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    What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence
    What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence
    What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence
    Audiobook10 hours

    What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

    Written by Stephen A. Schwarzman

    Narrated by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Drew Birdseye

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

    From Blackstone chairman, CEO, and co-founder Stephen A. Schwarzman, a long-awaited book that uses impactful episodes from Schwarzman's life to show readers how to build, transform, and lead thriving organizations. Whether you are a student, entrepreneur, philanthropist, executive, or simply someone looking for ways to maximize your potential, the same lessons apply.

    People know who Stephen Schwarzman is—at least they think they do. He’s the man who took $400,000 and co-founded Blackstone, the investment firm that manages over $500 billion (as of January 2019). He’s the CEO whose views are sought by heads of state. He’s the billionaire philanthropist who founded Schwarzman Scholars, this century’s version of the Rhodes Scholarship, in China. But behind these achievements is a man who has spent his life learning and reflecting on what it takes to achieve excellence, make an impact, and live a life of consequence.

    Folding handkerchiefs in his father’s linen shop, Schwarzman dreamed of a larger life, filled with purpose and adventure. His grades and athleticism got him into Yale. After starting his career in finance with a short stint at a financial firm called DLJ, Schwarzman began working at Lehman Brothers where he ascended to run the mergers and acquisitions practice. He eventually partnered with his mentor and friend Pete Peterson to found Blackstone, vowing to create a new and different kind of financial institution.

    Building Blackstone into the leading global financial institution it is today didn’t come easy. Schwarzman focused intensely on culture, hiring great talent, and establishing processes that allow the firm to systematically analyze and evaluate risk. Schwarzman’s simple mantra “don’t lose money” has helped Blackstone become a leading private equity and real estate investor, and manager of alternative assets for institutional investors globally. Both he and the firm are known for the rigor of their investment process, their innovative approach to deal making, the diversification of their business lines, and a conviction to be the best at everything they do.

    Schwarzman is also an active philanthropist, having given away more than a billion dollars. In philanthropy, as in business, he is drawn to situations where his capital and energy can be applied to drive transformative solutions and change paradigms, notably in education. He uses the skills learned over a lifetime in finance to design, establish, and support impactful and innovative organizations and initiatives. His gifts have ranged from creating a new College of Computing at MIT for the study of artificial intelligence, to establishing a first-of-its-kind student and performing arts center at Yale, to enabling the renovation of the iconic New York Public Library, to founding the Schwarzman Scholars fellowship program at Tsinghua University in Beijing—the single largest philanthropic effort in China’s history from international donors.

    Schwarzman’s story is an empowering, entertaining, and informative guide for anyone striving for greater personal impact. From deal making to investing, leadership to entrepreneurship, philanthropy to diplomacy, Schwarzman has lessons for how to think about ambition and scale, risk and opportunities, and how to achieve success through the relentless pursuit of excellence. Schwarzman not only offers readers a thoughtful reflection on all his own experiences, but in doing so provides a practical blueprint for success.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateSep 17, 2019
    ISBN9781508279150
    Author

    Stephen A. Schwarzman

    Stephen A. Schwarzman is Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment firms. Mr. Schwarzman is an active philanthropist with a history of supporting education, culture, and the arts, among other areas. Mr. Schwarzman holds a BA from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in New York City with his wife and three dogs.

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    Reviews for What It Takes

    4.5/5

    166 ratings15 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Definitely belongs in the ranks of Barbarians At The Gate & Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I do not generally read books of this kind, but I was drawn to this one because of my interest in encouraging one of my grandsons to consider an engineering career that embraces Artificial Intelligence. The subject of the book is not AI but a reflection of a very successful person’s desire for the next generation to embrace responsible AI efforts.
    • 5/5
      Excellent, so well written . Loved that it was both a biography and informative about the industry and PE terms etc
    • 5/5
      Great stories and even better lessons. Really enjoyed it.
    • 5/5
      Steve gives powerful insights. I think reading this book is valuable, you can have your own thoughts about leveraged buyouts for example, but on and all you can percibe his sharp thinking for any given situation.
    • 4/5
      Great lessons on doing business and how to do them the right way ,similar to ray dalio principles, his financial wisdom and lessons are priceless.
    • 5/5
      De esos libros que no quisiera que terminaran. Cada línea trae sabiduría e imprimen la mentalidad de una de las mentes más interesantes de nuestro tiempo
    • 4/5
      An excellent business memoir of the founder Alan Schwarzman. He definitely threw more light in the private equity business, and shows you building a business is a hard and fulfilling exercise. Inspirational to entrepreneurs and business owners.
    • 5/5
      Fulfilled to have such a luxury of hearing such a great leader humbly articulating his mindset
    • 5/5
      Fascinating book! Mr. Schwarzman’s perspective was stunningly refreshing. The reader’s voice was wonderful, too. Great listen! Strongly recommend!
    • 5/5
      Incredible story and very inspiring, I highly recommend for all entrepreneurs
    • 5/5
      Book gives you a peek on the decisions of a true billionaire
    • 5/5
      Great book about an amazing life story and career. Audio book is incredible with several areas summarized by the author.
    • 3/5
      This is an autobiography and it’s pretty dry if your not familiar with his industry. The stories are very good, and the narrator did wonderfully. Skip to chapter 30 for the actual “lessons for excellence”...
    • 5/5
      Awesome insight and tremendous perspective!! I highly suggest you hear!