Hot Seat

Hard-Won Lessons in Challenging Times

By: Jeff Immelt, Amy Wallace

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

The raw, inspiring story of Jeff Immelt's 16 years leading the iconic General Electric.

The former CEO of General Electric, one of the most influential CEOs, shares the ideas and values of leadership he learned through times of crises.

In September 2001, Jeff Immelt replaced the most famous CEO in history, Jack Welch, at the helm of General Electric. Less than a week into his tenure, the 9/11 terrorist attacks shook the nation, and the company, to its core. GE was connected to nearly every part of the tragedy - GE-financed planes powered by GE-manufactured engines had just destroyed real estate that was insured by GE-issued policies. Facing an unprecedented situation, Immelt knew his response would set the tone for businesses everywhere that looked to GE - one of America's biggest and most-heralded corporations - for direction. No pressure.

Over the next 16 years, Immelt would lead GE through many more dire moments, from the 2008-09 global financial crisis to the 2011 meltdown of Fukushima's nuclear reactors, which were designed by GE. But Immelt's biggest challenge was inherited: Welch had handed over a company that had great people but was short on innovation. Immelt set out to change GE's focus by making it more global, more rooted in technology, and more diverse. But the stock market rarely rewarded his efforts, and GE struggled.

In Hot Seat, Immelt offers a rigorous, candid interrogation of himself and his tenure, detailing for the first time his proudest moments and his biggest mistakes. The most crucial component of leadership, he writes, is the willingness to make decisions. But knowing what to do is a thousand times easier than knowing when to do it. Perseverance, combined with clear communication, can ensure progress, if not perfection, he says. That won't protect any CEO from second-guessing, but Immelt explains how he's pushed through even the most withering criticism: by staying focused on his team and the goals they tried to achieve. As the business world continues to be rocked by stunning economic upheaval, Hot Seat is an urgently needed, and unusually raw, source of authoritative guidance for decisive leadership in uncertain times.

A memoir of successful leadership in times of crisis: the former CEO of General Electric, named one of the 'World's Best CEOs' three times by Barron's, shares the hard-won lessons he learned from his experience leading GE immediately after 9/11, through the economic devastation of the 2008-09 financial crisis and into an increasingly globalised world.

©2021 Jeffrey Immelt (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic Reviews

"Jeff Immelt has always been one of my leadership role models. He leads with head and heart. This book shows how leadership is a full contact sport and Jeff leaves everything on the field." (John Donahoe, CEO, Nike) 

"Read this book. You'll be a better leader for it." (David Rogier, founder and CEO, MasterClass) 

A really interesting story to follow, but annoying word/audio cuts throughout

A really interesting insight into leadership in a crisis, and I learned quite a bit about GE too which I’ve never really known much about. It is a huge and complex company and I cannot fathom how anyone could run it. This is certainly the book for this time as the world is living in uncertainty and crisis mode, and will be for some time. A good listen for any aspiring leader, and for anyone who just has an interest in leadership in general. The narration was great, really good to listen to. My one fault with it which was annoying was that throughout the audio book at different points it kept on cutting out a word which would break the flow. I almost returned it, but the story was so interesting to listen to and I was learning a lot so I persevered with that annoyance. I hope this can be fixed as it really is a good book!

Inspiring leadership

Less the two last chapters, which are about protecting his legacy, the book is an excellent read about practical leadership.

Refreshing

Very refreshing to hear a balanced perspective on a very challenging job. Would have preferred the author to read whole book themselves