What Makes an Effective Executive

Publisher's Summary

"Great managers may be charismatic or dull, generous or tightfisted, visionary or numbers oriented. But every effective executive follows eight simple practices." -Peter F. Drucker

An effective executive does not need to be a leader in the sense that the term is now most commonly used. Harry Truman did not have one ounce of charisma, for example, yet he was among the most effective chief executives in U.S. history. Similarly, some of the best business and nonprofit CEOs Drucker has worked with over his 65-year consulting career were not stereotypical leaders. They were all over the map in terms of their personalities, attitudes, values, strengths, and weaknesses. They ranged from extroverted to nearly reclusive, from easygoing to controlling, from generous to parsimonious.

What made them all effective is that they followed the same eight practices:

They asked, "What needs to be done?"

They asked, "What is right for the enterprise?"

They developed action plans.

They took responsibility for decisions.

They took responsibility for communicating.

They were focused on opportunities rather than problems.

This concise audiobook is based on Mr. Drucker's summary of The Effective Executive done at the request of Harvard Business Review and is now one of their best selling published works. This article is a perfect way to learn about the subject broadly in a short period of time. Unlike many articles of this kind, summarizing a book's contents, this article was written and crafted by the author himself. The Audiobook has nine tracks. 1. Introduction. 2. Get the Knowledge You Need. 3. Write an Action Plan. 4. Act. 5. Take Responsibility for Decisions. 6. Take Responsibility for Communicating. 7. Focus on Opportunities. 8. Make Meetings Productive. 9. Think and Say "We."

©2004 Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP) (P)2008 No Hassle Inc.

One of Drucker's best

Drucker describes extremely clearly what effective executives all have in common. And he iterates that regardless of your personality traits, you can still run a successful company if you are an effective leader with strong leadership skills. He talks about what those skills are without a bunch of motivational fluff you see in other books. Everything in this book is valuable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Only wish that it were longer

Well narrated. Well organized. Solid advice. Enjoyed it. Would very highly recommend. 10 / 10.

Best leadership advice ever recorded

I listen to this short recording once a month to keep me on track as I run my company.

Great ideas

...but not as inspirational as I would hoped. However, I will do my best to put these ideas into action.

Straight shooting approach

I love how clear and concise the message is. It is short and brief, but is very informative. It gives a blueprint of how a business should operate. It is one of the best investments of 20 minutes I've ever made. If you want a no nonsense approach to business that limits subjectivity and maximizes objectivity, this is a great start!

Effective

Must read this book. If, one wants to achieve success effectively. This is useful and applicable on an individual level as well, with some basic creative thought.

Awesome!

One of the best 27 minutes I've ever had. A must read for those in charge. Well worth the money.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Decent Synopsis

Good little synopsis for a quick commute listen. Nothing too deep, though. Probably only got about one good note out of the listen.

Great ideas from Drucker

Drucker's insights are still valid in today's fast pace world and this is a great short listen with lots of food for thought!

Short powerful to the point

I imagine this is like his book on the subject reduced to its essential points. Only other comment: while this is a business title, the narration is very flat making it easy to miss the fact that he had moved on to a new point.