Great at Work

How Top Performers Do Less, Work Better, and Achieve More

By: Morten T. Hansen

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Wall Street Journal Business Bestseller
A Financial Times Business Book of the Month
Named by The Washington Post as One of the 11 Leadership Books to Read in 2018

From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Great by Choice comes an authoritative, practical guide to individual performance—based on analysis from an exhaustive, groundbreaking study.

Why do some people perform better at work than others? This deceptively simple question continues to confound professionals in all sectors of the workforce. Now, after a unique, five-year study of more than 5,000 managers and employees, Morten Hansen reveals the answers in his “Seven Work Smarter Practices” that can be applied by anyone looking to maximize their time and performance.

Each of Hansen’s seven practices is highlighted by inspiring stories from individuals in his comprehensive study. You’ll meet a high school principal who engineered a dramatic turnaround of his failing high school; a rural Indian farmer determined to establish a better way of life for women in his village; and a sushi chef, whose simple preparation has led to his restaurant (tucked away under a Tokyo subway station underpass) being awarded the maximum of three Michelin stars. Hansen also explains how the way Alfred Hitchcock filmed Psycho and the 1911 race to become the first explorer to reach the South Pole both illustrate the use of his seven practices (even before they were identified).

Each chapter contains questions and key insights to allow you to assess your own performance and figure out your work strengths, as well as your weaknesses. Once you understand your individual style, there are mini-quizzes, questionnaires, and clear tips to assist you focus on a strategy to become a more productive worker. Extensive, accessible, and friendly, Great at Work will help you achieve more by working less, backed by unprecedented statistical analysis.

Intriguing, research based, immediately applicable

A must for everyone who need a bit of research- robust help in today's fast pace office environment.

Great practical advice based on current research

The findings from Hansen’s research are very encouraging, fully supporting the work smart not hard philosophy. But there are a lot of facets to this as the research uncovers making this book a very worthwhile listen.

Wish I had read this earlier in my career!

This book is very data driven and also gives practical solutions to working smarter not harder. I would recommend it for anyone in the workplace today.

excellent. a must read for you about anyone

the seven key rules are timeless and highly accurate. I've started using some of these and already seen a notable difference, particularly around saying No and staying more focused.

Awesome overall rating

This book was highly recommended and as I started listening I was not overly impressed. However as I listened further I was very interested to hear the important messages shared by the author. The stories and examples shared resonated with me and my crusade to be a better worker and leader in my profession. I feel very blessed to have listened to the end and I feel I am and will be a better team player for reading and applying what is learned in this book.