Delivering Happiness

Tony Hsieh

Ratings: 4.6/5                    Pages: 272

"Delivering Happiness" by Tony Hsieh offers an inspiring account of his entrepreneurial journey and the creation of Zappos, emphasizing the significance of company culture, exceptional customer service, and personal growth.

Read TIme: Approx 9-10 hours

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Act weak when strong, act strong when weak. Know when to bluff - Tony Hsieh
  • A great company is more likely to die of indigestion from too much opportunity than starvation from too little.
  • Being Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded is not a recommendation; it's the way we live.
  • Meeting Expectations < Meeting Desires < Meeting Unrecognized Needs.
  • Sometimes the truth alone isn’t enough. The presentation of the truth is just as important as the truth
  • Happiness is really just about enjoying life
  • Don’t play games you don’t understand even if you see lots of other players making money.
  • The most important decision you could make was which table to sit at.
  • Never lose sight of the value of a tribe where people truly felt connected and cared for the well-being of one another.
  • Experiences are much more important than material things.
  • There is something interesting about anyone and everyone. You just have to figure out what that something is.
  • The more diverse your set of friendships are, the more likely you will derive both business and personal benefits from your friendships later down the road.
  • Be humble. In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities. But in the expert’s mind, there are few
  • Never outsource your core competency.
  • For marketing, a common trap is trying to create buzz. When really they should be focused on building engagement and trust
  • Give great service to everyone, customers, employees, and vendors.
  • Why not see what happens when you challenge your employees to bring all of themselves to work and reward them for being adventurous, pushing the envelope, being creative, open-minded, and trying new things.
  • But remember that at the end of the day, it’s not what you say or what you do but how you make people feel that matters the most
  • The best ideas and decisions are made from the bottom up, meaning by those in the front lines closest to the issues.
  • When you ask people what their ultimate goal is, and keep asking why, you will arrive at the answer that everyone just wants to become happier
  • Company culture is more important than customer service.
  • Be the best at one thing, instead of average at many.
  • Invest everything into your product and let it do your marketing for you.

            "This book stands out, revealing a vibrant company culture and its evolution. It showcases a workplace where relationships matter, culture is paramount, and leadership serves. The 2008 layoffs underline their compassion, with generous benefits showcasing their employee commitment. This narrative combines inspiration with Zappos' core values, proving that genuine altruism can drive extraordinary success."

Reasons to read it:
  • The book provides a firsthand account of Tony Hsieh's journey, from co-founding LinkExchange to leading Zappos, offering insights into entrepreneurship, challenges, and successes.
  • Hsieh emphasizes the importance of building a strong company culture, sharing Zappos' unique approach to fostering a positive and customer-centric workplace.
  • The book delves into Hsieh's personal growth, including his discoveries about happiness and fulfillment, inspiring readers to reflect on their own paths.
Reasons to skip it:
  • If you're not interested in e-commerce or entrepreneurship, the book's focus on Zappos and its business model might not align with your interests.
  • If you're seeking a purely business-oriented guide without autobiographical anecdotes, the book's blend of personal experiences might not resonate with your preferences.
  • If you prefer a straightforward, non-narrative approach to learning about creativity and leadership, the book's storytelling format might not resonate with your preferences.