Summary Of The Book
Execution: The Discipline Of Getting Things Done will teach readers how to master the art of execution by understanding strategy, operations, and how to link people together. These three processes are at the center of every business.
The book clearly points out that top leaders give too much importance to creating a vision, devising strategies, and formulating plans. After doing so, they remove themselves from the picture and delegate tasks to their subordinates. This methodology is frowned upon in this book. Instead, it is recommended that leaders should adopt a hands-on approach. According to the authors, it very important to be passionate and deeply involved in one’s organization. Having robust dialogues about individuals, operations, and strategies, results in a business culture that is based on realism and honesty. Therefore actually “running” a business depends on carrying out these processes and not necessarily having a vision and leaving the responsibility of execution on others.
The authors also maintain that one important job that a leader must execute is choosing and evaluating people. A task that should not be passed on to others. This entails personally checking references for key candidates and ensures that the right people will be selected for the right job. A gene pool with leadership is able to conceive and select strategies for execution that are in alignment with the economy, competition, and marketplace. When the right individual and strategy are selected, an operating procedure is chosen. This results in specific programs getting implemented and assigning accountability. The methodology outlined in this book is effective because it spells out an operating process which transcends the usual way of looking at budget and goals.
Execution: The Discipline Of Getting Things Done was published in 2011.
About The Authors
Larry Bossidy is an Author, and the Chairman and Director of the pharmaceutical company Merck.
He has authored other titles such as Confronting Reality: Doing What Matters To Get Things Right and Leader To Leader.
Bossidy graduated with a degree in Economics from Colgate University. He began his career in the industry when he joined General Electric. In his 34 year career with GE, Bossidy climbed through the ranks to become the Chief Operating Officer. Bossidy then became the CEO of Honeywell International.
Ram Charan is an author, speaker, and well-known business advisor. He is highly acclaimed for his practical perspectives and uncanny problem-solving abilities.
Charan has authored other titles such as What The CEO Really Wants From You: The 4 As for Managerial Success, The Game-Changer: How Every Leader Can Drive Everyday Innovation, and The Talent Masters: Why Smart Leaders Put People Before Numbers.
Charan graduated from Harvard Business School as a Baker Scholar. Here, he acquired his MBA and DBA. He contributes frequently to Harvard Business Review and Fortune magazine.
