What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

First book I’ve finished since school started, yay! My brain is a bit too fried to write three main ideas, though I might come back later. Overall, I loved reading about how Schwarzman went from growing up in very modest circumstances in suburban Philly to managing one of the largest investment management firms in the world, and I thoroughly enjoyed following his journey. I think his biggest strengths are the following: willingness to challenge the status quo, whether as a hedge fund manager during the 2008 financial crisis (got rid of vulnerable real estate holdings, raised fund in advance), a young officer in the Army, or an undergrad advocating for parietals chutzpah - his story about getting ballerinas to perform at Yale as his entry into Skulls and Bones will always stay in mind; so impressed by his ingenuity. integrity and strong relationships - connected to the biggest names in business and politics (Kennedy Center, China) ability to synthesize ideas - I loved how Schwarzman des

First book I’ve finished since school started, yay! My brain is a bit too fried to write three main ideas, though I might come back later. Overall, I loved reading about how Schwarzman went from growing up in very modest circumstances in suburban Philly to managing one of the largest investment management firms in the world, and I thoroughly enjoyed following his journey. I think his biggest strengths are the following: willingness to challenge the status quo, whether as a hedge fund manager during the 2008 financial crisis (got rid of vulnerable real estate holdings, raised fund in advance),