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  • Principles

  • Life and Work
  • Written by: Ray Dalio
  • Narrated by: Ray Dalio, Jeremy Bobb
  • Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,281 ratings)

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Principles

Written by: Ray Dalio
Narrated by: Ray Dalio, Jeremy Bobb
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Publisher's Summary

Ray Dalio, one of the world's most successful investors and entrepreneurs, shares the unconventional principles that he's developed, refined, and used over the past 40 years to create unique results in both life and business - and which any person or organization can adopt to help achieve their goals.

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 has 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Ray Dalio (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio

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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What listeners say about Principles

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    5 out of 5 stars

probably the best book ever written.

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.

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Building Principles & Processes

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.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Long intro, good body

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.

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    4 out of 5 stars

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

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.

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Insight in a great mind

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!

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Great book, could not stop listening

I started listening and had a hard time to stop, finished in only two sessions. I found many of the principles very interesting and several I already use in my daily life.

I believe that it is a must read for new supervisors or those who are in management positions. Some of the teachings I believe would benefit many of the organizations I have been a part of in the past.

Will definitely give it another listen and know that I will pull something new out every listen. I will most likely listen to the audiobook a couple of times a year.

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Insightful and Powerful.

I have heard portions of these kinds of principles from various sources over the years but until now have not been able to find a single source that goes into such detail and depth about building an organizational culture and people management. Something I have struggled with in recent years in a new role as manager in charge of building up people and systems within the company. This book gives a lot of clear guidance on where I can improve significantly in the work place. Being able to see so deeply and with great clarity into how a larger successful organization has operated and grown gives me a lot more motivation to do better.

After listening to the audio book I have purchased the hard copy and will do so as a gift to colleagues and friend/family.

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Thank you Ray Dalio!

Very highly recommend Principles! Incredible wisdom and amazing practical knowledge on the subjects of leadership and management.

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The Holy Grail For Systemizing Work & Life

I will go back to this book and implement likely everything it mentions. You couldn’t dream of a more practical book than this if you are a high performing individual looking to scale yourself and grow everyone to their full potentials!

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great book

great book on leadership, life and business management.
could listen to ray dalio speak on anything. he's experienced so much.

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