What It Takes - Stephen A. Schwarzman

What It Takes

By Stephen A. Schwarzman

  • Release Date: 2019-09-17
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 328 Ratings)

Book Synopsis

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.

Tags in Biographies & Memoirs : What It Takes Stephen A. Schwarzman ebook , What It Takes Stephen A. Schwarzman epub , What It Takes Stephen A. Schwarzman AUDIOBOOK , What It Takes by Stephen A. Schwarzman ePub (.epub) , What It Takes book review , Biographies & Memoirs

Latest Impressions

  • Good work. Good book.

    5
    By Deagonbear
    I’m not even in finance and find this fascinating. Big beats, smart man, a lot of $$ great work writing a great book. D
  • What it takes

    4
    By 55KTW
    I have to say such a wonderful read, but more importantly is the time he gives to others. In all my reading, I have not seen this leadership of a person to shake hands and meet with his people, ones that are successful and those not. Additionally, his focus on people, through education with his gifts to the number of leading institutions is amazing, again, in all my reading, I have not seen the giving back of such as in this book. I can understand why he only gets 5 hours of sleep, as with the other 19 hours, he is giving those hours, to helping others. A great read, a great individual!
  • To Knotch!!

    5
    By Charles Vieau
    Wonderful insights from a fulfilling career!! Anecdotal evidence to support these insights as well!!
  • What it takes

    5
    By MunroeMorrow
    This book made me think bigger as an entrepreneur. Great practical insight, and three or four ideas that i have been consistently implementing. The book inspired me to become better and be more
  • Fantastic Read

    5
    By P2paps
    Fantastic book and a must read for any aspiring entrepreneur or just anyone working in business. Inspiring at so many levels and chock full of useful advice drawn from his experiences both ups and downs. I picked up the book with healthy skepticism and quickly got completely engrossed in it and finished it in 48 hours. This is a real page turner of a life well lived.
  • Amazing !!!

    5
    By Nicholas Jacobs 1004
    Amazing book from start to finish.
  • What a Life

    5
    By Frederick B R
    After watching Mr Schwarzmans interview with David Rubenstein i had to get the book- Once i satarted it was not possible to put down! His philosophy, structure,perspective,strategy concern,motivation,charity,compassion,empathy together with his financial acumen appears be limitless. An magnificent read!!!!! Thank you for sharing
  • Interesting and thought provoking

    5
    By RKavvy
    This book is an excellent autobiography of Stephan A. Schwarzman’s life. I never realized how involved Blackstone was in so many sectors and businesses across the globe. The amount of deals in business and politics that he has been involved in was truly fascinating. The last two pages in the Epilogue truly showcase Stephan’s leadership and how he tries to instill motivation in all the Schwarzman Scholars during the ups and down of their lives was very thought provoking for me given the unprecedented times we are currently experiencing. I wish there was another chapter on Stephan’s perspective about the Coronavirus and how it’s impacted American life as well as the world’s. I’d love to know who he is calling to offer up advice and solutions as he’s done in past times of crisis. Hopefully he puts out a follow up book and includes this!