Execution

The Discipline of Getting Things Done

By: Larry Bossidy, Ram Charan

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The audio that shows how to get the job done and deliver results...whether you're running an entire company or in your first management job.

Larry Bossidy is one of the world's most acclaimed CEOs, with a track record for delivering results. Ram Charan is a legendary adviser to senior executives and boards of directors, a man with unparalleled insight into why some companies are successful and others are not. Together they've pooled their knowledge and experience into one guide on how to close the gap between results promised and results delivered.

The discipline of execution means understanding how to link together people, strategy, and operations, the three core processes of every business. Leading these processes is the real job of running a business, not formulating a "vision" and leaving the work of carrying it out to others. Bossidy and Charan show the importance of being deeply and passionately engaged in an organization and why robust dialogues about people, strategy, and operations result in a business based on intellectual honesty and realism.

The leader's most important job - selecting and appraising people - is one that should never be delegated. As a CEO, Larry Bossidy personally makes the calls to check references for key hires. Why? With the right people in the right jobs, there's a leadership gene pool that conceives and selects strategies that can be executed. People then work together to create a strategy building block by building block, a strategy in sync with the realities of the marketplace, the economy, and the competition. Once the right people and strategy are in place, they are then linked to an operating process that results in the implementation of specific programs and actions and that assigns accountability. This kind of effective operating process goes way beyond the typical budget exercise that looks into a rearview mirror to set its goals. It puts reality behind the numbers and is where the rubber meets the road.

©2002 Crown Business
(P)2002 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A terrific book that will make smart managers rethink how business gets done within every level of their organization or department." (Publishers Weekly)
"A great practitioner and an insightful theorist join forces to write a compelling business story of 'how to get it done.'" (Jack Welch)

Good info, but it felt like a textbook at times

This was an interesting listen with a lot of usable information. It was a worthy investment of my time and money. It seemed like a textbook at times and probably had about one third of it as extraneous information.

I liked the way the authors alternated narration in the audiobook.

Good message, but too lengthy and out of date

"Execution" has a very good message about how to get things done. It clearly explains how to get from strategy to tactics, and sets the bar high for any executive that aspires to be a great leader. The audiobook adaptation is very well done, with three different voices (the two authors and a narrator) providing a good variation. Unfortunately, the book has several downsides: the examples of great companies were written in 2002 and some of these have had disappointing financial results due to not-so-great execution in more recent years, there are too many examples and mini-cases in the book that are not always relevant, and the book at times sounds too much like a Bossidy-hyping event. I would have gotten the point in an abridged version of less than 4 hours, instead of the excruciating 8 hours that this unabridged version takes out of your busy schedule.

The discipline of listening....

Larry & Ram set out to map out the whats and hows of execution. Many of the business books I've read have left out how to make it happen. Although some of the standout companies they cite are no longer at the top of their game, including GE, the principles they set forth are solid. I like the plain spoken explanations and examples

Ameen Alhassan

Its amazing and inspiring book
Full of examples of Getting Things done and Execution tips

Larry Bossidy is your executive coach..Awesome!

Clearly sets out the nuts and bolts of how you can drive execution in your business...Having Larry Bossidy as a personal coach is fantastic.
Loved the last chapter....

Incredible insight into the principles surrounding inspiring leaders to excel through execution

This book was an insightful learning experience while delving into the techniques and tactics used for inspiring and motivating leaders to meet and exceed goals through follow-through. I would highly recommend this book to any leader in any company to equip themselves in key principles for executing work goals and objectives.

Why everyone should read this book

Outstanding advice for all stakeholders to grasp the milestones/ solutions necessary for seamless execution of strategic goals.

Very informative

You almost feel like you're listening your dad using his experience to bring to reality, at least the business world.

Too Many Narrators

Any additional comments?

Overall the book has really good stories and is easy to follow however there are about three or four narrators and each one with their unique accent that makes the performance appear a bit unprofessional.

Great book! I will be reading it multiple times

Great book! I will be reading it multiple times. Recommended for all leaders, new or old