This is a very powerful book, and it has some powerful messages for the modern executive. "Executive effectiveness is our one best hope to make modern society productive economically and viable socially". It really gets attention of me. .
The author, Peter Drucker begins this book by pointing out that there is no science of how to improve executive effectiveness, nor any naturally occurring effective executives. The redeeming point of this problem is that he argues that executive effectiveness can be learned. .
This book focuses on five principles that enable one to manage others and especially oneself to get things done in a new and productive manner. "Intelligence, imagination, and knowledge are essential resources, but only effectiveness converts them into results. By themselves, they only set limits to what can be attained," he writes. 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 learned: .
One, executives must carefully choose how to spend, and not to spend, their time;.
Two, executives must consciously choose what they want to contribute to the organization and ask their subordinates to make such a choice also;.
Three, executives must choose people to perform tasks based on their individual.
strengths and the fit between strengths and tasks--people should not be chosen for whether or not they lack weaknesses; .
Four, executives must deliberately choose long-term business priorities; .
Five, executives must choose from among all of the alternative opinions offered within their organization.
According my reading and understanding, the five-part effectiveness model depends heavily on listening ability, particularly steps one, two, and five.