I love Marcus Buckingham. There. I've said it. I've seen him speak several times and he is fearless, effervescent, charismatic, and knows how to work a room like nobody's business. But I have a few issues with this particular book.
To begin, it feels like the same book he's written before. This one is just the girl-power version. The front cover cries out for you to take the "Strong Life Test - Discover the Role you were Born to play", so I did. The question are fairly ambiguous and could be answered more than one way. The first result was quite far out in left field, so I took it again - answering the questions from a different mood. Still me - just on a different day. Not surprisingly, I got totally different results. Does that mean that the role I was born to play depends on my mood? Am I a stereo-type?
In chapter four we find this:
"A strong woman feel that her needs are fulfilled. She may sometimes feel tired- and given all the roles women are expected to play today, who wouldn't be? - but she doesn't feel overwhelmed and empty. In fact she feels the opposite of empty. She feels filled up. Her purpose needs are met - she feels she is dong what she is supposed to be doing, however imperfectly. Her relationship needs are met- she has a loving husband, a supportive boss, a caring group of friends."
Does this mean because I don't have a husband that I'm not a strong woman and can't possibly be fulfilled? That because my relationship needs are not always met that's why I'm tired and overwhelmed at the end of the day - instead of the fact that I'm in 16 credit hours of grad school while working and - having just accepted a job overseas that I am delirious with excitement about- planning an international move? That's just malarkey. I am strong, confident, and feel completely fulfilled - despite (according to this) that I am not married with a marvelous boss and fantastic, well-behaved children.
As much as I love Marcus-and no one does stats like he does- I did not love this book more than anything. There are some great things here. But I think most of them have been said before. If you need some self-esteem and are feeling down on yourself, it is a good reminder to look at yourself how others truly see you- instead of the way you THINK others see you- and accept your fabulousness. But I'm beyond all that. I'm a few pounds over my ideal weight, I'm starting some wrinkles, my hair is thinning, and I need reading glasses...But I am happy, self-confident, and fulfilled. I'm living my strongest life. Even without a fantastic husband and perfect children.
At the end of the day, I still love Marcus...And I may buy the next book. Maybe the next one will be different.
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