The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials)

by Peter F. Drucker

Paperback, 2006

Status

Checked out

Due 2020-08-31

Genres

Collection

THII-OG2

Publication

HarperBusiness (2006), Edition: Revised, 210 pages

Description

A handsome, commemorative edition of Peter F. Drucker's timeless classic work on leadership and management, with a foreword by Jim Collins. What makes an effective executive? In this concise and brilliant work, he looks to the most influential position in management-the executive. The measure of the executive, Drucker reminds us, is the ability to "get the right things done." This usually involves doing what other people have overlooked as well as avoiding what is unproductive. Intelligence, imagination, and knowledge may all be wasted in an executive job without the acquired habits of mind that mold them into results. Drucker identifies five practices essential to business effectiveness that can-and must-be mastered: Managing time; Choosing what to contribute to the organization; Knowing where and how to mobilize strength for best effect; Setting the right priorities; Knitting all of them together with effective decision-making Ranging across the annals of business and government, Drucker demonstrates the distinctive skill of the executive and offers fresh insights into old and seemingly obvious business situations.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member BrianDewey

Yes, this is a business book, but one of the rare good business books that I can see myself re-reading periodically into the future. Most business books are such fluff, with so little content, that I feel sorry for all the trees that sacrificed themselves to make what is essentially blank paper.

The Effective Executive, on the other hand, is pretty dense. The book is short (174 pages, plus an index). And while many of the points it makes are obvious, they're the types of obvious points that people still miss. At the current stage of my career, there are three points this book made that I'm going to pay close attention to. The first is to continue to manage my time carefully. The second is to focus on the right results I should be achieving: this is something I haven't done enough of. I've been caught in fire-fighting mode. Finally, I'm going to pay more attention to my decision-making. Drucker makes an interesting point, one that I don't have enough experience to agree or disagree with yet. He argues that an effective executive doesn't make many decisions, and he doesn't make them quickly. Instead, he makes a few important decisions. One thing I haven't been asking myself: Am I making the important decisions?

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LibraryThing member rwk

A solid, comprehensive and well written overview of what the management function - executed with precision and clarity looks like. It appears to be repackaged from some of his other books/writings and, frankly, feels a tad stale - that may have more to do with his style than substance, though. It's

all vintage Drucker, however, and no-one at or above a manager's position should be without a copy.

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LibraryThing member poolera

One of the best management books I have ever read.

LibraryThing member shadowofthewind

This is a great book on how to be efficient with your time. Even though this was originally written in the 1960s, this book is just as relevant today. (Well, except the part of how the computer will disrupt the office, that's a little dated.) I really enjoyed some of the anecdotal stories from

executives who had to be ruthlessly efficient with their time. (Meetings can't go past 1.5 hours, otherwise, I stop paying attention.) A good read for managers and executives trying to be more efficient with their time.

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LibraryThing member red.yardbird

Classic. Pull this out and re-read parts regularly

LibraryThing member lucianotourn

Must read from the father of management practice!

LibraryThing member RhodesDavis

Originally written in 1967 by the father of business management, this book will help any business person journey towards greater responsibility and success. Having defined what an "Effective Executive" is, Drucker emphasizes that effectiveness is a learned skill. By examining what one can

contribute to the success of the enterprise, and thus one's personal success, he stresses the importance of managing one's time, priorities, and playing to your strengths. A key part of business success is effective decision-making and Drucker breaks down the decision-making process and how to make effective decisions. Much of Drucker's wisdom is identifying personal and business processes that are dysfunctional and fixing, changing, or abandoning them. The book is filled with key questions that a business person must ask themselves to shed light on the path to choose and what to avoid. It is the most concise book of organizational management and professional development I have read and the principles are timeless.

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LibraryThing member JenniferRobb

I think this book is more designed for a medium or large business than a mom & pop or small business. Nevertheless, there are still some ideas a small business owner can glean from it.

LibraryThing member StevenJohnTait

A good book with lots of important points. I'll have to read it again in future because the writing style is a tiny bit on the acedemic side.

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