One of Peter Drucker’s last books. He was originally going to write a life’s work summary, but changed his mind to write a prophetic type of book. His two big topics are (1) the declining birth rate in developed countries, and (2) the transition from skilled laborers (“tin bending”) work to the knowledge worker (“technologists”). His discussions are fascinating and I won’t steal any of his thunder other than to say that he feels traditional management techniques based on time and motion studies (Total Quality Management is the latest rendition) do not motivate the knowledge worker. I will say that his second big point is in extreme harmony with Marcus Buckingham’s work (which I would read first). Drucker has a similar message as Buckingham, motivated from a completely different viewpoint. The book is also part self help. Do you know what your boss’ learning style is? Don’t you think you should have asked that on the first day? Drucker thinks so, and explains why.
Category Archives: Management
Execution : the discipline of getting things done
Note that one of the 4 required areas in the “4 + 2 Formula” is execution. This book really hammers away at that point. I put this first on the sub-list for a good reason. Our site is terrible at this. All of my trips to Orlando were to work on programs that were not executing. And don’t get me started on our IT department!
Now, Discover Your Strengths
This book is the follow-on to First, Break all the Rules. I don’t think it is as well written as the first. The target audience is the individual. If you buy your own copy of the book, you get a code with which you can take their Strengths Finder online survey (this is also true with First, Break all the Rules). That tool gives you your top 5 strengths, in order, which is what is missing from First, Break all the Rules. My opinion is if you have read the book(s), then take the quiz, that can skew your quiz answers. I believe the strengths it identified for me, just not sure that the order wasn’t affected by my having read both books in their entirety first. (And no, you can’t just pay $$$ and take the quiz online, they are VERY adamant you buy a book.) I would recommend start reading this book first even though it is second in the series UNLESS you are a manager; then I would take the quiz using the code from this book when they tell you to (around chapter 4), put the book down, and read First, Break all the Rules.
First, Break All the Rules
You can’t take the title seriously (some of the Amazon.com reviewers did). The book is about what Gallup has found makes effective managers of people during its research for various clients over 10+ years. I really agree with the general findings. After reading it you will be even more disappointed with management around here than you could have thought possible and will realize where HR found some of the latest changes in the performance review process (such as twice a year dialogues). The book is targeted more at managers than at the individual. It has a whole chapter devoted to interviewing which I have used. It is well written.
Why does it make my must read list? The book is really about expertise, that a successful business values and develops experts, and assembles teams of experts.