To Be or Not to Be Intimidated?

To begin with I must confess to being an avid fan of Robert Ringer. And I was jumping up and down to see his updated version of his popular book "Winning Through Intimidation." While Ringer claims his book is not about intimidating people it really is. Yes, it's basically about protecting yourself from intimidators. But he also shows you how to become intimidating yourself. But that's a good thing. This is, after all, the business world and not a place for the weak sisters. By using terms like Screw U, Ringer causes the reader to have a method that will make him or her quickly recall everything in the book for a lifetime. Without knowing it, you'll memorize it. At least I did. I read the book in 1977 and during every conversation with a prospective client or a client I can see visions from Ringer's book. I can hear the language of one of the Types who would love to keep me from getting my chips. If I could only own two books in my entire lifetime they would be Winning Through Intimidation (preferably this updated version) and The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Those two books create a library of all the wisdom you need to take you through business life and make you a master. Ringer has an amazing sense of humor and shows from his own mistakes how to become a great business person. He's not afraid to put his own image on the line for all to see unlike some writers who would have you believe they've made no errors and never known a failure. To them I say, "Duh, even Babe Ruth struck out over 3000 times." You'll fail many times before you hit a ball and the person who doesn't fail simply never gets up to bat. The three decades since I first read this book have been a mixture of failures and successes. But I can honestly say that I have Ringer to thank for much of the success. And not a day in those three decades have gone by when I haven't thought at least one time of something in that great book. I too have been to Screw U. And as one who graduated with honors I suggest you buy this book and have it sent to you the fastest method possible. Then read it every month or every six months of your life. Arm yourself for the exciting but dangerous world of business and the earlier in your life you do it, the better. Is this book dated? NO. People don't change. They'll still go for your chips. They still try to keep you from getting your chips. But that's okay. After all, as Ringer says, life is just a game. And if it is just a game, why not play to win?

A CEO friend of a 180-person company recommended this book to me years back when a family member was getting into the real estate biz (and I was helping out). What an awesome set of anecdotes on dealing with buyers and sellers trying to cut out “the middle man” — and how Ringer learned to make sure he got his slice of the deal. If you’re in real estate, if you ever middle man deals, or even if you just need to know how to negotiate, this book is chock full of useful tips, stories, and mindsets that’ll get you where you want to be: solidly in control of the negotiating table, and making sure to hold onto your slice!

**I'll preface this by saying I am in Real Estate with a sales license for agency Because all the negative reviews, comment on the books' concentration on Ringer's commercial real estate journey.... Negative comments with this face-value dismissal will OVERLOOK the UNREVEALED mindsets one should really have approaching business If I could, I would have read this book 10 years ago, well before I had my license ..... Today, Every business book will sell you on rosy green pastures in the industry as long as you give value and sing kumbaya ..... Leaving you ill-prepared for more experienced competitors, colleagues, even customers out for your Money ..... If you are really starting from the ground up in business, like ringer you WILL UNDOUBTEDLY face these challenges ...... Two lessons in the book conveyed much more vividly - - No one will be looking out for your interests - Power posture is EVERYTHING in negotiation Ringer DOES NOT use a know-all, 'guru' voice, simply stating - "this is how it's done, just listen because i'm successful"..... .......but rather he depicts all his lessons in detailed stories from his experiences, showing pitfalls and successful adjustments. To be fair, If I read this 10 years ago I probably would have made the same negative comments, seeing no immediate relevance before becoming an agent.... but that would be like trashing a ferrari because I didn't obtain my license yet I'll agree that maybe the book needs to be prefaced, that it's about his real estate journey .... so if you're going to read this book, an open-mind needs to be kept, enough to apply those challenges ..... if not you're probably not ready for it ..... or you're searching to learn from more 'guru'-type materials

I thought this book was very interesting and offered some really good tips for anyone in sales, namely the emphasis on positioning yourself as THE professional. However, I found the author's writing to be too focused on the greedy pursuit of money. To me, there is more to sales (and commercial real estate brokerage) than simply accumulating "chips", as the author calls them. Furthermore, I do not feel that there are only 3 types of people, and that all want to keep you from getting your money. All of that said, I think this book offers valuable insight with little fluff. Every salesperson/agent should read this book, if for no other reason than to read the cool stories the author tells about his business.

This was a real eye-opener for me. It taught me a new way to look at business partners, no matter what form they come in. This book has a lovely feel to it; it is easy to read and is written in a fun, light way. The anecdotes are also strong. This is definitely a book worth reading for anyone who is now in, or is likely in the future to go into, business with another person. I had the original "Winning through intimidation", which I felt had a fat better title, but this version is subtly different and a tiny bit better.

A good friend bought me this for Christmas years ago in S Africa. (about 1981) I had left the UK broke and depressed. Two years later I returned. and started to make money using the principles. I made over a million eventually. That was enough. I don't want my life ruled by money, but thank you Mr Ringer for preventing it from being ruled by people who do. At one level this is a funny book, at another its a cruel but fair look at the out and out bastards who will beset you if you ever dare try and do something on your own initiative. If The Peter Principle was the bible for corporate workers, this is the bible for the self employed. In my case truly life changing.

The author wrote this book based on his previous bestseller. He changed the title and some of the content. This is one of my favorite book with the original that I read many years ago.

I liked the practical side of stories. I don't have any interest in real estate but I think that's not important at all to appreciate this book.

Those looking for self-help business books need to get this one as a reality check to counter much of the "it's all about a positive attitude" fairytales (i.e. Think & Grow Rich nonsense). Robert Ringer divides his advice into memorable 'Theories' and backs these up with a lot of real-life experience from his career as a commercial real estate broker. The latter also being perhaps the only downside. Not for me as I am in real estate, but the examples might not hit home as much for those who are in a different branch. These examples fill a pretty big part of the book, without them it could have been condensed to 100-130 pages. Hence 4 stars. If you are in real estate, then consider this a 5 star. Don't get me wrong though, it does not beat around the bush. It delivers upon its promise (overcoming Intimidation) and it avoids all the nonsense while still being actionable in both business and real life. That's very rare, which is why this is a must buy, especially if you feel this quote hits home: "The problems most people encounter in trying to achieve their objectives - in business, personal relationships, and virtually all other facets of life - stem from being intimidated by others." - most memorable quote Also, it's very funny and certainly not dated.

You should have this book on your shelf. Wonderful memos to guide you to success in business dealings.