Don't Take Yes for an Answer by Steve Herz Summary
Overview of Don't Take Yes for an Answer
In "Don't Take Yes for an Answer," talent agent Steve Herz reveals why positive feedback can stunt your growth. Learn the AWE method - Authority, Warmth, Energy - that helped 200+ media personalities thrive. Could your career be suffering from too much "yes"?
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Key takeaways
The Courage to Hear Hard Truths
In a world obsessed with participation trophies and grade inflation, we've created a dangerous illusion: the counterfeit yes. This false affirmation keeps us comfortably mediocre, unaware of our weaknesses, and unprepared for real-world competition. Steve Herz, talent agent to over 250 top journalists and media personalities, has built his career on being what he calls a "social assassin" - someone willing to bypass niceties and deliver hard truths that transform careers. His framework has become essential reading at companies like Google and Goldman Sachs, where leaders recognize that in today's competitive landscape, the difference between good and great often comes down to how effectively we communicate and connect. When equally qualified professionals see their careers diverge dramatically, the question emerges: why them and not me? The answer rarely lies in technical skills. After twenty-five years guiding top talent, the evidence is clear: when education, work ethic, and intelligence are equal, success comes down to communication ability and human connection. The Carnegie Foundation found only 15% of financial success comes from technical knowledge - the remaining 85% stems from personality and communication skills. This finding has been consistently replicated by Harvard and Stanford research.
The AWE Framework: Your Path to Professional Transformation
Authority: The Power of Presence
Warmth: The Foundation of Trust
Energy: The Magnetic Force That Draws People In
Practical Application: Developing Your AWE
The Path Forward: Never Stop Growing
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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