Best Business Books of 2006: #8 – The Richest Man Who Ever Lived

Coming in at #8 on the Best Business Books of 2006:The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness by Steven K. Scott. I found this one randomly at a bookstore in Dallas; thanks Dr. Adelglass for the gift (the Kinky Friedman books you also got me were good fun, but they didn’t quite crack this top books list).

Below is a smattering of notes I kept in my book review journal for this one:

The keys to success
are in Solomon’s Proverbs. Follow them and you’ll achieve all your
dreams. Stray from them and you’re a goner.

The book would be
one to treasure, but it’s way too much about the author, who’s made his
millions and can’t stop reminding others of it. Speaking in broader
terms would have helped make his case all the stronger.

And now, some gems when mining Solomon’s:

p.11-12: DILIGENCE:
Skill combining creative persistence, smart-working, effort rightly
planned performed in timely effective manner to achieve result that’s
pure and of highest quality

Steps to diligence:

1. Wake up to reality
2. Define visions
3. Effectively partner
4. Pursue wisdom

p.42: HOPE: well-founded, confident belief that a vision will be fulfilled in a set period of time

On deferring hope: Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desired fulfilled is the tree of life.”

p.54: On confrontation, anger: Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.”

p. 60: Solomon’s Keys to Communication:

1. Make others listen; “make knowledge acceptable”
2. be persuasive – motivate for someone’s best interest / common good
3. Listen before speaking, don’t finish others’ thoughts
4. Be slow to speak, guard your words
5. Build people up, not tear down; refrain from gossip
6. Show restraint
7. Share wisdom
8. Speak the truth

p.131: How to win conflict, overcome adversity

1. Understand potential consequences of conflict
2. Achieve best outcome for all
3. Seek counsel before engaging in conflict
4. Don’t answer fool in manner of how he attacks
5. Don’t reveal confidential information
6. Don’t prolong argument; speak softly
7. Give an unexpected gift
8. Be quick to forgive

p.218 – On battling pride

1. Be grateful
2. Be more attuned to needs of others