How to Get to the Top - critical summary review

In this book, the author distills a career’s worth of business wisdom into brief, actionable lessons rooted in values learned at the family dinner table. Written in Fox's signature punchy, no-nonsense style, the book offers practical insights drawn from personal experience, real-life case studies, and advice from successful business leaders like George Steinbrenner, Jim Donald (Starbucks), and Leslie Blodgett (Bare Escentuals). The result is a compact manual that emphasizes that character, consistency, and common sense are the real keys to long-term business success.

Fox opens with a powerful reminder: your manners matter. Whether you're eating alone or in a high-stakes client dinner, how you behave communicates volumes. He urges readers to master table etiquette, always compliment the chef, and never become intoxicated in business settings. These aren’t about appearances—they're signals of self-control, respect, and readiness for leadership.

He also mentions the significance of punctuality, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication. For instance, saying someone's name instead of using pronouns personalizes your message and builds trust. These seemingly minor behaviors add up to create a personal brand of professionalism that stands out in any industry.

Fox’s uncommon sense for success

Jeffrey J. Fox, in the opening chapters of his book, shares powerful yet easy-to-understand life and career lessons through vivid stories and analogies. In the first chapter, “When Thomas Jefferson Dined Alone,” he points out the significance of good table manners, even when no one is watching. Whether you're at a family dinner or a business lunch, how you behave at the table reveals a lot about your discipline and respect for yourself and others. It’s not just about etiquette; it’s about self-awareness and dignity, and how you present yourself matters, always.

In “Hire a Helicopter,” Fox shares a true story about a humble, loyal mailroom worker named Joe who saved a major client’s production line by going above and beyond. He stayed late at work one Saturday and answered a ringing phone that led to a crisis. His quick thinking, loyalty, and initiative led to a helicopter delivery that saved millions. The lesson? Even small roles can have massive impact when someone acts like they own the responsibility. Great careers are built on acts of ownership, not just job descriptions.

Then Fox praises the strength and multi-tasking mastery of working and especially single moms. He compares them to CEOs, doing dozens of jobs at once: managing time, money, people, problems, and emotions daily. Their relentless focus, problem-solving, and sacrifice make them incredible role models not only at home but also in the workplace. To succeed in your career, juggle your responsibilities with the precision, care, and grit of a single mom.

Lead from the inside out

Fox uses a football analogy to explain that true leaders must be effective both inside their organization (with their team) and outside (with clients, partners, and the public). Just like the Army’s football stars, one strong on the inside, the other fast on the outside, a great professional must know how to build relationships and influence both internally and externally. He advises employees to think like future CEOs. Keep a list of practical, positive ideas on how to improve the company and send it to a new CEO if the chance arises. This shows that you're thoughtful, solution-oriented, and invested in the company’s future, even if you’re not yet in a leadership role.

Fox remembers how his dad taught him the value of hard work, education, and pride in how one lives. His dad used rundown houses as examples of what happens when people give up. The message: being poor isn’t shameful but being lazy and careless is. Always strive, work, and take pride in your efforts. Also, Fox warns against misusing top talent. A great warrior should fight battles, not serve food. Similarly, in business, don’t take your best salesperson off the field to do paperwork. Keep the best people doing what they do best.

Business wisdom with a human touch

Fox offers practical, heartfelt advice that blends ethical living with smart business. He begins by encouraging generous gestures toward those who serve society selflessly, teachers, clergy, and soldiers by suggesting we anonymously pick up their check if we can afford it. It’s not about showing off, but about gratitude and quiet respect. He then warns against toxic behaviors, introducing the idea of “unlearning the bad ABCs” anger, blame, criticism, and complaining because such actions ruin relationships and reputations.

In another chapter, he brings attention to the often-overlooked efforts of chefs, especially those at home. He reminds readers to always compliment the chef, as cooking is an invisible form of labor that can bring families and colleagues together over meaningful meals. Kind words go a long way, he says because one day, you may have to eat your own harsh words. That’s why it’s wise to speak sweetly, even during conflict.

Fox then moves on to the subject of moping, describing it as a selfish, unproductive habit that drains energy from everyone around. His advice is simple: stop sulking, get moving, and do something productive instead. Finally, he debunks the idea that “quality is Job 1.” Fox argues that marketing and knowing what the customer wants are truly Job 1. Customers expect decent quality; what really matters is understanding, attracting, and retaining them through value and consistency.

The real ROI: respect, opportunity, and insight

In “Tip As If You Were the Tippee,” he reminds us that tipping isn't just about extra money—it’s about respect. People who rely on tips, like waiters or babysitters, often work hard behind the scenes and deserve appreciation. Fox compares traditional tip-based jobs to bonuses and commissions in the corporate world, showing that everyone is a “tippee” in some way.

Fox emphasizes the core of any successful business: understanding why a customer would choose you over anyone else. He challenges readers to honestly ask themselves, “If I were the customer, why would I do business with me?” It’s not about catchy slogans but knowing the real value you offer. This clarity helps businesses decide how to price, market, innovate, and communicate effectively.

“No Bad ROT” focuses on time specifically, how not to waste it. Fox introduces the concept of “ROT,” or Return On Time. Bad ROT includes pointless meetings, chasing dead-end clients, or fixing minor problems while ignoring major opportunities. He urges businesspeople to use time wisely, invest in things that truly matter, and stop pouring effort into lost causes. The key takeaway: time, like money, must be spent where it brings the biggest return.

Fox stresses that no matter your role (CEO, accountant, or factory worker), you should understand what it’s like to sell the product or service. Salespeople are on the front lines; they see customers' reactions, frustrations, and needs firsthand. He also makes a bold but thoughtful claim: kids should work. Not in unsafe or illegal ways, but in age-appropriate, real-life jobs like babysitting, lawn mowing, or helping in a family store. Working young teaches responsibility, discipline, and the value of earning. Fox encourages hiring people who had jobs as kids, as they’ve already learned how to work hard and contribute.

Be clear, be sharp, be sober

Fox encourages parents to empower daughters to break stereotypes, using something as small as learning to whistle loudly as a symbol of confidence and nonconformity. He then stresses clear communication in “No ‘They,’ ‘He,’ ‘She,’ ‘Her,’ ‘Him’,” urging us to use names, not vague pronouns, to avoid confusion in both conversations and business. In “Buzzsaw the Buzzwords,” Fox rails against trendy, meaningless business jargon that muddies real ideas and marks you as unoriginal. Instead of parroting phrases like “synergy” or “solutions,” he suggests using plain, authentic language that customers can actually understand.

The chapter “Ask Mikey” shares a true and funny story about a car wash worker who can spot good hires better than any resume or interview, illustrating that sometimes the simplest solutions, and sharpest judgments, come from unlikely experts. In “The S.W. Rule,” Fox reminds us that failure is normal and part of business some people will buy, some won’t, so what? Keep moving forward. Then in “No Slow No,” he emphasizes the importance of rejecting offers quickly and politely, so people aren’t strung along and can find other options.

Using humor to handle pressure is the theme in “Miss These Shots and We Lose the Game,” where a well-timed joke on the basketball court leads to victory and shows how leaders can diffuse tension with wit. Fox also warns against mixing personal beliefs with business, noting that political or religious displays can turn off customers and drive them away.

Play the game, don’t watch it

Fox advises that leaders succeed by hiring smart, positive people, telling them what needs to be done and why, then stepping back to let them handle the how. Praise often, credit others, and keep climbing. He points out how significant is being authentic—fake accents, fake compliments, and trying too hard to impress just push people away. In “Don’t Shirk,” Fox encourages accountability: take on the messy jobs, face hard tasks head-on, and be someone who gets things done, not someone who runs.

Fox says forget fixing people’s flaws instead, double down on their strengths. Don’t waste time trying to make a genius inventor into a smooth talker. He drives home the idea that showing up ready and reliable opens doors, sometimes forever. The story of a player who kept his shoes instead of giving them to someone unprepared shows that being ready wins trust and opportunities.

Fox explains that successful salespeople close deals by simply and respectfully asking for the sale. “Only Bet on Yourself” urges people to avoid gambling on things they can’t control, focus on yourself, your knowledge, and your choices. Finally, “Muddy Boots Are Money Boots” reminds us that results are found in the field, not behind a desk, and “No Unintended Consequences” shuts down excuses. True leaders anticipate problems, ask tough questions, and take full responsibility. Altogether, Fox delivers a masterclass in being effective, ethical, and real in business and in life.

Final notes

What makes “How to Get to the Top” truly powerful is its blend of practicality, clarity, and timeless wisdom. Fox strips away fluff and corporate jargon to deliver clear-eyed truths that apply across industries and roles. You don’t need to be a CEO to benefit—you just need a willingness to listen, act, and improve.

Whether you’re trying to grow your business, earn a promotion, or just be a better professional, this book will sharpen your mindset and equip you with habits that lead to real, lasting success. In the end, “How to Get to the Top” isn’t just a business book, it’s a guide to becoming someone worth following.

12min tip

“Supercommunicators,” by Charles Duhigg, will change the way you speak and listen by revealing the hidden layers behind every conversation and teaching you how to truly connect. With gripping stories and science-backed insights, Charles Duhigg gives you the tools to transform misunderstandings into meaningful dialogue in every area of life.