What It Takes

Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

De: Stephen A. Schwarzman

Narrado por: Stephen A. Schwarzman, Drew Birdseye

From Blackstone chairman, CEO, and co-founder Stephen A. Schwarzman, a long-awaited book that uses impactful episodes from Schwarzman's life to show listeners 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.

©2019 Stephen A. Schwarzman (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Overall an Excellent Listen

Overall an excellent listen. Fascinating achievements by Mr. Schwarzman. Lessons are very valuable in this book and title is appropriate for the contents. Some of the details of his deals are too wordy and boring for a person like me who is not in finance or business and is only getting into the game right now but nevertheless I can see how he cannot make a point without those details. On one hand, this gives me a detail and practical understanding of the (predominately White) privilege and enormous opportunities that rich American have in this society where they all go to prestige universities and know each other in their own close network of finance, business and politics etc. On the other hand, it does create a unique perspective for a minority person and an immigrant like me to make a choice between pursuing my ambitions in this land of enormous opportunities or blame the system for placing wealthy individuals at an unfair advantage and finding excuses for my own shortcomings. Choice is clear and America is a land of opportunity and nothing is beyond anyone's reach in this beautiful country if they are willing to do "what it takes" . Thanks for sharing your knowledge, perspective on life, business and beyond.

The lessons are so powerful

I enjoy every advise he gives in this book. Just few chapters when he talked about the foundation is a little less interesting than his earlier chapters of life

impressive story

I got refreshed by looking into how Stephen tackle d problems. highly recommend! looking for more

Great book, very inspiring.

I loved the author's philosophy confidence, and faith he exhibited throughout his life. A must read for those on the entrepreneur journey.

Best Book Ever

One of the most wonderful audiobooks I have ever listened. It inspired me to become a better leader and citizen.

Excellent autobiography of a true businessman

I learned a lot and the real life stories are interesting. The inside look and description of the 2008 economy crash was terrific. I am glad to see the good guy be successful for having ethics and treating people well.

My suggestion is when Drew Birdseye is reading turn up the speed because he talks slower than S. Schwarz.

Inside look on what happens at the highest level

Unique book that shared how the highest levels of politics, business, and non-profits work. Enjoyed it so much that I went through it in 2 days. 🤯

Engaging, Enlightening, Encouraging

I listened to this book and can honestly say I do not think I could have read a book. Having said this, I must say it was an exciting read. Mr. Schwarzman gave us his heart while giving us a huge does of "don't ever give up". He comes from the world of big finance. Many of the things he talked about in his business were over my head. What was not over my head was how tenacity can pull you through. His experience is trying one that epitomizes the phrase, no only means not now.

There is much hard work in his story. Hard work that pays off and not just for him but for countless numbers of others who benefited from his work

Listen to this book. Hear what Mr. Schwarzman is saying and apply it to your own life.

highly recommended

Great book, great story, esp. for entrepreneurs, founders, funders and business people in general. highly recommended, thank you.

A great read!

Great book! Very insightful. Not something I’d typically read but I found it to be very good.