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Principles

Life and Work

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Principles

Written by: Ray Dalio
Narrated by: Ray Dalio, Jeremy Bobb
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About this listen

An Avid Reader Press book. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

In 1975, Ray Dalio founded an investment firm, Bridgewater Associates, out of his two-bedroom apartment in New York City. Forty years later, Bridgewater has made more money for its clients than any other hedge fund in history and grown into the fifth most important private company in the United States, according to Fortune magazine. Dalio himself has been named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Along the way, Dalio discovered a set of unique principles that have led to Bridgewater’s exceptionally effective culture, which he describes as “an idea meritocracy that strives to achieve meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical transparency.” It is these principles, and not anything special about Dalio—who grew up an ordinary kid in a middle-class Long Island neighborhood—that he believes are the reason behind his success.

In Principles, Dalio shares what he’s learned over the course of his remarkable career. He argues that life, management, economics, and investing can all be systemized into rules and understood like machines. The book’s hundreds of practical lessons, which are built around his cornerstones of “radical truth” and “radical transparency,” include Dalio laying out the most effective ways for individuals and organizations to make decisions, approach challenges, and build strong teams. He also describes the innovative tools the firm uses to bring an idea meritocracy to life, such as creating “baseball cards” for all employees that distill their strengths and weaknesses, and employing computerized decision-making systems to make believability-weighted decisions. While the book brims with novel ideas for organizations and institutions, Principles also offers a clear, straightforward approach to decision-making that Dalio believes anyone can apply, no matter what they’re seeking to achieve.

Here, from a man who has been called both “the Steve Jobs of investing” and “the philosopher king of the financial universe” (CIO magazine), is a rare opportunity to gain proven advice unlike anything you’ll find in the conventional business press.
Investing & Trading Management & Leadership Personal Finance Personal Success Investing Business Career Management Inspiring Stock Leadership Thought-Provoking Money Success Sports Construction Business Product Strategy

What the critics say

“Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles.”
—Bill Gates
“I absolutely loved this book. It’s beautifully written and filled with such wisdom.”
—Arianna Huffington
“I found it to be truly extraordinary. Every page is full of so many principles of distinction and insights—and I love how Ray incorporates his history and his life in such an elegant way.”
—Tony Robbins
“Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach.”
—Michael Bloomberg
“It’s important and instructive to share what you’ve learned in life with others, and Ray does this in an interesting and provocative way in this compelling work.”
—Jamie Dimon
“Among a handful of philosopher-investors known not only for moneymaking prowess but also for their distinctive take on life.”
The Wall Street Journal
“What makes Dalio compelling is not just his track record but the way he goes about making money, and the rigorous analysis he applies to understanding markets, organizations, the economy, and life.”
Fortune

Editorial Review

If you’ve been looking for a guide to career, business, or financial success, or if you’re struggling with making decisions and facing challenges, Ray Dalio has the Principles to help you.

Principles is the perfect audiobook for anyone looking to kick-start their career or launch a business endeavour. In this how-to guide, as the title suggests, Ray Dalio shares his principles for effective management, investment success, and a rewarding life. Learn unconventional lessons from the author, a billionaire hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and start your journey to becoming your most successful self. Beyond laying out his trusted principles, Dalio explains how to follow them in such a way that greatness is inevitable.

For these golden rules of greatness, Dalio pulls from his own outstanding success in corporate management, investing, building strong teams, and making a difference in others’ lives. His practical lessons are grounded in his commitment to “radical” truth and transparency in all dealings. Narrating his own Principles, the author brings a level of expertise and influence to the work that is undeniable and compelling.

Principles: Life & Work is a New York Times best seller, and has garnered widespread praise for its unique but poignant steps to success. His take on corporate culture and interpersonal management focuses on straight-shooting factual feedback which aims to build and empower employees towards success. At times unconventional, Dalio’s Principle is a must-listen for high-achievers in the corporate world and beyond.

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All stars
Most Relevant
the amount of wisdom in this book is mindbogglng. Ray somehow makes a very large book with absolutely zero fluff. every lesson the billionaire has learnt is distilled into simple organized rules (or principles for life). one of the very few books I've come back to and read. it's like an encyclopedia for success and dealing with situations in life.

probably the best book ever written.

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A clear, straight-forward approach to decision making.

Believability-weighting. An idea meritocracy that strives for meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical truth and radical transparency.

Our company created a culture using this thesis.

Invest time into your business partners; it's a non-renewable resource.

Money builds the machine but doesn't work to maintain it. People and technology drive their own ambitions and desires. Control the system or of your time in the future.

Building Principles & Processes

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I changed the speed to 1.05 to get through slightly faster. Ray is easy to understand.
Could have been 5/5, but not everyone will like Ray Dalio as much as I do. Has a lot of market & biographical information.

Long intro, good body

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Dalio has walked the walk and here is what he has learned. The is akin to an expanded case study on Covey's 7-habits. This truly is Dalio's manifesto on life, leadership and success. This will be a re-read for me as there is just so much content and it is all practical... zero fluff.

So much great content, I need to re-listen.

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While I don’t fully agree with all the principles, I like how this book explains the thought behind each of them and why Ray adopts them. I loved the stories about Ray’s life happenings and how he reacted to them, it’s very inspiring. Anybody who wants to run a company or be successful in life should listen to his words. I just wish he read the entire book, I like his voice better. Can’t wait for the economic principles!

Insight in a great mind

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