Live First, Work Second

by Rebecca Ryan

Live First, Work Second helps you understand the next generation - your children, your employees, your volunteers, patrons and donors ... and your future leaders. The book summarizes the collective intelligence of over 20,000 interviews with members of the next generations, and presents the findings in an accessible, sometimes irreverant style, in which the reader becomes a co-consiprator in creating better places to live and work.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

118 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2007

Reviews

[Geri chesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on cd. Enjoyed the author's enthusiastic reading.

[CandyceCarden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Live First, Work Second is short but filled with wisdom. Charts and tables exist alongside entertaining case studies. This subject should be boring but Ryan’s presentation of the data is engaging and so filled with insight that you’ll say, “Aha!” over and over again. I like her even more because she has the uncanny ability to sneak in the unexpected. I laughed out loud more than once. Here’s an example as she explains her reasons for studying the next generation:

“We do it because we need the next generation to work in our companies, buy our products, participate in our government, live in our cities and patronize the causes we care about. We need Next Gens to bring us booze and cigarettes when we’re in the old folks’ home.”

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books discusses the values of millenials (born 1982-2001) and how that impacts their perspective on work, life, and where they want to live. The author has great insights as to why this generation is putting their life before work. This book would be of interest to a wide range of people... Human Resources and managers in the workplace trying to understand this generation, city planners trying to attract and retain young people, and those interested in psychology & sociology.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fast read. Instructive and clear. Her use of anecdotes and examples of the differences between the past generations and the one that is presently in the process of becoming is helpful. The last chapter and the last few pages (each page summarizing the traits of each individual generation from 1920's to the present) are particularly worthwhile.

[John Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Next Generation founder R. Ryan made a second visit to Wausau in 2009. Now a few folks are looking at how to put the 7 factor vitality index to work on making this a 'cool' community. Should be fun!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read...indispensible for the "gray heads" planning for the future of their working and living spaces.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's advice is worthwhile, but the excruciatingly casual tenor of the book made it a tough read for me. It is a quick read if you can get past the distractions.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead on. I wish every employer was forced to read this book!
Also- I want to work with Rebecca Ryan.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. it was ok. kinda drug on too long with a message I felt could have been summed up quickly. Some good charts on different generations & their unique characteristics. Easy read.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

re-read this. a bit oversimplified, but still pertinent. I like her irreverent tone.

[Stephanie Lillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

On point!