Not sure I love the anecdote-based format; still, a good read that attempts to distill the ethos of a great figure, and how it can help lead great teams. ( )

I’ve read many books about the business world of Silicon Valley. There is one name mentioned frequently in these works; Bill Campbell. The biggest names in tech are associated with his name. Jobs, Bezos, Page, and Brin. These leaders looked to Campbell as a coach and mentor.

Trillion Dollar Coach, by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg, is all about the mythical Bill Campbell. The title is a reference to the value of companies he has helped coach.

The book comes in two parts, a biographical sketch of Campbell’s life, and examples of his Leadership teachings.

The best part of Trillion Dollar Coach is learning a little about Bill Campbell’s history. Beyond that, the book struggled to hold my attention. I wish it was more biographical in nature. I think I would have learned more if it was. There were a few anecdotes that were outstanding, but overall I don’t think the book was structured well. ( )

Good to know a guy thinking about others really thrived in Silicon Valley.
However, this is written by his friends, after Bill passed away. There is very little distance on the topic. ( )

“The Trillion Dollar Coach” is a strangely wonderful book.

At one level the authors wrote the eulogy of a man—Bill Campbell- whom they evidently respected very much.

At another level, it is a manual for managers and leaders.
The book contains many lessons on how to manage people.

The book has been laid out well. What I like about the book is that each section ends with the lesson/message summarized in a block.

The lessons may seem to be just common sense. Most people will read the book and say, “But, of course! This is obvious”.

Most of these people will not live the principles laid out in the book.
This is the difference between managers and leaders, as Bill Campbell seems to have said frequently.

I like the book. ( )