Good Strategy/Bad Strategy

The Difference and Why It Matters

By: Richard Rumelt

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Good Strategy/Bad Strategy clarifies the muddled thinking underlying too many strategies and provides a clear way to create and implement a powerful action-oriented strategy for the real world.

Developing and implementing a strategy is the central task of a leader. A good strategy is a specific and coherent response to—and approach for—overcoming the obstacles to progress. A good strategy works by harnessing and applying power where it will have the greatest effect. Yet, Rumelt shows that there has been a growing and unfortunate tendency to equate Mom-and-apple-pie values, fluffy packages of buzzwords, motivational slogans, and financial goals with “strategy.”

In Good Strategy/Bad Strategy, he debunks these elements of “bad strategy” and awakens an understanding of the power of a “good strategy.” He introduces nine sources of power—ranging from using leverage to effectively focusing on growth—that are eye-opening yet pragmatic tools that can easily be put to work on Monday morning, and uses fascinating examples from business, nonprofit, and military affairs to bring its original and pragmatic ideas to life. The detailed examples range from Apple to General Motors, from the two Iraq wars to Afghanistan, from a small local market to Wal-Mart, from Nvidia to Silicon Graphics, from the Getty Trust to the Los Angeles Unified School District, from Cisco Systems to Paccar, and from Global Crossing to the 2007–08 financial crisis.

Reflecting an astonishing grasp and integration of economics, finance, technology, history, and the brilliance and foibles of the human character, Good Strategy/Bad Strategy stems from Rumelt’s decades of digging beyond the superficial to address hard questions with honesty and integrity.

Good book for a novice

I always wonder about and often scoff at “strategy”, because of all the bad strategy we see and hear. I’ve never taken business classes or been in business school - if you’re like me, you’d find this pretty interesting.

key deep systematic thinking w focus strategy

key deep systematic thinking w focus strategy. great not just for business leaders but people looking to lead in their own lives.

Must-Listen Insights about Business Strategy

This audiobook was a complete surprise, standing out as one of my top listens of the year. It's brimming with incredibly valuable insights for business, strategy and management. While it could benefit from being 25% shorter, its profound usefulness and engaging content make it an extremely rewarding and interesting experience. Highly recommended if you're looking for fresh perspectives, even if it runs a little long.

Best book on strategy

This has been by far the best book on strategy I have ever read The author has gone to great lengths to not just tell us what the best strategy is out but also how to detect bad strategies with a lot of great examples. I look very much forward to using this data in our business.

Excellent book. Excellent examples.

The author is clearly an authentic and gave examples of his own learning. He is effective in challenging the reader/listener to change.