When simplicity falls short in The Diary of a CEO
The Diary of a CEO arrives with considerable reputation and reach, so I came to it curious about what had resonated with so many readers. The promise is access: distilled wisdom from high-profile conversations, framed as lessons for work and life.
As I read, I found myself increasingly disconnected from the material. Much of the advice felt familiar to the point of repetition, often presented in broad strokes that skimmed over complexity rather than engaging with it. Ideas that deserved nuance were reduced to aphorisms, and challenge was frequently replaced with reassurance.
What troubled me more, though, was the unexamined context in which many of the insights sat. The experiences being drawn upon were often shaped by privilege, scale and opportunity, yet these conditions were rarely acknowledged. Without that reflection, advice risks sounding universal while being anything but.
There is value here for readers new to leadership or personal development, particularly those looking for accessible entry points. The tone is positive and the intent generous. For me, however, the book stopped short of asking harder questions or offering depth beyond the surface.
The Diary of a CEO may work well as inspiration, but for readers seeking complexity, contradiction and realism, it is likely to feel underpowered.
