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Driven: How To Succeed In Business And In Life
In his bestselling business book Driven: How to Succeed in Business and in Life, Robert Herjavec, the former co-star of CBC TV’s Dragons’ Den and current co-star of ABC TV’s Shark Tank, urged his readers to take risks, take control of their lives, and stay true to their own visions. Now, in this inspirational follow-up, Herjavec wants to push his readers even further towards greatness.
Whether you are seeking to build the next big company in communications technology, to become the most respected teacher in your educational system, or to make a lasting impact as an artist in your field, the most important decision you can make, according to Herjavec, is to reject mediocrity. In the long run, “good enough” is never good enough, whether in our personal lives or in our careers.
Drawing on anecdotes from his own life and from the lives of celebrity friends such as Oprah, Georges St-Pierre and Celine Dion, Herjavec delivers valuable life lessons that promise to guide readers to greater happiness and success.
Whether you are seeking to build the next big company in communications technology, to become the most respected teacher in your educational system, or to make a lasting impact as an artist in your field, the most important decision you can make, according to Herjavec, is to reject mediocrity. In the long run, “good enough” is never good enough, whether in our personal lives or in our careers.
Drawing on anecdotes from his own life and from the lives of celebrity friends such as Oprah, Georges St-Pierre and Celine Dion, Herjavec delivers valuable life lessons that promise to guide readers to greater happiness and success.
295 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 2010
213 people are currently reading
1327 people want to read
About the author
Robert Herjavec
12 books78 followersRobert Herjavec is one of North America's most recognizable business leaders. A first generation immigrant, Robert, age 8, arrived in Halifax, Canada on a boat with his parents after escaping Communism in the former Yugoslavia. From delivering newspapers and waiting on tables, to launching a computer company from his basement, his unlimited dreams led him to experience the classic “rags to riches” immigrant story.
A dynamic entrepreneur, Robert has built and sold several IT companies to major players including AT&T and Nokia, on his way to amassing a personal fortune. Following a short retirement, Robert recently launched, The Herjavec Group (THG), a $125 million managed security company that is recognized by Profit 100 as one of the fastest growing technology companies in North America. In 2013, Robert won the prestigious Canadian “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” for Technology and was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Award for outstanding service.
Robert demonstrates his entrepreneurial expertise through his leading role on the Emmy nominated, hit American TV show, Shark Tank, now in its 5th season on ABC (produced by Mark Burnett Productions). His inspiring books, “Driven” and “The Will to Win”, were simultaneously Top 10 Bestsellers that earned him the title of “Best Selling Author”. Robert’s motivational business advice has received millions of impressions through TV, print, radio and digital media.
To Robert, running a business is a lot like one of his greatest passions, racing cars. He believes, “You have to stay LASER-FOCUSED when driving a car over 200 miles an hour, similar to growing a business in today’s world of rapidly changing technology.” For the past three years, Robert has competed as Ferrari #007 for The Herjavec Group Racing in the North American Ferrari Challenge Series including winning, “Rookie of the Year 2011.”
A dynamic entrepreneur, Robert has built and sold several IT companies to major players including AT&T and Nokia, on his way to amassing a personal fortune. Following a short retirement, Robert recently launched, The Herjavec Group (THG), a $125 million managed security company that is recognized by Profit 100 as one of the fastest growing technology companies in North America. In 2013, Robert won the prestigious Canadian “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” for Technology and was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Award for outstanding service.
Robert demonstrates his entrepreneurial expertise through his leading role on the Emmy nominated, hit American TV show, Shark Tank, now in its 5th season on ABC (produced by Mark Burnett Productions). His inspiring books, “Driven” and “The Will to Win”, were simultaneously Top 10 Bestsellers that earned him the title of “Best Selling Author”. Robert’s motivational business advice has received millions of impressions through TV, print, radio and digital media.
To Robert, running a business is a lot like one of his greatest passions, racing cars. He believes, “You have to stay LASER-FOCUSED when driving a car over 200 miles an hour, similar to growing a business in today’s world of rapidly changing technology.” For the past three years, Robert has competed as Ferrari #007 for The Herjavec Group Racing in the North American Ferrari Challenge Series including winning, “Rookie of the Year 2011.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 7, 2014
What a fabulous rags to riches story! Robert Herjavec comes from a hard-working immigrant family in Canada to become known as one of the Sharks on America's "Shark Tank." Robert has build businesses in the same industy in which I work, so this book gives a greater understanding of what it takes to start and grow an IT reseller business in today's world. However, he does not forget from whence he came, how he learned to read people and become a supers salesperson and a hugely successful business owner, the importance of great employees, and how he manages to keep his family first in his very busy life.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who works in IT Sales, Marketing, or distribution as there are many, many business life and business lessons included here.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who works in IT Sales, Marketing, or distribution as there are many, many business life and business lessons included here.
October 21, 2010
Looking for something to read on my daily ttc commute, I picked this up last weekend. I'm a regular Dragon's Den Viewer, and a tech/business geek, so I thought it would be an interesting read.
The insights and behind the scenes look at Dragons Den / Shark Tank, have been interesting. More interesting (to me at least), are his insights on business pitches, the story of how he succeeded and his advice for entrepeneurs.
A great read, and one I'll probably re-visit soon.
The insights and behind the scenes look at Dragons Den / Shark Tank, have been interesting. More interesting (to me at least), are his insights on business pitches, the story of how he succeeded and his advice for entrepeneurs.
A great read, and one I'll probably re-visit soon.
February 6, 2012
When you read a book, and can relate to the author, the book is a homerun as it can motivate you to keep moving! Robert Herjavec's "Driven" had a profound affect on me. I picked it up because I love watching "Shark Tank" and "Dragon's Den" but who knew Robert's tips would resonate to my very core! As a young woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, I ate up all of Robert's tips and carried this book with me until I had read the very last page. As I kept reading, I was thinking to myself "Yes, this is me! Robert is writing about me!"
I picked up the book in Toronto, and read it on the plane on my way back to the US, and realized that I too was "DRIVEN" when I packed my bags 10 years ago, and moved to the US in search of my dreams. As I move closer, I can smile as I know I am on the right path. Who knows, maybe I crossed paths with Robert at some point when I lived in Toronto, or when I went to the posh Yorkville bar "Remys" or even as I rollerbladed to the gym past the Bridle Path, where Robert resides. But who cares, as we all brush paths with real winners on our path to our dreams, and then one day, others want to brush paths with us! If you are a winner, looking to make it to the top, READ THIS BOOK TODAY, and I will see you at the top!
I picked up the book in Toronto, and read it on the plane on my way back to the US, and realized that I too was "DRIVEN" when I packed my bags 10 years ago, and moved to the US in search of my dreams. As I move closer, I can smile as I know I am on the right path. Who knows, maybe I crossed paths with Robert at some point when I lived in Toronto, or when I went to the posh Yorkville bar "Remys" or even as I rollerbladed to the gym past the Bridle Path, where Robert resides. But who cares, as we all brush paths with real winners on our path to our dreams, and then one day, others want to brush paths with us! If you are a winner, looking to make it to the top, READ THIS BOOK TODAY, and I will see you at the top!
December 7, 2013
As a business book and general read for anyone looking to become an entrepreneur, Robert Herjavec's "Driven" is a great piece. As a narrative, it's all over the place.
Each chapter of the book is devoted to one of Robert's lessons, with various anecdotes being peppered throughout. While the material is great and has some powerful lessons for those starting up there own vision, it's downright impossible to go back to a chapter and find what you want. Not only are there way too many chapters in the book (which could have been streamlined), but you can already get the gist of the book's contents by just scanning the chapter listing. If you're looking for interesting material like Herjavec's experiences on Shark Tank or his family history, you won't be able to find it short of re-reading the book.
That said, the lessons are generally short and easy to read, with a very conversational style that makes for great reading. If you're looking for a primer on entrepreneurship, you could do a lot worse than this.
Each chapter of the book is devoted to one of Robert's lessons, with various anecdotes being peppered throughout. While the material is great and has some powerful lessons for those starting up there own vision, it's downright impossible to go back to a chapter and find what you want. Not only are there way too many chapters in the book (which could have been streamlined), but you can already get the gist of the book's contents by just scanning the chapter listing. If you're looking for interesting material like Herjavec's experiences on Shark Tank or his family history, you won't be able to find it short of re-reading the book.
That said, the lessons are generally short and easy to read, with a very conversational style that makes for great reading. If you're looking for a primer on entrepreneurship, you could do a lot worse than this.
April 18, 2022
This book was a disappointment to me. It read more as a vanity project than an attempt to pass on and explore good business practices, and often seemed to simply deliver the message: "be like me and you will be awesome like me". Ironically, some of the chapters also seemed to be manifested from some deep insecurities that Herjavec apparently possesses. In particular, his hostility toward those who have achieved academic success (MBAs), to me, read as a lashing out against a group of people he isn't part of. I am sure that the author could achieve an MBA, so his hostility is certainly rooted in a certain level of irrational insecurity, likely rooted in his lack of opportunity in his younger years.
Despite the vanity and insecurity that drove the book, there was some genuine insights into business contained within-reading it wasn't a total wash. It gives an insider perspective on someone who has gone through the ringer and become incredibly successful in his field. Perhaps the hints of insecurity are also a part of his success and drive-and can act as a lesson in themselves. Regrettably, the value contained still needs to be somewhat sorted through with a cynical eye. Herjavec ignores much of modern studies that indicate that the type of work-o-holic lifestyle he espouses is not the only-or even the particularly effective-method for attaining success. Herjavec rejects organization and thoughtfulness as ideal attributes in entrepreneurial enterprises. He also demeans Managers as effectively maintenance staff within business with little ability to think beyond the box, asserting that entrepreneurs are rarely, if ever-good managers. Yet, later in the book he lists managerial ability as a core tenant to successful business creation.
In essence, Herjavec essentially preaches that his particular methodology and roster of skills is capital T The way to be successful in business. What makes a good entrepreneur? Being a carbon-copy of Herjavec.
I question this wisdom...
Despite the vanity and insecurity that drove the book, there was some genuine insights into business contained within-reading it wasn't a total wash. It gives an insider perspective on someone who has gone through the ringer and become incredibly successful in his field. Perhaps the hints of insecurity are also a part of his success and drive-and can act as a lesson in themselves. Regrettably, the value contained still needs to be somewhat sorted through with a cynical eye. Herjavec ignores much of modern studies that indicate that the type of work-o-holic lifestyle he espouses is not the only-or even the particularly effective-method for attaining success. Herjavec rejects organization and thoughtfulness as ideal attributes in entrepreneurial enterprises. He also demeans Managers as effectively maintenance staff within business with little ability to think beyond the box, asserting that entrepreneurs are rarely, if ever-good managers. Yet, later in the book he lists managerial ability as a core tenant to successful business creation.
In essence, Herjavec essentially preaches that his particular methodology and roster of skills is capital T The way to be successful in business. What makes a good entrepreneur? Being a carbon-copy of Herjavec.
I question this wisdom...
Read
December 24, 2018The book is a nice gift, and it's the first time I know about Dragons’ Den. I started checking the old news coverage about one of the book's first stories here:
http://startupnorth.ca/2007/10/29/job...
http://www.instigatorblog.com/jobloft...
https://theeyeopener.com/2007/01/how-...
And although I don't believe TV reality shows that are designed for drama by definition (as one of the articles notes), but the book seems interesting.
---
On page 14 the author tells an interesting story about how the producer approached him in a clever sales-oriented way to convince him of joining the show: he send him a DVD about it, asked him to make a call after watching it, in the call asked for a visit, during the visit they discussed a lot of unrelated things to keep the flow of the conversation till the point of introducing the idea. He bought it directly after getting prepared well in this way. (if someone else he'd just throw the idea and run away in the first communication, and of course would get rejected!) the author was surprised that after all of that he'd just go for an audition, not the show directly, but he continued the process willingly.
p.22 "Dragons' Den is not produced for business people. It's produced to capture the attention and loyalty of a broad cross section of viewers, the same people who also choose to watch The Simpsons, Antiques Roadshow and CSI on other evenings and at other times" --> this proves my first suspect about such show, and the author admitted he selected because of his good performance not because of his good business acumen (and people started talking about the color of his eye lenses, like any star!) Performers!
on the same page a quote from Lisa Gabriele "Dragon's Den is TV show that happens to be about business, and not a business show the happens to be on TV".
http://startupnorth.ca/2007/10/29/job...
http://www.instigatorblog.com/jobloft...
https://theeyeopener.com/2007/01/how-...
And although I don't believe TV reality shows that are designed for drama by definition (as one of the articles notes), but the book seems interesting.
---
On page 14 the author tells an interesting story about how the producer approached him in a clever sales-oriented way to convince him of joining the show: he send him a DVD about it, asked him to make a call after watching it, in the call asked for a visit, during the visit they discussed a lot of unrelated things to keep the flow of the conversation till the point of introducing the idea. He bought it directly after getting prepared well in this way. (if someone else he'd just throw the idea and run away in the first communication, and of course would get rejected!) the author was surprised that after all of that he'd just go for an audition, not the show directly, but he continued the process willingly.
p.22 "Dragons' Den is not produced for business people. It's produced to capture the attention and loyalty of a broad cross section of viewers, the same people who also choose to watch The Simpsons, Antiques Roadshow and CSI on other evenings and at other times" --> this proves my first suspect about such show, and the author admitted he selected because of his good performance not because of his good business acumen (and people started talking about the color of his eye lenses, like any star!) Performers!
on the same page a quote from Lisa Gabriele "Dragon's Den is TV show that happens to be about business, and not a business show the happens to be on TV".
September 9, 2023
Sometimes, the author rambled and didn't make a conclusion that aligned with the lesson he was making. I found his claim that employees with expensive cars are a sign of a healthy and growing company to be absurd as the two are completely unrelated. His statement that a company must always take into account customer desire is not always correct since Apple and Ford created entirely new products that took the world by storm. He repeated himself multiple times. That said, while sometimes common sense, much of his advice is paramount such as the importance of satisfying the customers, verifying that investors and clients will do what they promise to do, maintaining physical and mental fitness, creating a business out of a need to fulfill one's vision instead of making money, and enjoying working on one's business.
May 8, 2017
Started off fairly weakly mostly relating anecdotes from the TV show the author stars in.
The book did pick up a bit after, relying more on Robert's experience as an entrepreneur and his vision of the profession.
As someone not particularly interested in being one, I was still kept interested and feeling like I was learning by how well he described and synthesized information. I would critique that the author looked to be repeating himself more as the book progressed but usually by supplying new examples, which were usually helpful in illustrating the point being made.
Ultimately I think the books does well to relate some basic tips in salesmanship, direction and prioritizing,
The book did pick up a bit after, relying more on Robert's experience as an entrepreneur and his vision of the profession.
As someone not particularly interested in being one, I was still kept interested and feeling like I was learning by how well he described and synthesized information. I would critique that the author looked to be repeating himself more as the book progressed but usually by supplying new examples, which were usually helpful in illustrating the point being made.
Ultimately I think the books does well to relate some basic tips in salesmanship, direction and prioritizing,
September 28, 2017
I liked the book, but I think it helps if you think of it as a series of lessons learned. It's not a linear story over time. Robert has learned many important things, and he shares an experience and then the lesson in many chapters.
Many lessons he shared weren't new lessons or thoughts, so it wasn't a mind blowing our business changing book in my opinion. I liked it, but it doesn't make my top business books list.
Many lessons he shared weren't new lessons or thoughts, so it wasn't a mind blowing our business changing book in my opinion. I liked it, but it doesn't make my top business books list.
October 6, 2017
Businessman's view
I think this book is great because it wrote by Robert himself. At beginning, I was like okay this might be just usual business book. Later on, I was totally wrong cause he shared many good points and insights. Actually I did mention some of insights to my friends. I have a confession, one of chapters kinda did dissuade me little from start a business that I don't know much about. I think he would be a great mentor for somebody out of there.
I think this book is great because it wrote by Robert himself. At beginning, I was like okay this might be just usual business book. Later on, I was totally wrong cause he shared many good points and insights. Actually I did mention some of insights to my friends. I have a confession, one of chapters kinda did dissuade me little from start a business that I don't know much about. I think he would be a great mentor for somebody out of there.
April 22, 2018
Surprisingly practical and to-the-point. I expected much more of a memoir, and instead I got transcripts of a successful business owner’s coaching guide to young entrepreneurs. The advice is accessible and broad, but specific enough to be immediately actionable. I just found some of the anecdotes a little thin.
November 20, 2021
I've been a fan since the inception of Dragon's Den. He's a terrible writer. His book has no organization, and despite golden nuggets scattered throughout, I wouldn't recommend it. This piece gets two stars because the author is Robert Herjavec.
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February 20, 2022More Advice
This is a follow up to the author's previous book and it's less autobiographical and more business advice.
The advice is pretty solid and makes sense. Whatever career path you should love what you're doing and money is not the goal.
This is a follow up to the author's previous book and it's less autobiographical and more business advice.
The advice is pretty solid and makes sense. Whatever career path you should love what you're doing and money is not the goal.
October 8, 2024
Entertaining and informative but it felt a bit confused. It was like a biography pretending to be a business book pretending to be about life. It was really interesting but I'm not sure I gained much from it aside from entertainment and a few useful tidbits.
January 31, 2025
This is not a business textbook, which is great. It's entertaining, has a lot of useful tidbits and doses of reality mixed in so yes, it's informative and has some decent takeaways. It's worth a read, even if you're simply a fan of Dragons Den, or if you're thinking about starting a business.
June 4, 2017
Great book! Robert Herjavec has become an idol of mine. He's a great business man and very humble in life. I'm looking forward to his next two books in my collection.
August 31, 2017
Not a very eloquent book.
Not very inspiring. More of a, look what I did.
Not very inspiring. More of a, look what I did.
November 28, 2017
The book gave some great points, tools, values and takeaways but it was so dreadful to read. It lacked organization and flow. I’m surprised because he’s one of my favorite Sharks and Dragons.
March 21, 2018
Mostly about business (his business mostly). Chapter 35 was great stuff though. A little about life in this thing.
September 11, 2018
This was a fun read. No real aha moments, but I did enjoy Roberts view of business.
October 22, 2018
Good book. It wasn't mind blowing but it wasn't difficult to get through and included a lot of great points to keep a person on the path to success.
July 19, 2019
A great guide to start business and fulfilling dream of starting a business.
September 1, 2020
A good book with a great set of pointers for the entrepreneurs
February 26, 2021
A bit dated as expected, but a good read nonetheless.
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May 12, 2021library book
July 27, 2015
I love Robert Herjavec of "Dragon's Den" and "Shark Tank" fame. He comes across as an honest person whom you could go for beers with and make you feel like you were the only person in the room. This book is a good look at what tools you need to be successful.
There is one cringe-worthy part in this book where Herjavec talks about when his mother was conned by a vacuum salesperson who financially crippled the family shortly after they moved to Canada. It made me feel terribly for his mother and how she must have wanted to crawl into a hole after being conned. But, there is a bright side to the story as this was the moment Herjavec decided that his family would no longer be in the position where a mistake like that would cost his family dearly. I found that part of the book especially interesting because, like most entrepreneurs, they can pinpoint the exact moment when they said "enough" and how they never wanted to be in that position again. Hence, they are now "Driven".
Great read, would recommend.
There is one cringe-worthy part in this book where Herjavec talks about when his mother was conned by a vacuum salesperson who financially crippled the family shortly after they moved to Canada. It made me feel terribly for his mother and how she must have wanted to crawl into a hole after being conned. But, there is a bright side to the story as this was the moment Herjavec decided that his family would no longer be in the position where a mistake like that would cost his family dearly. I found that part of the book especially interesting because, like most entrepreneurs, they can pinpoint the exact moment when they said "enough" and how they never wanted to be in that position again. Hence, they are now "Driven".
Great read, would recommend.
February 9, 2012
I like Dragons' Den and Shark Tank and I thought Herjavec had an interesting and inspiring story as a Croatian immigrant starting with nothing to become wealthy and passionate about what he does.
It was interesting to read anecdotes from the shows, most of the contestants mentioned I remember.
If you are looking for a detailed intense "how-to" book, this isn't it. But for me, it was enough as I'm not an entrepreneur. It's not a bad book, though. It gives lots of advice from a high kind of fluffy level. You have to have fun at and enjoy whatever you do ... hopefully you're doing whatever that is.
Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/04...
It was interesting to read anecdotes from the shows, most of the contestants mentioned I remember.
If you are looking for a detailed intense "how-to" book, this isn't it. But for me, it was enough as I'm not an entrepreneur. It's not a bad book, though. It gives lots of advice from a high kind of fluffy level. You have to have fun at and enjoy whatever you do ... hopefully you're doing whatever that is.
Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/04...
January 31, 2018
*4.5 stars out of 5*. I had to get used to his style of writing, and the fact that he talks more about his business experiences more than his life experiences, but once I did that, this book had a huge impact on me, even more than Jim Treliving's book *Decisions* which was easier to read. I have been told that it is a bad idea to be totally obsessed with your work and that one needs a balance between work and family. But because of this book, I now longer feel guilty about not having that balance, because to be honest, you can't have that balance if you want to succeed (at least not at first anyway).
While I recommend reading the entire book, if you only read part of this book (perhaps because you cannot get used to his writing style as I described above), read Chapter 29, and 47-50.
While I recommend reading the entire book, if you only read part of this book (perhaps because you cannot get used to his writing style as I described above), read Chapter 29, and 47-50.
May 25, 2013
Do you have a passion? If you are interested in starting your own business, I definitely recommend Driven as essential reading. It's a first step to preparation that I would consider necessary for success. Driven is not limited to reading only for the entrepreneur, though. Managers and parents, anyone in a leadership position, for that matter, can take away valuable insight that may help them to become and do what they desire most in life. If you have a passion, pursue it, is his advice.
See my full review: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.c...
See my full review: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.c...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews