Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan was recommended to by a woman I met on a bus, somewhere along our conversation she suggested I would find reading this book interesting and learn a few things about getting things done. Here are my thoughts:

The book outlines three processes a business leader should focus on to successfully execute a business strategy i.e. the people process, the strategy process, and the operations process. According to Larry and Ram, if the leader is able to synchronize these three processes properly, he/she might (I use might here because nothing is ever a given in the business world) improve the competitive advantage of the business or business unit.

I'm happy Larry and Ram begun with the people process since its people who have to implement strategy after all. However, having the right people according to Larry and Ram is not enough, you need to have people with the right capabilities and competencies to deliver for the business. The two further argue that the business leader needs to be deeply involved in what is happening with the people and business. They use this analogy to illustrate the need for deep involvement on the part of the leader, “how does a good coach get to know his players? By being with them on the field.” I guess the point here is that leadership is not about sitting upstairs writing emails on strategy and hoping everything falls into place. The leader has to see the process through, make follow-ups and know who will and will not meet targets.

Another eye-catching issue covered in this book relates to the importance of clarity from the leader. I’m part of a team that manages our performance management system and I’ve seen how unclear objectives (KPI’S) set at the top can misdirect the entire organization. It’s important for leaders to clearly explain what they expect from people and continuously coach them. Letting go of poor performers is welcome and the leader should never feel bad about it. That said, the performers should be rewarded greatly.

I’ve read a good number of business and management books and this one reemphasized most of what I already know. Nevertheless, it’s a great book to read if you want to move from talking (heaven knows we have too many talkers and few doers) to actually getting things done.

i tried to find literature and guide to being good in execution.
this is it.
it covers the essential concept of being good in executing.
basically it boils down to S.O.P
S-trategy
O-perations
P-eople

this is one of the best business management book i have picked up.
although written in 2000-ish, concepts are still highly relevant.
highly recommended.

After reading this book in one sitting, I am not entirely certain what it brings to the table that an experienced leader would not already know.

The basic premise of the book is that success in business comes down to how people, plans, and operations work together and execution is based on those core processes. In other words, leaders need to know their people, what their people need to do, and how their people do it.

Though there were some helpful parts of the book, it varies from third person, second person, and first person. There were several times throughout the book where it seemed entire chapters repeat itself, let alone stories (I go to a plant, I meet with the leaders, I talk with the people, and I meet with the leaders again) or concepts like candid conversations. Compared to many other leadership books, it had no statistics beyond anecdotal or personal-experience stories.

This book did not read like it was written from someone who's making assumptions on leadership. There's no doubt it came from a place of experience. However, it was a surface-level treatment of leadership basics that left me frustrated for having spent the time reading the entire book.

Начинал читать в ожидание, что найду в книге инструменты, решения, шаблоны для поднятия исполнительной функции в компании и достижение. Книга больше по стратегическому планированию и исполнению стратегии. Никаких фреймов нет, но по стратегии, созданию стратегии, обсуждению, это по-моему одна из лучших книг.
Для топов и руководитель любого направления будет очень полезна!