Review: What Makes an Effective Executive

What Makes an Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Much like the books in this series, HBR Classics, this is a good book and this book provides checklists of sorts. It was enough to make me identify one chink in my armour that I'd would work on. In essence this is what author says:


So what do effective leaders have in common? They get the right things done, in the right ways— by following eight simple rules:
• Ask what needs to be done.
• Ask what’s right for the enterprise.
• Develop action plans.
• Take responsibility for decisions.
• Take responsibility for communicating.
• Focus on opportunities, not problems.
• Run productive meetings.
• Think and say “We,” not “I.”
• Listen first, speak last. (bonus rule)
Using discipline to apply these rules, you gain the knowledge you need to make smart decisions, convert that knowledge into effective action, and ensure accountability throughout your organization.

Initially Drucker gave excellent example regarding the topic, 'What needs to be done?' but thereafter the concrete examples got dwindled. Again he gave a solid example for the topic 'Take responsibility for communicating'.

An immensely helpful book which would have been even better had there been more examples. But like I said this book is very good refresher and checklist to refer.

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