Ep 23 The 33 Laws of Success: Lessons from The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett

In this episode of The Business Book Club, we break down The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, an unconventional business book that challenges traditional success strategies. Instead of generic advice, Bartlett presents 33 thought-provoking laws covering everything from mindset and branding to leadership and personal growth.

We explore his take on mastering yourself, building a standout brand, leading high-performing teams, and even how failure can be your greatest advantage. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or creative thinker, this episode is packed with insights to help you rethink success.

Key Concepts Covered
The Five Buckets of Success: Build in the Right Order

✅ Knowledge – Master your craft first.

✅ Skills – Develop expertise that lasts.

✅ Network – Build meaningful connections.

✅ Resources – Gather the right tools.

✅ Reputation – Let results speak for themselves.

• Teaching forces deeper understanding—Bartlett committed to posting daily ideas at 21 to refine his thinking.


• The Feynman Technique: If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t fully understand it.

• Find common ground before debating—people listen more when they feel heard.


• Validating someone’s perspective first lowers their defenses and leads to productive conversations.

• Willpower is a limited resource—fighting habits head-on leads to burnout.


• Instead, identify the habit loop (trigger → routine → reward) and replace the routine while keeping the reward.

• "Useless absurdity will define you more than useful practicality."


• Example: Tesla’s Ludicrous Mode or Steven Bartlett’s company installing a giant slide—quirky, memorable branding wins.

• "You must outfail the competition"—frequent failure means faster learning.


• Companies like Booking.com run constant experiments, embracing failure as fuel for innovation.

• Bartlett shares the story of Nando Parado, who survived 72 days in the Andes with no Plan B—just pure determination.


• Having a backup plan can sometimes weaken your commitment to your main goal.

✅ Ask “Who,” not “How” – Find the right people to solve problems instead of figuring everything out yourself.

✅ The Three-Bar Test – If everyone on your team were like this person, would your company improve, stay the same, or decline?

✅ Leverage the Power of Progress – Small wins create momentum (e.g., British cycling’s “marginal gains” approach).

✅ Be an Inconsistent Leader – Adapt your leadership style to each team member’s motivation, like Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United.

• Framing Matters – How you present something changes its perceived value.


• Friction Can Create Value – Red Bull’s bitter taste makes people think it’s stronger.


• Negative Manifestation – The Premortem Method helps anticipate and prevent failure.

Actionable Takeaways

✅ Prioritize mastering knowledge and skills before chasing reputation or resources.

✅ Replace bad habits by tweaking the routine, not just forcing willpower.

✅ Differentiate yourself with branding that’s bold, unexpected, and memorable.

✅ See failure as an advantage—test, iterate, and learn faster than competitors.

✅ Lead by adapting—different people require different leadership approaches.

✅ Frame your product, message, or brand in a way that maximizes perceived value.

Top Quotes

📌 “You don’t become a master because you’re able to retain knowledge. You become a master when you’re able to release it”

📌 “Disagree less, understand more.”

📌 “Stop telling yourself you’re not qualified, good enough, or worthy. Growth happens when you start doing the things you’re not qualified to do”

• The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett – Get the book here


• The Weekend Book Club: Explore deeper insights with our sister channel, including a detailed video summary and a free downloadable Ebook summary of this book.

Want to build a brand that stands out, master your mindset, and lead with impact? Start by implementing one of Bartlett’s 33 laws—whether it’s reframing failure, redefining leadership, or embracing the power of branding.

If you enjoyed this deep dive, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and check out our sister channel, The Weekend Book Club, for even more insights and practical tools to apply Steven’s ideas.

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