This read more like a resume and timeline than anything.

A fairly straightforward, self account by Jack Welch. Not much fluff. He doesn't spin a yarn nor give in to the temptation to exaggerate his impact. Therefore, in certain respects, the book can be rather dry. However, there is much good to be learned from it.

A fairly light read, and considerably better than I thought it would be. Having lived through the 80s-90s when Jack Welch was Public Enemy #1 in the popular press, it was refreshing to read Jack's side of the story, and get some real insight into stack ranking. Let me rephrase that _I_ got insight into stack ranking. I have no idea if anyone has. I should also add that my father worked for GE for a number of years in motors, which was eventually sold to Regal Beloit. He did well enough at both companies.

I would not then nor now want to work for Jack Welch. Neither would I have then or now join GE or a similar company (eh... Netflix). Not how I want to my life, but I appreciate the aggression and passion with which these businesses operate.

My view after reading is that a lot of the things Jack did hurt GE and a lot of things really helped, the fun part of the book is in my view deciding for yourself which those are.

A good biography about the former CEO and chairman of GE. B+. 3.5

A Great Insight of a remarkable leader and driver of change when the need for it is not clear and in the future.

I guess it would be even more powerfull at the time of the release but, almost 20 years on, there is still allot of value on it.

The follow up book was even better, a bible on management

I got this book as a gift immediately after I got an offer to join General Electric (GE) from one of my friends. Jack Welch was famous for being the Chairman and CEO of GE for 20 years presiding over the conglomerate's dramatic rise to being the most valued company in America in 2000. Naturally, I was intrigued to hear the story from the horse's mouth and this book sums up the leadership style of Jack Welch and his insider view of how the company progressed.

Pros:
1) The best part of this book is that Welch has structured it in a way where every chapter has atleast one leadership lesson to take out of. I have practically noted down 55 key learning points over the entire course of this book (planning to make a separate article on the same). What really helps is that Welch doesn't just blurt out those lessons (that would make it too academic). He provides a story/incident that builds up to the lesson so that you can relate to it a whole lot better. This book is, in a way, a treasure trove of case studies that help you learn to be a better leader. This book also gives you a perspective of the politics that go behind such massive corporates as Welch gives first hand experiences of the struggles he faced when he was in contention to become the CEO. This book also points out how to resolve such internal conflicts/politics when Welch devised a detailed succession strategy to appoint his successor.
2) For those who are really interested in the history of GE and its ups & downs and its evolution as a company, this serves as a good starting point. You get Welch's point of view on how the company was when he joined (the pre-Welch era); its work culture, its businesses, and so on. Later, as Welch progresses in his career, it shows how the company has evolved from a culture and business stand-point (the Welch era) and is a good example of how a leader's vision makes a company. Readers can get a good understanding of Welch's initiatives such as the controversial bell-curve, his principle of being #1 or #2 in each business segment, his fix/sell/close strategy, Six Sigma initiatives, Crotonville, etc. The book finally sets the stage for what GE stood for when Welch handed over the reins to Jeff Immelt (the post-Welch era). This, therefore, helps the readers understand the evolution of this conglomerate over a period of 40 years! For someone like me who just joined the company and who was really curious to know its roots, this book helped me get a sense of how historic this company has been.
3) The writing is simple, straight forward, and this makes it an easy read.

Cons:
1) The structuring of this book is very haphazard. The first half of the book goes in a good chronological fashion which gives the readers a sense of understanding of Welch's upbringing, the start of his GE career as an engineer, his progression as a manager to eventually becoming the CEO. The second half of the book, which is post Welch becoming CEO, keeps going places chronologically. The structuring of the book suddenly changes to chapters that each highlight his vision/strategy/action for the company. Either Welch should have stuck to the chronological format or he should have devoted chapters dedicated to his important learning points. This mash-up of both styles of writing gets the reader confused and frustrated at times.
2) The book seems to be self idolizing Welch a lot (understandable as it is an autobiography and people tend to place more importance to themselves). No single person makes the entire company and it is the collaborative effort that defines a company's success. I would have loved to hear Welch talk more about his direct reports or employees that brought a significant change in the company. The self appreciation and the idolization makes this book a dragger.

To conclude, this book has been a very hard read for me, personally. To see a well-oiled machine that Jack Welch created deteriorate to the state at which the company is in now makes it painful to read as an employee. However, it also makes me hopeful that if Welch could bring up the company to that state over a period of two decades, so can the next generation of employees like us.

A very aggressive book that makes sense. I was driven to this book when Simon Sinek portrayed Jack Welch as some what of an Antagonist in his own book Leaders Eat Last.
But after reading this book it makes sense of what Jack Welch did and I suppose both are different sides of the same coin.
Coming to the book as I said, an aggressive one and to the point. The derivation of metrics, the why and the how all has been laid down as concrete as generations to come and learn from it.
If every organisation had the same path as Jack Welch did the world would have been a different place right now.
Of course not all you read is sufficient. There could be things that haven’t been written or showed which are ill effects of Welch’s way.
But the book gives you tremendous pointers on how a team should be managed, how it should perform, how to safeguard ones interest along with ensuring company’s interest are guarded as well. What exactly defines growth, the strategies leaders take and why.
A must must read for every management professional or anyone who manages anything at all.

With dearth of activities to-do, Covid presented an opportunity to knock at covers of rusty old half-read books. Part of things ‘you always wanted to do but never had time for.’ On lighter note, I believe it is euphemism for overrated things (reading complete book, cooking meals anyone?) you would never do if life is in full swing. So, I took out this autobiography by greatest manager of last century. Jack Welch – the guy who led GE from crisis no one knew they were in and converted it into global giants of 1990s. Sure businesses and people have changed a lot from what it was 30 years back. But I found the book to be as much a learning experience as it was engrossing.

Being autobiography, the book portrays righteous view of self, relations and businesses of Welch. But in most cases, Welch explains his side which won’t sound like defense or justification. He was not that kind of person. What world perceived as Neutron Jack (firing 10% worse performers each year), he calls it an unapologetic way of managing people (you manage your stars well and give reality check to others who can improve elsewhere).
Book covers extensively on his early days in GE, how he managed to climb ladder and how he got the ‘big job’. This is inspiring part. Then there is a lot of discussion on change. He spearheaded change in the culture (making it less bureaucratic, boundaryless, learning driven, customer centric) and businesses (famous “Be first or second in any business – if not then fix, sell or close). You get great insights into some of largest acquisitions, growth of GE Capital, NBC story (broadcasters of Seinfeld, Friends, ER among others), Honeywell story (failed merger). He also lays down four initiatives – globalization, services, 6 sigma and e-commerce. E-commerce is interesting as it brings perspective of old guard during 1990s internet revolution. Resistance to change and then emracing and then flourishing. Finally, book ends with how Jack Immelt was selected as next CEO and a great chapter on “What this CEO business is all about.” I would say this is one chapter you would want to reread.
Jack was a great leader and a great personality. Learnings from book will stay with me forever and will aid in shaping my views on leadership and organizations. Fundamentals of his style which focus of managing people and resources are relevant in any time period especially in troubled and uncertain times like these. I take away that change is not something to be afraid of, but on contrary something which one should always strive-towards and actively-seek. Leading change needs thorough understanding of ‘now’ and relevant vision for ‘now-to-come.’
Don’t laugh at our misery from up there, Jack Welch!

Interesting perspectives from Jack. However, since it's an autobiography only the positive effects for Jack Welch are pushed forward, it would be interesting to read a more neutral perspective.

Jack Welch in the book titled Jack: Straight from the Gut has put forth core business ideologies, values, and principles which triggered phenomenal exponential growth, enormous profit-driven margins, and ensured the celebrated success for employees at General Electric (GE). The author's dynamic leadership and innovative skills earned him the stature of a top-notch management mainstay at GE and his astute hiring skill facilitated inflow of talented, skilled human resource which bore an impeccable vision of taking a firm stand on guarding employee interest during their tenure at the reputed tech corporate. This particular aspect of Jack's relentless personality allowed him to back his brilliant knack of hiring and nurturing talent up with a commendable hold over business problems hurled at him beside an incredible penchant for decision-making which supported and ensured General Electric's smooth transition from a company with thousand employees to that of a multinational with vast manpower. Jack Welch's Straight from the Gut amplifies author's views on days of his initial struggle, first major breakthrough as a young engineer, crucial contributing role in several landmark projects at General Electric, march toward glory with career-defining professional success in a very short time, early challenges and obstacles he overcame to stake claim at several top managerial designations during a career spanning over 30 years at GE, changes effected at the corporate with globalization lubricated by growing demand for fast paced, improved, exceptional services and Six Sigma, the constant desire to strive for excellence and customer satisfaction without compromising on the essentials and needs of the workforce at General Electric, and several other vast aspects of business leadership and management. If Winning was a business book which threw light on the personal and professional space of Jack Welch the business magnate; Straight from the Gut unveils a thoughtful, thought-provoking deep insight on what it took off Jack Welch the corporate tycoon to guide minimal resources at his disposal and help GE reach towering height during his stint as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the corporate. The author has exhibited keen tendency to put facts across to readers using a systematic paradigm. His efforts are laudable, for the approach adopted by him in penning the GE phenomenon yields desirable results from the perspective of reader gratification. A book enthusiast's charm. Further, the emphasis laid on analysis of corporate's annual earning and progress make it an interesting read as the author devotedly quotes profit margins and revenue earned by exploiting productive statistical outlook which render readers spellbound with its brilliant degree of prolonged sustained success. General Electric could be faintly described as a sub-brainchild of Jack Welch, for the corporate conquered new heights and assumed the stature of giant multinational during his 20 years at helm as Chairman of one of the leading companies of the world. Besides bringing to fore Jack Welch's illustrious prowess and proficiency as a business leader, the book throws light on various other aspects of his life vis-à-vis prioritized socializing, the liking he developed for sports such as hockey and baseball as a school graduate, and affection for partying with colleagues following every success accomplished at GE. The standout businessman in Jack Welch can be likened to an entrepreneur despite the known fact that he was not part of GE during its founding years. Jack Welch's rapid ascent up the corporate ladder is a testimony to the fact that he was an entrepreneurial material. The business icon's shrewdness, mind-boggling affinity toward embracing risk, promptness in devising propitious solutions to business problem, an eye for identifying right talent for the right job, willingness to hear out concerns of his employees and colleagues to arrive at desired compromises or solutions, support for innovation, and considerable level of persistence at work second the preceding opinion.

The obvious aspect of GE's long sustained growth and position at the top evident from the read is easily grasped from Jack Welch's progressive attitude and persevering focus on continual improvement of business and work ambiance at the multinational. The author's views on game changing elements of business world such as globalization, ever increasing demand for improved services, willingness to capitulate to implementation of Six Sigma and E-Business speak volumes about the in-depth mastery he enjoyed over business ideologies religiously followed at GE. The biography of General Electric co-authored by John A.Byrne includes brief autobiography of Jack Welch and is titled Early Years. In this segment Jack enlightens readers about his school life, influential aura of his mother which shaped his personality, and his unconditional love of sport. The author is quick to add that the upbringing by his mother played a key role in professional success he relished at GE. The book ought to be a fundamental guide for techpreneurs willing to pursue the path of self-improvement and impose improvisation on the same. The former CEO of GE does strike a chord with readers furnishing a lively account on corporate life and his many experiences initially as a young engineer and then in due course as CEO of General Electric. In addition to Jack's professional conduit at GE, the compilation highlights the corporate giant's march toward attaining colossal stature following successful endeavors in business of electronic components and through collaboration with various media entities which helped GE's cause to open the doors for globalization. With rapid growth witnessed in industry, Jack employed various management strategies to finalize deals and tackle production problems. The author of Winning and Straight from the Gut is the pioneer of a management concept called team leadership, for he introduced several business reforms in paradigms that focused on providing quick business resolution with improved workforce productivity and efficiency. The concluding segment in the book unravels the influence, the advent of world wide web and internet had on businesses within the GE corporation. Certain matter covered in the book exclusively conduct a thorough check on fun games employed in appointing members of the board of directors and anointing their successor, the unique culture put into practice by Jack Welch's predecessor and boss, Reg Jones. Jack Welch's association with General Electric produced phenomenal results for the company. The end of the book is marked by an interesting epilogue summarizing GE's journey under effective leadership of the author, beside explicating what he supposed the future held for General Electric and the options which beckon General Electric to function effectively. Jack Welch also dedicates substantial writing space to the love he developed for game of golf as part of routine while at GE; the Ex-CEO's way of strengthening bond with an ever prevalent facet of his life - Sport. From the reader's perspective, the book is a good medium to embark on a corporate journey alongside Jack Welch which commences as a tryst with GE and terminates with Jeff Immelt at helm of the state of affairs at GE. The book facilitates and stimulates mind travel with time travel.

Straight from the Gut authored by Jack Welch and John A.Byrne offers new reading experience for a 'New Guy'. The book in its most genuine congeniality keep readers engrossed and attentive with a striking interlaced method of writing and articulating facts. The business biography and the author's autobiography steals me of 4 points to leave me stranded with 1. Neutron Jack's written work is a very well gathered collection of corporate tales which establishes staggering input on General Electric's days of tremendous progress under definitive leadership and top level management. For geeks seeking data on challenges encountered by multinationals due to constant disruption, the business book is an apt bible which meets their need with sufficing quantity of substance on technology, business management, sales and marketing, leadership, and last but not the least the collective wisdom of many experiences of a prodigious Herculean taskmaster and colossal business figure, Mr.Jack Welch. A brilliant read which also qualifies as a good read. The 'New Guys' out there, have fun reading Straight from the Gut. Cheers!

In my first master program's courses for international business, my professor started by quoting Mr. Jack Welch. I didn't pay close attention to these CEOs before, because there were just so many to remember. However, I started to change my ideas during my courses. Gradually, I realize there must be something I could learn from them. I am just still a young bloke who doesn't know the true meaning of leadership, management, corporate strategy, etc. These fancy business terms do not resonate with me. But something occurred to me last year, I felt there were something, say, wisdom or useful experience, that I could learn. To the least, these prominent business leaders must possess extraordinary ideas that make them stand out.

Since Mr. Welch is arguably the best CEO of 20th century. His autobiography is a good place to start. I spent three days closely reading every chapter. Generally, I find him unexpectedly humorous. His give-outs are general as you can expect. Be kind to people, meritocracy, quality perfection (six sigmas), trust... to name just a few. Honestly, everyone can speak these philosophy out loud these days. But from his words, it marks difference. I think this book makes me 'think' in the position of CEO. It's definitely hard to manage such a big conglomerate. Being strong is undoubtedly one critical requirement.

In addition to the routine management preach, I think the most interesting parts are the miscellaneous stories here and there. GE is a big group which consists of so many different companies. Mr. Welch normally devotes one chapter to one industry. He mentions the media company (RCA), the GE Capital, engines, medical equipment... and many more. He chronicles the development of each company, and shows readers what the challenges are. Generally, it seems GE could always break through difficulties. Mr. Welch would attribute the success to great leaderships of managers and the formidable corporate culture. It's obvious he wants every reader to believe GE is really different from other MNCs due to its unique culture.

The first 1/3 book centers on Mr. Welch's personal life and his early days in GE. Afterwards, he told the story of the career as the CEO. We can learn the history of GE (1980~2001) and the life of a great manager. I always feel awed how these people interact with other powerful figures. He played golf with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, consulting with Kissinger, and partying with chairman of Goldman Sachs. It reveals this kind of special life to us. I also find the life of CEO 'amusing': endless M&A, strategy meetings, litigations, business negotiations, and the list goes on. I hope to learn and experience more to achieve (jokingly) maybe 10% of his capability, and it would be far enough to deal with anything.