Wing Yan Lee

"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" offers an engaging and straightforward reading experience, effortlessly drawing readers into its narrative. As a seven-year founder, I found a significant resonance with the content, feeling an instant connection and understanding of the author's insights and experiences. The book artfully divides its attention between the author's entrepreneurial journey—spanning from inception to the brink of bankruptcy—and his reflective thoughts on leadership and team building within the startup ecosystem. The initial section of the work, detailing his perilous and uncertain journey, is particularly captivating. Readers with entrepreneurial experience will likely find this section deeply relatable and compelling. While I found the sections on hiring and team-building to be less relevant to my personal experience, they nonetheless offer valuable insights for readers in different stages or with different focuses in their entrepreneurial journey. However, the book truly shines in its candid storytelling and practical summaries, standing out as more accessible and immediately useful compared to works like Ray Dalio's "Principles." I was especially impressed with the chapter discussing the contrasting roles and challenges of a CEO during peacetime and wartime (page 224). This section provides a nuanced and insightful exploration of leadership that many business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs will likely find illuminating and thought-provoking. Overall, "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" is a commendable work, with its initial sections being particularly noteworthy for entrepreneurs navigating through the challenging landscapes of starting and sustaining a business. Its straightforward approach and valuable summaries set it apart, making it a recommended read for those seeking both the raw realities and reflective insights on entrepreneurship and leadership.

Overall, my impression of Ray Dalio's "Principles" is lukewarm at best. In comparison to other reads in the same genre, particularly "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," I found Dalio's work somewhat out of touch with reality or “不貼地” in its approach. While it offers general reminders about life’s values and principles, it falls short of serving as a concrete guide for readers to navigate through them. Furthermore, Dalio's "Principles" reads more like a playbook rather than a source of genuine wisdom meant to be shared and reflected upon. This aspect becomes especially evident when comparing it to works like Charlie Munger's "Poor Charlie's Almanack." Munger’s book is packed with principles and values that not only inspire but also offer considerable practical insight and takeaways for the readers. In contrast, Dalio’s "Principles" feels somewhat lacking in depth and breadth, not providing the same level of inspiration or gain found in "Poor Charlie's Almanack." In conclusion, while "Principles" can serve as a reminder of general values and life principles, readers looking for a substantial, grounded, and profoundly insightful guide might want to explore other options available in the market. The book can be beneficial, but perhaps not as enlightening as one would hope for a book of its kind.