Rating: 
Summary: What works and what doesn't
Review: A very practical and realistic study of what works and what doesn't in the workplace. A must read for any person who has to work anywhere. This book will help.
Rating:
Summary: A framework for personal success and mentoring others
Review: Although a fast and easy read, this is not a quick-fix recipe book. You can't just read the book, put it down and then wait for the "star thing" to happen. The strategies espoused are based on common-sense and well-researched principles -- but practicing them requires... well... practice.The most uplifting message of this book -- and one that I stress with my employees -- is that *anyone* can be a star. It's not about how good you look, being a genius, or having great political or social skills -- it's about *how* you go about working. These aren't strategies you are born with -- these are strategies you can be *taught*. Nothing replaces old fashion perserverance -- this book is the inspiration and the rest is, as they say, perspiration. But if you consistently apply these principles you *will* succeed.
Rating:
Summary: original insights into working behaviors of super-achievers
Review: As a new management consultant, I worry about how I will do an "outstanding job" in a knowledge-intensive environment, how I will "fit in," and how I will make a name for myself. How To Be A Star At Work addresses my concerns directly. Kelley asserts that traditionally touted values like hard work, taking initiative, and good communication skills are actually common among average performers and star performers. He explains that star performers know how to exercise these skills in the context of workplace realities such that they achieve spectacular results as compared to everyone else. For example, in the past I have struggled with speaking out to management to advocate new ideas, because I have found that I am often perceived as a firebrand. So I tend to keep my ideas to myself. Giving real-world examples, Kelley reveals how stars actually do speak out and take initiative in risky areas, but they structure their approach in ways that are organizationally harmonious, fit the corporate agenda, yet still accomplish their goals. Kelley also makes explicit many fundamental, yet unwritten rules of the knowledge-based workplace, especially with his candid examination of how networking really works in the minds of coworkers and his notion of a "critical path" that guides stars' decisions. I think mastering these two concepts alone are going to make a huge difference in my career. The ideas in How To Be A Star at Work should be truly valuable to anyone with serious ambitions for success in a knowledge-based workplace, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Excellant ideas for the self-emplyed.
Review: As a self-employed tax representative, I find Kelley's "How to Be a Star at Work" a refreshing resource for my own business plan. On page 10 Kelley wrote, "It wasn't what these stars had in their head that made them standouts from the pack, it was how they used what they had." This was enough to convince me that if his recommendations were good for employees they should certainly help me. Even though some of his points are obvious for self motivated people, I found myself becoming better organized in developing by business plan.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to read and applicable to a variety of businesses
Review: Dr. Kelly has given an excellent blueprint for managers and employees to use as a road map to success. The concepts are easy to understand and easy to apply to the everyday business world. I look forward to seeing results from the brainpowered folks I work with. Craig in Colorado
Rating:
Summary: Mentoring for Those Without Effective Mentors
Review: How to Be a Star at Work is excellent for attacking misconceptions that retard almost all careers. Everyone I know who had a fast rising career used the principles in this book: But they usually had to figure out some of the principles for themselves. As a young person, many lack the experience and judgment to derive these principles. For example, many will see conforming to the views of co-workers (many of whose careers are going nowhere) as the way to get ahead. Not true! As your first step toward becoming a star at work, read this book and apply its principles. If you want to go further and be a Superstar at work, read on for more instructions you will need. Careers are also plagued by other flawed thinking habits not explored in this book including poor communications (assuming the message is received and understood without checking), disbelief in promising new ideas and technologies (check these new perspectives out carefully before you dismiss them), tradition (habits that have outlived their usefulness), bureaucracy (having people involved unnecessarily), harmful procrastination (delaying when the situation is deteriorating), and avoiding ugliness (everyone else avoids it also, so the best opportunities are often in the most unattractive aspects of your operations). To be most successful, you need to be able to create better solutions. The way to do this is to (1) learn the value of measurements (nothing improves that is not measured) (2) measure everything you can about important processes in your key activities (each measurement will teach you something you need to know) (3) identify the best practices anyone has ever done in these areas (especially by looking outside your industry), and anticipate where these best practices will be in 5 years (4) assemble best practices together in new ways that no one has ever done before to exceed the future best practice (5) identify the ideal best practice (the best people will ever be able to do -- for communications this will be having everyone get the message in one second, like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater where smoke and flames are evident) (6) find ways to approach the ideal best practice by applying the analogy of where humans do it almost perfectly now to your situation (7) assemble the right people, resources and incentives to get the job done and (8) repeat the process (you will get better at it and find better ideas, each you time you do this again). Further, a lot of people are oblivious to the powerful trends around them. The most effective people will find ways to turn these trends to their advantage, regardless of how the trend shifts. If you teach someone else these ideas, you will learn them even better, and proven yourself as a leader. Now you have everything you need to be a superstar at work, except for the proper goals. Write them down! Review them frequently! You will outperform 97 percent of everyone else with just this focus . . . before you apply this book. Don't forget to be a superstar in your personal life, where it's tougher . . . but more meaningful . . . to do!
Rating:
Summary: The right book at the right time.
Review: I am into my 25th year at the same company, doing a job that I have always loved, but my star is a little tarnished with age. I needed a boost. The last thing I want to do is end my career with a heavy sigh. Mr. Kelley took me back to the beginning when it was all fresh, exciting and I couldn't wait to climb the next mountain. It's a book I will read again. I've also ordered copies for my supervisory staff, I hope they too can benefit from these words of wisdom.
Rating: 
Summary: In a perfect work world, this would be the perfect book
Review: I completely agree with the reviewer from Wisconsin (Oct 14). The ideas in this book are most beneficial to those who work in an environment that is not overtly political. If you want to know how to be an outstanding knowledge worker (and you can do this even if you think you have a job for the brain dead), and you're willing to put forth the effort necessary to reach a high level of performance, then by all means, get this book. My problem with this book is that the author seems to honestly believe this is all one needs to do to be successful in most of today's organizations. Most cutthroat politicians will not be threatened by those who put the first part of the "Star At Work" equation into practice, mainly learning as much as possible and putting forth extra effort. The troubles start when the exceptional worker tries to get recognition and to implement their ideas. The only way to outwit the politicians and be a real star is to have some political savvy yourself, which the book doesn't place enough emphasis on. IMHO, you can be the smartest, most dedicated "star" in the room, but if you don't have a little "juice" with those in power, they'll simply take your ideas and effort & leave you used up and burned out.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book except for ssome monor beefs and the sales pitch
Review: I don't like small print and although I am a great believer in the power of telling stories, I get tired of real live case studies, one after another. That said this is a solidly researched book that presents important ideas in a straightforward and comprehensive manner. You may not always agree with some of the points, but if you bear with the book (and read it all - don't skip) everything will hang together. Remember, this book is about strategies - not a how to. For example, strategy eight, "Organizational Savvy" goes on to list a number of skill sets. One of these is managing conflict. This skill is awarded three pages in the book, but as we all know is a complex competency. There is no right way for each and every one of us. I appreciated how differences and individual personalities are validated and reinforced in the book. Nor does the author downplay the potential pitfalls or possible negative consequences for adopting a strategy. Each one has its own risks. I found two of the strategies presented particularly interesting. The first star performer strategy is initiative. "Initiative is the most widely misunderstood of all the star performer work strategies". The clarification between what is initiative versus what is just doing your job is an important concept for individuals to understand. The difference is well laid out in the material. Chapter 6 provides an insightful presentation on networking. In my experience, I find that individuals often misunderstand the importance of networking and what it really is. I am sure that each reader will find a particular chapter or two speaks to him or her. Kelly states in his preface that "you should resist skipping around to chapters that seem more interesting... start at the beginning with the model and read through the work strategy chapter in the order presented." I suggest a couple of caveats. I skimmed the appendix first. I wanted to get a sense of the research behind the book. There on page 305 is a very important table. It is a list of seven factors that Kelly has discovered that create the perception or judgment by superiors that an individual shows high productivity and performance. After all aren't these strategies and underlying skill sets on how to be a star all about being perceived as one by others? Read chapter 14 on "Becoming a Star Performer" either after chapter two or four. I thought that this section provided some perspective to the book as a whole. It is short so you can reread it again when you come to it. I liked chapter 4 which responses to questions from interested readers and motivated me to read on. It did sound a little like a sales pitch at times. Which brings me to my last beef. Kelly stresses that this book is based on lengthy and extensive research, particularly at Bell Labs and I acknowledge the contribution that he has made. Kelly and his group, Consultant to Executives and Organizations Ltd. have developed a program based on his model. This too has been researched and evaluated for its effectiveness that appears impressive. Unfortunately, I often got the impression that the book is a ruse for selling this training package. That is unfortunate. The book stands alone on its own merits as having something important to say to individuals who want to improve their organizational impact.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and practical tips for success
Review: I had the opportunity to see Mr Kelley present the contents of this book at a recent seminar and I was very impressed! He has unravelled the mystique of the top performer and outlined strategies that anyone can use. I intend to have my whole team read this book. Excellent work!
| 
