fit our general worldview. On those points, this book pretty much ticks the boxes for me - be happy and cooperate, and everyone does better for it. I like that. Even if you're the ultra-competitive Type A anti-thesis that Achor frequently critiques you're likely reading this book because you want to get off that particular hamster wheel so you'll buy into the message. And that's why these books generally work, the audience is largely self-selecting.

And on the logic anyone who can't buy into the logic of helping the people around them has already given up on this whole affair, it's a good book. Forget the concept for a moment, I'm talking about the delivery. Achor manages to deliver his core message for multiple environments. He makes many references to his young son that helps to both offer a very simplified real-world example of these actions in practice but also have the benefit of showing how these skills can be transferred. Unsurprisingly, there is something of a bias towards the business world. However, there are also a number of good case studies in academia which again show the potential application in a broad scope of life. Which is also where this helps lift itself from a slightly simple concept in a self-help book - Achor (and his team) have some research to support their claims. Admittedly some have more substance than others, but there is enough going on to accept it's more than just the author's hunch.

It's a nice easy read and there are some very interesting pieces of information thrown in. The simplicity of teamwork does mean that it is very easy to apply a number of these lessons in various aspects of your life too. However, I find the book slightly too optimistic overall. Achor happily offers comparisons where a strong team outperform better individuals who don't work together, he also talks about the way leaders need to get the team to buy into teamwork, but it all glosses over the reality that exists - converting people who don't automatically buy into the concept can be hard. And we're back at the concept that these books often preach to the converted. Whilst there is talk of empowering people in lowly positions a lot of that empowerment still has to come from the top. And while a business can take a tough decision to axe a team member who doesn't fall into a co-operative line, the breadth of this advice falls down when, for example, faced with a child who doesn't want to become co-operative. So there are limitations and realities which don't get addressed when trying to implement this, and that's a shame because those situations are the more difficult ones that people would likely appreciate the most help with.

What remains is a good book to pass around a team. To help get them on board with better performance. It works well if you're in a position where you can influence a team. I know I picked up some very important details that I'll be looking to act upon and I think most people who read the book will feel likewise. If you're in a team that doesn't quite click, this could be the book for you.

IT was a good business book with lots of examples but it could do without some of the references his previous book! I've come away with tips but I'm not sure it's as groundbreaking as the author hopes. A sheet at the end will all his tips in one place would have been useful too. Good but not brilliant.