Book Review: The Diary of a CEO

The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett is a manifesto for ambitious builders. Drawing on his entrepreneurial journey, Bartlett offers candid insights into scaling businesses and navigating the rollercoaster of success. The book walks a fine line between authenticity and self-promotion.

In my opinion, the book’s conversational tone is a double-edged sword: it feels personal and accessible, but also sacrifices depth for relatability. Readers looking for transformative frameworks should skip this one.

Don’t get me wrong, it. But most of the insights are rebranded clichés dressed up in Instagram-worthy soundbites.

The Takeaway: Self-discipline is key to long-term success. Stop waiting for inspiration and instead build systems that make success inevitable.

200 MAX Rating

• Mindset: 2.5/5: 
  Bartlett wants to shift your perspective, but if you've spent any time in business, self-improvement, or startup culture, you've heard these ideas before—just with less gloss.

• Application 3/5: 
  You’ll nod along, but when it’s time to act, you might realize there’s not much to grab onto.

• X-Factor 4/5: 
  Bartlett is charismatic, and his storytelling is engaging, but that’s the main draw. The “wow” factor comes from his delivery, not the depth of the content.

If you’re interested in reading this book, you can buy it on Amazon with this link and I’ll earn a small commission.