The $100 MBA Show

MBA1453 Must Read: Barking Up The Wrong Tree by Eric Barker

Feb 3, 2020

Eric Barker, an author who challenges conventional wisdom about success and business, dives into groundbreaking insights from his book, 'Barking Up The Wrong Tree.' He explores how traditional beliefs about grades and hard work can mislead, highlighting the importance of innovation and critical thinking. Listeners will discover surprising perspectives on introversion, the true nature of effort, and the relationship between hard work and value creation. Barker's entertaining approach encourages a refreshing reconsideration of what success really means.

15:52

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Eric Barker

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Quick takeaways

Eric Barker challenges conventional wisdom by highlighting that good grades in school may not predict future success in entrepreneurship.

The podcast discusses how both introverts and extroverts have unique strengths that can be leveraged for greater success when balanced properly.

Deep dives

Rethinking Academic Success

Good grades in school are often viewed as essential for future success, but research indicates that they may not correlate with outstanding career achievements. Many high achievers in the academic setting struggle to innovate and think outside established norms, which can hinder their entrepreneurial spirit. Conversely, individuals who find school restrictive may appear to underperform academically yet possess the creativity and drive that lead to significant success later in life. The emphasis in education on rule-following can create a false sense of security for those who excel within that system, ultimately leaving them unprepared for the challenges of real-world entrepreneurship.

Intro

2min

Rethinking Success: Grades vs. Innovation

4min

Success Beyond the Classroom: Lessons on Effort, Personality, and Expertise

4min

Exploring Hard Work and Value Creation

4min

Conventional wisdom: how wise is it?

That’s the question Eric Barker asks in Barking Up The Wrong Tree, a super-entertaining challenge to everything you thought you knew about business.

In this highly original, inventive look at the usual advice about success, Barker takes aim at the most well-established assumptions. Commonly held beliefs about everything from education to confidence to productivity are all shaken down in a ruthless pursuit of truth — however uncomfortable it might be.

Put simply, this book changed our minds.

Today, we’ll discuss three of the most “Holy Crap” insights this book offers. It’s less about debunking, and more about reconsidering, with a thoughtful, un-self-serious approach. Barker begs to differ, but he doesn’t preach.

This subversion of all the classic assumptions isn’t just thought-provoking. It’s downright fun. Take a look at what you believe, and see what a little critical thinking can do to give you a better sense of how to achieve success. Click play at the top of the page!