The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive

A Leadership Fable

By: Patrick Lencioni

Narrated by: Charles Stransky; introduction by Patrick Lencioni

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

As CEO, most everything that Rich O'Connor did had something to do with at least one of the four disciplines on his famed "yellow sheet." Some of the firm's executives joked that he was obsessed with it.

Interestingly, only a handful of people actually knew what was on that sheet, and so it remained something of a mystery. Which was okay with Rich, because no one really needed to understand it, other than him. He certainly never suspected that it would become the blueprint of an employee's plan to destroy the firm.
In this stunning follow-up to his best-selling book, The Five Temptations of a CEO, Patrick Lencioni offers up another leadership fable that's every bit as compelling and illuminating as its predecessor.

This time, Lencioni's focus is on a leader's crucial role in building a healthy organization - an often overlooked but essential element of business life that is the linchpin of sustained success.

Listeners are treated to a story of corporate intrigue as Rich O'Connor, fictional CEO of technology consulting company Telegraph Partners, faces a leadership challenge so great that it threatens to topple his company, his career and everything he holds true about what makes a leader.

In the story's telling, Lencioni deftly helps his readers understand the disarming simplicity and power of creating a healthy organization, and reveals four key disciplines that they can follow to achieve it.

Once again, Lencioni delivers an utterly gripping tale with a powerful and memorable message for all who strive to be extraordinary leaders.

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive is also available in print from Wiley.

©2002 Patrick Lencioni
(P)2002 Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is a compelling story with a significant message for executives. The lessons here are substantial, and the style of writing is succinct, thorough, and very entertaining." (David S. Pottruck, president and co-CEO, The Charles Schwab Corporation)
"Since implementing these ideas within our company, I've seen morale and productivity increase dramatically. Lencioni encourages us as managers to deal with human issues that are not quickly quantifiable in a spreadsheet or a quarterly report." (Glenn Kiser, vice president and general manager, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Digital LTD.LLC)

A great reminder about the important basics.

This was a great book and even better listen. The fictional story was captivating and kept me very interested. Just the story clearly reminds you of basic concepts like culture and cooperation and how important and subtle a role they play in your success or down fall.

The story captures your interest and the balance of the book covers in good detail the elements of the all-important four obsessions.

In a time that is focused on vital factors and goal oriented success in the face of ever increasing pressure to do better. This story and the four obsessions are the often forgotten basics that are quickly thrown to the side in rush to get the job done.

A good book for all managers and those who may have lost site of those basic concepts that help to keep you on track and achieving your goals with a minimum of friction.

Very insightful

The book starts with a fictional account of two businesses that illustrate the books premise that creating a "healthy" organization is as if not more important than having an "intelligent" organization. The story does a good job of delivering the message and keeping the listener interested. The last hour follows with a detailed explanation of the steps to create a healthy organization, and it is something I will go back and listen to multiple time. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to better understand how executive action/inaction affects how their organization acts/performs .

Makes Management Lessons Fun

The management lessons are presented in a "fable" that makes the information more engrossing and accessible. Highly recommended.

Excellent read

I manage a staff of around 30 and found the insights presented in this book to be excellent and highly useful. The author presents his four dimensions of leadership in a unique and inspiring manner in the form of a story. I have held managerial positions in both government and private organizations and feel this book would be equally insightful for executives in both public or private organizations.

You'll want to have your own yellow sheet.

The Four Obsessions is a catchy FABLE; it is not trying to be a novel. I listen in my car and always found myself sitting for several minutes after I'd reached my destination. The story is simple but captures your attention because of its relevance to reality. The narrator is excellent. His voice is clear.

The story begs the question...Do you, your management team and your organization exhibit what is described by Rich O'Conner's four principles? The last section of the book describes the four principles in detail.

The Four Obsessions of an EXtraordinary Executive

Sorry,

This book does not belong in the business section. Admittedly, I was only able to struggle through the first third of the book, but it so poorly written that the pain became unbearable.

When I read for business, I want the information to be short, punchy, and illuminating. This book strives to be a novel but lacks any of the prerequisite elements of a good tale.

Kevin Hyland, Sausalito, Ca.

Pretty much sucks all around

The story line is weak and it lives up to its title...a fable not to be followed for those wanting to be a successful leader.

Excellent book and story

If you could sum up The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive in three words, what would they be?

Greatly recommended for any professional and/or entrepreneur

What did you like best about this story?

You can relate to it very easily

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

Definitely, the story is so easily narrated that you can finish it in one sitting.

Refreshing

Would you listen to The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive again? Why?

This was my third audiobook by Lencioni and I was not disappointed. The story line explores the issues perfectly, and reading this while driving, found it both engaging and memorable. This read is motivational, wouldn't we all like to be the best!

Perceptive and Insightful

I appreciate the author's style and the Obsessions seem to be very relevant to my situation at work. He uses a story to illustrate the points he's making. The story sets up the Obsessions while providing memorable characters and a context for the content. I've listened to this 3 or 4 times and recommended it to several people.

Very useful

A useful insight into the thought processes and strategy potentially required to succeed.

Very transferable across different industries and professions.

Thoroughly enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. Both the story as well as the clear 4-disciplines leadership lesson. Thinking about my experience working with some pretty poor ceo's I can clearly recognise their shortcomings through the lenses of the 4 disciplines.

Excellent

Highly recommend for those that want to build a healthy organisation through some simple principals. Still relevant & a great listen for those that are in upper management but not a CEO.

Spot on again

Another book by this fantastic author. Totally fits in with my vision of how to make an effective team. Carries on from the previous criteria for new employees i.e. Hunger, humility and smart.