Book Review: The Truth About You

I mistakenly assumed a relatively small book (less than 10,000 words) dealing with a specific topic would be easy to review. I suppose it’s a little like giving a speech. It takes as much, if not more, effort to make a good five minute speech as it does a good hour long speech. Marcus Buckingham’s The Truth About You intrigued me by its philosophical title and by the reputation of the author/speaker. Since first laying hold on the book back in early December, 2008, I have read and reread it a dozen times, watched the included DVD alone and with family and friends on 8 separate occasions, and spent several hours at the marcusbuckingham.com website watching additional videos and studying the resources. In addition to reading and watching, this book requires actively exercising a set of daily routines in order to accurately identify and assess two or three true strengths and true weaknesses.

The book follows the DVD, pretty much, and even some of the script seems word for word from the book, or is it the other way around? In either case, the title could better be written: HOW TO IDENTIFY the truth about your true strengths and weaknesses. Marcus gets to the point directly at the outset that he has something else in mind than the status quo assumptions that strengths equal what you do well or where you’ve succeeded, and weaknesses are what you have not done well or where you experienced defeat. He also asserts that our personality and talents are intertwined and may be further enhanced and developed, but won’t fundamentally change. The video portion of the book is extremely persuasive in dispelling a few myths concerning some preconceived notions about career, promotions, job satisfaction, and personal success. The book itself is meant to be read following the watching of the video, and I personally think it is important to do it in that order to gain the full benefit of the author’s skill in conveying his ideas.

In addition to the video and text, there is a Rememo-pad to be used in the daily exercise of recording thoughts designed to help answer the two questions: 1) what are my strengths, and 2) what are my weaknesses?

Marcus brings all these tools to bear with the purpose to 1) dispel myths about strengths, weaknesses, and personality, 2) equip us to better understand and define what our true strengths and weaknesses are, and 3) form a weekly plan that will help us take advantage of our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.

So, how well does the book/video/ReMemo pad do its job? For the target audience: young people trying to figure out their future career direction as well as older individuals, such as myself, who anticipate making a significant shift in their career or job function, this is an excellent resource. I would also encourage anyone in human resources, personnel development, and career counseling to familiarize themselves with the lessons in this book. Marcus Buckingham has crafted a simple, timeless, and highly effective resource. Don’t start or change careers without reading this.