What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

What It Takes chronicles Stephen Schwarzman's path from his middle-class upbringing to becoming the CEO of Blackstone, one of the world's largest investment firms. The memoir details his key career decisions, business principles, and the major deals that shaped both his trajectory and the modern financial landscape. Schwarzman outlines his methodology for evaluating opportunities, managing risk, and building teams through specific examples from his time at Lehman Brothers and Blackstone. He recounts his experiences navigating multiple financial crises and explains his approach to identifying transformative business opportunities. The book provides detailed breakdowns of notable deals and business relationships, including Schwarzman's connections with global business and political leaders. The author shares the frameworks he developed for making crucial decisions and building institutional processes. Beyond business lessons, the book explores themes of personal conviction, institutional leadership, and the relationship between private enterprise and public impact. Through Schwarzman's experiences, readers gain insight into how individual choices and relationships shape large-scale economic outcomes.

Most readers view this book as a straightforward business memoir that emphasizes relationship-building and negotiation skills. The book maintains a 4.5/5 rating on Amazon (2,000+ reviews) and 4.2/5 on Goodreads (3,000+ reviews). Readers liked: - Clear principles for business success - Behind-the-scenes details of major deals - Specific examples of problem-solving - Career advice for young professionals Readers disliked: - Self-congratulatory tone - Focus on high-level networking versus practical advice - Limited insight into personal life/challenges - Repetitive stories about wealth and success Several readers noted the book works better as a biography than a how-to guide. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "The lessons feel out of reach unless you're already wealthy and well-connected." A Goodreads reviewer appreciated the "concrete frameworks for decision-making," while others found the advice "too focused on elite institutions and connections."

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🎯 Stephen Schwarzman started Blackstone with only $400,000 in 1985; the company is now worth over $500 billion. 💼 The author turned down an offer to be Treasury Secretary under President Trump, believing he could make a greater impact in the private sector. 🎓 Schwarzman has donated over $1 billion to educational institutions, including $150 million to Yale and $350 million to MIT for AI research. 📈 The book reveals that Schwarzman keeps a list of "10 Rules for Success" on his desk, which includes "Don't lose money" and "Bigger is better." 🌟 The memoir's title "What It Takes" was inspired by a question Schwarzman frequently asks during interviews: "What does it take to be successful?"