Winning

By: Jack Welch, Suzy Welch

Narrated by: Jack Welch

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jack Welch knows how to win. During his 40-year career at General Electric, he led the company to year-after-year success around the globe, in multiple markets, against brutal competition. His honest, be-the-best style of management became the gold standard in business, with his relentless focus on people, teamwork, and profits.

Welch's optimistic, no excuses, get-it-done mind-set is riveting. Packed with personal anecdotes and written in Jack's distinctive no-b.s. voice, Winning is a great read and a great business book. It offers deep insights, original thinking, and nuts-and-bolts advice that are bound to change the way people think about work.

Want to learn more about Jack Welch and Winning? Download this free interview.

©2005 Jack Welch (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"It's difficult to think of anyone in business who wouldn't benefit from reading this savvy, engaging cubicle-to-boardroom guide to success." (Publishers Weekly)

Jack's Alltime-Best

Jack has outdone himself. His first book was great; repleat with stories of his experiences at GE. This new book surpasses it, and all the other business "self-improvement" books in print. This book does not merely give "window dressing" with a littiny of "war stories". It is a virtual "Bible" of strategies, tips, and lessons on how to deal with the most difficust business crises, problems, and stressful circumstances. It looks at these problems not only from management or company admin; but also from the eyes and views of the individual employees as well. He takes you through hiring, finding the right job, handling the difficult boss; handling difficulties of mergers and acquisitions, both from the acquiree's and aquireror's perspectives. He addresses the problems of how businesses enter into new product or service areas, both by start up, or by acquisition. He teaches the do's and don'ts of both. He talks candidly about "six sigma" the uses and non-uses of the program; why it works, why it doesen't. He talks about the difficult decisions to "fire", when to "cut bait" with a poor performing employee (and how to do it gracefully). He also addresses real business situation problems form the employee's standpoint-- how to deal with demotion, non-promotion, or outright termination. It is clearly the best business book around, it will be an all time classic in the business world. And, to top things off, Jack reads this in his own voice, with his unique brand of enthusiasm, energy, positive attitude, magic, "PMA" whatever you want to call it. Impressive.

40 of 44 people found this review helpful

The Real Deal

If you could sum up Winning in three words, what would they be?

Brash, Real, Applicable

What did you like best about this story?

Jacks experience in forging ahead with a style of management that was uncommon at the time is a testament to his strength as a leader and a true pioneer in the business world.

What about Jack Welch’s performance did you like?

The stories of his past and what he came through as an individual

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, too much detail and too many concepts to expect to digest in one sitting

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great insights for aspiring leaders

I have listened to this book several times. It is entertaining and inspirational, filled with many useful and practical insights into business management and leadership.
Jacks Welsh reads the book himself and this conveys the emotion of the events he describes so much better than a professional narrator ever could. It's almost like being in the boardroom with him, understanding his thought process and how he works complex business problems towards a solution.
This book is so much more than an autobiography of Jack's time running GE.. it shines light on what goes on behind the closed doors of the boardrooms of billion dollar companies and shows that the difficulties and business decisions being made are no different than you are making in your own job today - - there are just a few more commas and bigger dollar signs attached.
For those who disagree with Jack's hard-hitting management style, there is a lot to learn whether you agree with his decisions or oppose them. As you listen to Jack explain some of the difficult situations he was faced with, you can decide how you would have handled the situation.
Overall a very useful and entertaining management and leadership workbook.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Ok if you're in upper level management

I was kind of disappointed in this book. I very much enjoyed From The Gut -- but this one had much less to do with individual motivation and more to do with being a CEO. While this might sound good at first glance, somehow it just missed the mark in transferring helpful information. There are just too many other better audio programs available to waste a credit on this book.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Great Book for Executives & New Careers.

This book put agendas and personnel into simple perspective.

I would recommend this book to Executives trying to build a team or someone just starting their career.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Have quoted this a lot lately

Have always worked for small companies where I never had the benefit of the kind mentoring or meetings where this kind of knowledge is passed down. While I have struggled with his concepts of frankness and performance based evaluations I found the book very useful.

I have quoted this book extensively over the last several months and it has definitely helped.

I always struggle with some of these business bio books as to whether they are just “I am so great” exercises, but it’s not like he was running a dairy queen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Only for conglomerates

Disappointing. Jack Welch is a genius but this audio is spent mostly from the perspective of the big conglomerate companies. Mergers, acquistions, etc. Sure, you can pick up a few good thoughts but I wouldn't spend my money on it unless you are running a GE size company.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

A

One year ago I listened to Jack Welch's first book "Straight From the Gut". Since I thought that the book was okay but not really applicable to me I was reluctant to try Jack's new book "Winning". Well, I'm glad I did. Over the years I've read and listened to several books on career management, time planning and success and in that time I can count on one hand the number of titles that I would consider worth the time I invested in them. "Winning" is definitely in the category of keepers.

Written from the perspective of someone who has "been there and done that" and done it very successfully, Welch's book contains a wealth of practical first-hand information on how to manage one's career. Everything in the book I have either experienced first-hand or have seen happen to others. I wish this book had been available at the start of my career 10 years ago.

Highly recommended, especially for recent graduates.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Do you want to win?

I'm not one that spends time to write a review, but I knew after hearing this book that I must. We all know that Mr. Welch has a tremendous following so this is another review that validates it and exposes another value or two to an individual. From the many incredible mentors I've had in the past I've heard many things that I can refer to within this book. One that I can state here is this, we?ve all heard that "Practice makes perfect", but how about "Perfect practice make Perfect" Well Mr. Welch has exposed not only his toolbox but the wisdom and history he has attained from using it.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Book but the Narration...

I don't read a lot of business books - most are collections of common sense or just a new fad. "Winning" is different, and this one actually contains some actionable ideas for companies and individuals.

The one problem I have with the book is the narrator (Jack Welch). There's been a disturbing trend lately for authors to read their own works, either through ego or whatever, and most need to stick to their day jobs. Welch's delivery sets a new low for this category, making a great book a difficult listen with his poor enunciation and grating voice. I kept wanting him to get a drink of water or clear his throat, not to mention slow down the delivery.

While Welch's passion shows through, and I highly recommend the content, his rendition of his work makes slogging through an ordeal. I would have given the book five stars but for this.

To Mr. Welch and those other "self-read" authors: Please let the professionals do it and stick with writing.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

This book is my mentor and should be yours too

Best how to guide for any level of leadership. For people in charge and people heading the way up.
Do's and don'ts with shiny examples. Easy to listen, digest and try yourself.

Good though might not be 100% relevant

I'm a VP at a small fast growing tech company. I've worked in corporates too.

I enjoyed Jack's autobiography- it gave me real insight into how a CEO of a complex business like GE thinks.

This book had some lessons that are equally relevant to whatever your role. Recruitment has always been a subject I think Jack excels at and he explains his methods well. Mergers and acquisitions were interesting to me though unlikely to apply - fascinating though.

Some opinions and best practices might not be all that relevant but it still makes a good read.

Best book this year!!

This is probably the best book I have listened to this year. It's a great business bible. Jam packed full of hints, tips, philosophies and advice. I've learnt so much from it that I know I will listen to this again and again 😁😁👍🏼👍🏼

great listen really enjoyed the real life stories

really enjoyed the real life stories in the book. would recommend due to the candour and honest approach to managing people each and winning

Calling it straight

Enjoyed this book. Feel that a lot of key areas were addressed in a straight forward and candid manner.
Guidance was given for those that want to succeed yet at the same time the book gives advice on how to deal with set backs.
Recommend to anyone who wants to lead.

Tips for Winning, in business and perhaps life

Would you consider the audio edition of Winning to be better than the print version?

I would not say that this is better than the print version, however is a great addition. As it really compliments the print version really well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Welch who is at the heart of this. It is about his views on winning, so intrinsically he is at the heart of this

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I think it was the overall essence of book ...which is a simple concept around winning. I personally like how well it is structured. It is simple and easy to understand.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The section on leadership and how to work though difficult times, like working for a bad boss.

Any additional comments?

It is a good book that is brought to life the simplicity of some business issues. Winning is not easy there are some easy rules that one needs to follow. Overall the book was insightful and inspiring.