To Be or Not to Be Intimidated?: That Is the Question

by Robert J. Ringer

Book Overview

In candid terms the book explains what intimidation is, why you become intimidated, and how you can avoid the mental lapses that can cause even the most successful people to sometimes fall victim to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590770358
• ISBN13: 9781590770351
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: M. Evans and Company
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Delightful Romp Through the Real World of Business

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?

Entertaining and educational

Ringer does an excellent job of writing. His stories are amusing and well written. While his experiences are based in the real estate arena, I can vouch for their existence in my work as well. He does a fantastic job of entertaining while educating. Life is full of choices. His choice of the turtle for his image is brilliant. Slow and steady wins the race. Outwork and outprepare your opponents. Never forget that in most business deals, win win in the other guys mind means he wins and he wins. You will run into some honorable men but their goals are to optimize their side, not your side. Even honest men are not trying to help you they just wont lie to you while they do it. Great read and well worth it.

Read this book and change your life! It changed mine!

Originally titled 'Winning Through Intimidation', Robert Ringer's 'To Be or Not To Be Intimidated' is one of the books that has made a profound impact on my life. It is indeed very true when the author explains that the degree of success or outcomes we desire is closely related to the level of intimidation we allow ourselves to feel. The book is very relevant because we are constantly involved in situations that may make us feel intimidated. It could be negotiating a business transaction, getting a faulty product replaced, cold calling, speaking in public or even explaining to a spouse why you were back home so late. Robert Ringer's various illustrations based upon his own experiences are engaging and enlightening. Whether you are an entrepreneur or working for your boss, read this book and you will clearly understand why we sometimes do not get the outcomes we desire. Robert's writing style is very direct, straight to the point and no nonsense. So if you are expecting some motivational fluff, you may want to look elsewhere. The advise in this book are lessons in life that you will not learn in any MBA lesson. I really wish I had read Robert's book earlier on when I started my business. I could have avoided a lot of mistakes and saved myself lots of agony. I have personally met Robert at a seminar, and I am impressed by his wisdom, wit and friendly nature. I wholeheartedly recommend 'To Be or Not To Be Intimidated' to anyone who truly aspires to be successful in business and life.

Good update of a great book

"To Be or Not to Be Intimitated" is a good update of a great book, and the title is much more appropriate than the original "Winning Through Intimidation" since the subject matter of the book is the psychology of intimidation. It is not a book about running roughshod over the other guy by being an intimidator. The book lays out Ringer's basic philosophy of business and is filled with anecdotes of how he, Ringer, changed his success ratio in selling simply by recognizing how business is conducted on a day to day basis and applying what he learned. This book should be part of "Business 101" in every business school in the country. If you haven't read "Winning Through Intimidation, buy this book now; if you haven't read "Winning Through Intimidation" in the last year, buy this book and rekindle the fire started the first time you read it.

*****

This is the same basic text as WINNING THROUGH INTIMIDATION, but is rewritten, with whole passages added in spots. If you just want the basic message, then either book will do. But if you're like me, and you've read the previous version many times, the subtle differences in this version of the book are worth reading. Like only a dedicated Beatles fan could probably tell the differences between the album LET IT BE and the recent "newer" 2003 version titled LET IT BE...NAKED, and appreciate them, too. A passing fan would think, "What's the difference?" So this book (if you've already read the earlier version) is for the dedicated Ringer reader only. If you've read neither, this is the preferable version.