What do you think?
Rate this book
Inside Drucker's Brain
The most accessible guide to the essential ideas of “the inventor of modern management”.
In late 2003, ninety-four-year-old Peter Drucker invited Jeffrey Krames to his home for an unprecedented day-long interview. He spoke candidly about his seminal management principles, his enormous body of work (thirty-eight books over six decades), and the leaders he had advised over the years (including Jack Welch).
Krames used the insights he gained that day to create Inside Drucker’s Brain--a compact guide to the great man’s wisdom. Krames had no intention of writing a biography, but rather a book that would showcase Drucker’s most important ideas and strategies, and explain why they are just as useful today as they were decades ago.
Drucker’s biggest contribution was a mind-set, not a methodology. He focused on prodding managers to ask the right questions, to look beyond what they thought they knew, and to focus on tomorrow rather than yesterday. If anything, this mind-set is more valuable in the digital age than it was in the industrial age.
This user-friendly book will help readers grasp all of Drucker’s key ideas on leadership, strategy, innovation, personal effectiveness, career development, and many other topics.
In late 2003, ninety-four-year-old Peter Drucker invited Jeffrey Krames to his home for an unprecedented day-long interview. He spoke candidly about his seminal management principles, his enormous body of work (thirty-eight books over six decades), and the leaders he had advised over the years (including Jack Welch).
Krames used the insights he gained that day to create Inside Drucker’s Brain--a compact guide to the great man’s wisdom. Krames had no intention of writing a biography, but rather a book that would showcase Drucker’s most important ideas and strategies, and explain why they are just as useful today as they were decades ago.
Drucker’s biggest contribution was a mind-set, not a methodology. He focused on prodding managers to ask the right questions, to look beyond what they thought they knew, and to focus on tomorrow rather than yesterday. If anything, this mind-set is more valuable in the digital age than it was in the industrial age.
This user-friendly book will help readers grasp all of Drucker’s key ideas on leadership, strategy, innovation, personal effectiveness, career development, and many other topics.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2008
25 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey A. Krames
29 books5 followersJeffrey A. Krames is an American author whose books have been translated into more than 36 languages. Before 2020, Krames established his own "publishing and literary agency", JK Literary Services. Krames is the former editor-in-chief of Portfolio, the business book imprint of The Penguin Group and the former Vice President and head of the trade division of McGraw-Hill.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 10, 2008
Although Krames indicates that, by the time they met, Drucker's physical health had deteriorated and he could no longer continue his classroom teaching, what Krames found inside Drucker's mind was an abundance of information, insights, and wisdom. Even at that advanced age, Drucker's focus was on timely and timeless issues of greatest importance to him. He indicated little (if any) interest in reminiscences. (Those who have elderly relatives can attest to how remarkable that is.) Ducker's intellectual curiosity remained insatiable as he shared with Krames (and with us) his thoughts about subjects such as these:
1. Barriers to effective execution (Chapter 2)
2. Minimizing failed policies, unsound methods, and bad habits (Chapter 3)
3. "Eight Realities" for every manager (Chapter 4)
4. Dominant characteristics of "naturals" (Chapter 5)
Note: In Drucker's view, a "natural" sets the right priorities, inspires others, and knows how to make "life-and-death situations. Naturals do not micromanage people to death. They understand intuitively that autocratic leaders are not effective and part of the problem."
5. Establishing and then strengthening business "partnerships" (Chapter 6)
6. "Abandoning" organizational waste and obsolescence (Chapter 7)
7. Building on people's strengths (Chapter 8)
8. The traits and habits (i.e. critical factors) of the "ideal leader" (Chapter 9)
9. Why Jack Welch was the right leader at the right time for GE (Chapter 10)
10. Why people decisions are the most important questions (Chapter 11)
11. Why Drucker thinks so highly of Jeff Bezos (Chapter 12)
12. The changing role of information in a business environment (Chapter 13)
13. An effective leader's core competencies (Chapter 14)
14. Determining what a customer-centric business must become (Chapter 15)
Note: In Chapter 15, Krames provides what he calls "A Short Course on Innovation" based on three of Drucker's core beliefs: Without a customer, there is no business; customer needs are constantly changing; and, companies must be "organized for innovation" (top to bottom) in order to respond effectively - and profitably - to whatever its customers' needs may be.
15. Important turning points in Drucker's life (Epilogue)
For those share my high regard for Peter Drucker, there is no other source that reveals more about how his mind worked than does this volume...except, of course, for Drucker's dozens of books and hundreds of articles.
1. Barriers to effective execution (Chapter 2)
2. Minimizing failed policies, unsound methods, and bad habits (Chapter 3)
3. "Eight Realities" for every manager (Chapter 4)
4. Dominant characteristics of "naturals" (Chapter 5)
Note: In Drucker's view, a "natural" sets the right priorities, inspires others, and knows how to make "life-and-death situations. Naturals do not micromanage people to death. They understand intuitively that autocratic leaders are not effective and part of the problem."
5. Establishing and then strengthening business "partnerships" (Chapter 6)
6. "Abandoning" organizational waste and obsolescence (Chapter 7)
7. Building on people's strengths (Chapter 8)
8. The traits and habits (i.e. critical factors) of the "ideal leader" (Chapter 9)
9. Why Jack Welch was the right leader at the right time for GE (Chapter 10)
10. Why people decisions are the most important questions (Chapter 11)
11. Why Drucker thinks so highly of Jeff Bezos (Chapter 12)
12. The changing role of information in a business environment (Chapter 13)
13. An effective leader's core competencies (Chapter 14)
14. Determining what a customer-centric business must become (Chapter 15)
Note: In Chapter 15, Krames provides what he calls "A Short Course on Innovation" based on three of Drucker's core beliefs: Without a customer, there is no business; customer needs are constantly changing; and, companies must be "organized for innovation" (top to bottom) in order to respond effectively - and profitably - to whatever its customers' needs may be.
15. Important turning points in Drucker's life (Epilogue)
For those share my high regard for Peter Drucker, there is no other source that reveals more about how his mind worked than does this volume...except, of course, for Drucker's dozens of books and hundreds of articles.
December 28, 2013
Decent distillation of Drucker’s genius
Peter Drucker is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern day management studies. Apart from the thirty-odd books he has authored, I believe there are dozens of books covering his theories and history. How does Inside Drucker’s Brain add to the conversation? Firstly, I must admit that I am completely new to Drucker’s work, and am thus in no position to rank this book amongst its many peers. However, Inside Drucker’s Brain strikes me as a good distillation of Drucker’s genius, with more breadth than depth, and packed full of management lexicons and ideas.
Concise Introduction to the man behind the words
One element of Inside Drucker’s Brain that impressed me was its coverage of Drucker’s personal life at various stages. The introduction (aptly titled “In Search of Drucker”) showcases the author’s personal interactions with Drucker late in Drucker’s life, whereas the epilogue covers life events and people that the author believes shaped Drucker. Collectively, the introduction and epilogue reveal the Peter F. Drucker behind the words and lexicons. I find that this adds an enjoyable element for readers who are not looking for a textbook-like read.
More breadth than depth
The fifteen chapters in this book cover a wide range of topics from leadership to corporate culture and innovation. There is a small amount of repetition, but the author does a good job in presenting some key idea of Drucker’s in a concise and logical way. With a background in management consulting, I find the chapters on outside-in corporate orientation and innovation to be particularly insightful. The author makes up for the occasional lack in depth when exploring ideas by making clear the source (usually one of Drucker’s many books), thus enabling interested readers to research further.
Slightly overstated influence on other management authors
Throughout the book, the author laboured to highlight the extent to which Drucker’s idea predated certain concepts espoused by later authors of management theories. Although I find some of his evidence (in the form of quotations and extracts) credible, the comparisons sometimes seem stretched.
Overall, I find Inside Drucker’s Brain a good book for anyone seeking a concise introduction to Drucker’s immense contribution to management theory and practice.
Peter Drucker is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern day management studies. Apart from the thirty-odd books he has authored, I believe there are dozens of books covering his theories and history. How does Inside Drucker’s Brain add to the conversation? Firstly, I must admit that I am completely new to Drucker’s work, and am thus in no position to rank this book amongst its many peers. However, Inside Drucker’s Brain strikes me as a good distillation of Drucker’s genius, with more breadth than depth, and packed full of management lexicons and ideas.
Concise Introduction to the man behind the words
One element of Inside Drucker’s Brain that impressed me was its coverage of Drucker’s personal life at various stages. The introduction (aptly titled “In Search of Drucker”) showcases the author’s personal interactions with Drucker late in Drucker’s life, whereas the epilogue covers life events and people that the author believes shaped Drucker. Collectively, the introduction and epilogue reveal the Peter F. Drucker behind the words and lexicons. I find that this adds an enjoyable element for readers who are not looking for a textbook-like read.
More breadth than depth
The fifteen chapters in this book cover a wide range of topics from leadership to corporate culture and innovation. There is a small amount of repetition, but the author does a good job in presenting some key idea of Drucker’s in a concise and logical way. With a background in management consulting, I find the chapters on outside-in corporate orientation and innovation to be particularly insightful. The author makes up for the occasional lack in depth when exploring ideas by making clear the source (usually one of Drucker’s many books), thus enabling interested readers to research further.
Slightly overstated influence on other management authors
Throughout the book, the author laboured to highlight the extent to which Drucker’s idea predated certain concepts espoused by later authors of management theories. Although I find some of his evidence (in the form of quotations and extracts) credible, the comparisons sometimes seem stretched.
Overall, I find Inside Drucker’s Brain a good book for anyone seeking a concise introduction to Drucker’s immense contribution to management theory and practice.
October 28, 2017
Like many of these business books, the magic is in articulating wholesomely what you already knew to be true.
Purposeful abandonment was a concept that I had tried to explain before with the 80/20 rule and other ideas but to have it's own name and description will definitely assist me going forward.
The reminder for focus and execution in business and projects is also timely to ensure I'm doing the best job I can in my many ventures.
Overall a great book giving me enhanced respect for Drucker's role in management and business, and helping me realise the power of management if done well.
Purposeful abandonment was a concept that I had tried to explain before with the 80/20 rule and other ideas but to have it's own name and description will definitely assist me going forward.
The reminder for focus and execution in business and projects is also timely to ensure I'm doing the best job I can in my many ventures.
Overall a great book giving me enhanced respect for Drucker's role in management and business, and helping me realise the power of management if done well.
August 17, 2010
too much "i" (krames) in this book - not as helpful. would have rather had more pure Drucker - should turn to one of his 35 books, then.
October 7, 2014
I realize I'd rather read Peter Drucker's books than books on Drucker.
July 29, 2021
“The story of Peter Drucker is the story of management itself. It’s the story of the rise of the modern corporation and the managers who organize work. Without his analysis it’s almost impossible to imagine the rise of dispersed, globe-spanning corporations.”
Peter Drucker is widely regarded as the greatest expert on management; in fact, he pretty much invented the subject. And as the author of thirty-eight books over six decades, he covered a lot of ground. His ideas remain just as astute and insightful today as they were decades ago.
Inside Drucker's Brain distills the essential lessons from Drucker's work and offers a fresh perspective on this extraordinary thinker. It will help one grasp all of Drucker's key ideas on leadership, strategy, innovation, personal effectiveness, career development, and many other topics. It also provides a blueprint for managers who want to implement his best ideas in their own organizations.
“There is only one valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer.”
“If you are uncomfortable with the idea of vesting people with the power to fire their boss, then you are not ready for the task of leadership in the 21st century.”
“The first step in a growth policy is not to decide where and how to grow. It is to decide what to abandon. In order to grow, a business must have a systematic policy to get rid of outgrown, the obsolete, and the unproductive.”
“The most effective managers learn to read the tea leaves and prepare their organizations to exploit new opportunities created by new realities.”
Peter Drucker is widely regarded as the greatest expert on management; in fact, he pretty much invented the subject. And as the author of thirty-eight books over six decades, he covered a lot of ground. His ideas remain just as astute and insightful today as they were decades ago.
Inside Drucker's Brain distills the essential lessons from Drucker's work and offers a fresh perspective on this extraordinary thinker. It will help one grasp all of Drucker's key ideas on leadership, strategy, innovation, personal effectiveness, career development, and many other topics. It also provides a blueprint for managers who want to implement his best ideas in their own organizations.
“There is only one valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer.”
“If you are uncomfortable with the idea of vesting people with the power to fire their boss, then you are not ready for the task of leadership in the 21st century.”
“The first step in a growth policy is not to decide where and how to grow. It is to decide what to abandon. In order to grow, a business must have a systematic policy to get rid of outgrown, the obsolete, and the unproductive.”
“The most effective managers learn to read the tea leaves and prepare their organizations to exploit new opportunities created by new realities.”
April 26, 2019
I am not sure how else I may have titled this one, but claiming to have entered Drucker's brain might have been a bit of a stretch. Clearly, Drucker was one of the truly great thinker's of 20th century American (even World) industrial history. He was a huge intellect with boatloads of integrity and connections and experience that will continue beyond the time when all whom he touched are passing on their expertise in running businesses. Perhaps the takeaway from Drucker's work that may have the most lasting impact are to always look forward and never back. For a man who claimed never to have managed anything his legacy is vast.
September 22, 2021
Nice summary of Drucker’s works and impact on Business Management since his original ground breaking work “Concept of the Corporation” over 75 years ago. The book was the result of a day long interview the author did with Drucker late in Drucker’s life at 94. The author gives good reason why Drucker has been called the father of Management. His ideas have been rebranded, borrowed and out write stolen by many business book authors over the years. I have read many of Drucker’s books over the years and this was not only a nice summary but also gave insight into who Drucker was due to the people and events that made him.
May 20, 2018
Worthwhile distillation of the late management consultant Peter Drucker's ideas and philosophy.
I first discovered Drucker in a business class as a graduate student in Library Science. If you just want to dip your toe into management and you don't know where to begin, give this book a try -- it doesn't get technical and jargon-y until about two-thirds of the way through, and you can just skim over what you don't understand.
I first discovered Drucker in a business class as a graduate student in Library Science. If you just want to dip your toe into management and you don't know where to begin, give this book a try -- it doesn't get technical and jargon-y until about two-thirds of the way through, and you can just skim over what you don't understand.
December 24, 2021
This is a very short and very readable book on the key insights and teachings of Peter Drucker, whom many consider to be the father of management science. If you're looking for a short primer for your staff to relay the fundamental requirements of effective management, you probably can't do better than this short and to-the-point book.
December 4, 2019
The author, Jeffrey A. Krames spent a day interviewing Drucker at his home in California, and this is the book that tell the story of that interview and at the same time is introducing the reader to Drucker's work and ideas about management, business and life.
March 3, 2024
I read the first chapter of the German translation which is really bad. Furthermore I found out that I would prefer to read something by Drucker himself, not a list of Drucker’s quotes glued together by information extracted from an interview.
July 1, 2024
It's great to see someone spend time with Peter Drucker to write a book in the last few years of his life. The most touching part was the last chapter on his upbringing and the people he credited with shaping who he became. A fantastic read if you're already a fan of Drucker.
November 5, 2017
A good introduction to the overall Drucker 'philosophy' and body of work.
November 8, 2019
In this book the writers lays Drucker’s key ideas on leadership, strategy, innovation, personal effectiveness, career development, in a simple and light way.
November 26, 2020
I've read this book 3 times over the past few years and get so much out of it every time. If you are a leader or aspiring to be one, this is a MUST READ!
February 23, 2017
What a great man! As if all of Dr. Drucker's books were not enough indication of his brilliant take on business, this book uncovers his influence on the GE that has inspired so many books and accolades. I can never cease to be amazed by how right this man was all along; for over 60 years!
All of Peter Drucker's books are a must read!
All of Peter Drucker's books are a must read!
March 17, 2014
Sudah hampir 6 bulan (sejak Agustus 2013) saya menjalani profesi sebagai konsultan freelance. Profesi yang sangat menantang di usia saya yang baru 32 tahun. Selama 6 bulan itulah saya berkomitmen untuk mulai hobi membaca buku seperti yang selalu dianjurkan oleh mentor saya.
Saya menemukan buku ini di counter bazar buku Giant Margo City seharga Rp10.000 (ya sangat murah!). Awalnya hanya sekedar iseng, namun ternyata saya mendapatkan ilmu yang sangat bermanfaat ketika saya membaca buku Inside Drucker’s Brain ini. Terlebih lagi saya hanya mendengar namanya saja dan tidak pernah tahu karya-karya yang telah ditulis olehnya. Buku ini ditulis oleh Jeffrey A.Krames pada tahun 2008, dan diterjemahkan dalam edisi Bahasa Indonesia.
Struktur topik dalam buku ini memang tidak berurutan, jadi anda dapat membaca dari Bab mana saja sesuai dengan topik yang diminati. Krames memberikan ringkasan pada setiap akhir Bab, sehingga bagi anda yang ingin mendapatkan intisari dari topik tersebut dapat langsung melihat pada akhir masing-masing Bab, walaupun saya menganjurkan untuk membaca Bab secara keseluruhan karena banyak cerita dan insight yang menarik di dalamnya.
Menurut saya buku ini cocok bagi anda yang ingin mengenal dan memahami konsep-konsep Peter F. Drucker dan tidak memiliki waktu untuk membaca seluruh bukunya.
Saya menemukan buku ini di counter bazar buku Giant Margo City seharga Rp10.000 (ya sangat murah!). Awalnya hanya sekedar iseng, namun ternyata saya mendapatkan ilmu yang sangat bermanfaat ketika saya membaca buku Inside Drucker’s Brain ini. Terlebih lagi saya hanya mendengar namanya saja dan tidak pernah tahu karya-karya yang telah ditulis olehnya. Buku ini ditulis oleh Jeffrey A.Krames pada tahun 2008, dan diterjemahkan dalam edisi Bahasa Indonesia.
Struktur topik dalam buku ini memang tidak berurutan, jadi anda dapat membaca dari Bab mana saja sesuai dengan topik yang diminati. Krames memberikan ringkasan pada setiap akhir Bab, sehingga bagi anda yang ingin mendapatkan intisari dari topik tersebut dapat langsung melihat pada akhir masing-masing Bab, walaupun saya menganjurkan untuk membaca Bab secara keseluruhan karena banyak cerita dan insight yang menarik di dalamnya.
Menurut saya buku ini cocok bagi anda yang ingin mengenal dan memahami konsep-konsep Peter F. Drucker dan tidak memiliki waktu untuk membaca seluruh bukunya.
March 3, 2009
Very interesting insight into one of the greatest management people the world has ever known. The author touches lightly on the many great works of Peter Drucker and spends a lot of time looking at the 'person' of Peter Drucker. I came away with greater respect and admiration after reading this book for Peter Drucker, and I started with quite a bit. Well worth reading, even if you don't know anything about Peter Drucker.
December 24, 2012
more humility than anyone ever met, what to abandon/waste, focus on strength, not waste time putting others down, Reagan most effective, doing things right and right things, character first then courage, GE, promote who wish do more, thirds on hiring, no decision worse than bad decision, value creation, success ruins more than failure.
December 24, 2019
I read the *Effective Executive* in 2010 and it was good so I thought I'd read this book. It was pretty good but I think reading Drucker himself would have been a better use of my time. That being said, there were certainly some interesting background things in the book. It's somewhat of a hybrid book, part biography, part history, part business.
December 13, 2009
A little dry, but worth it to me to see where all the best business authors and professors I've had get their ideas. Practically everything about "management" can be traced back to this guy. Amazing.
PS According to Drucker, the purpose of business is "to create a customer." I like that.
PS According to Drucker, the purpose of business is "to create a customer." I like that.
July 16, 2015
Excellent book on a genius called Peter Drucker. Introduces to all philosophies of drucker and is amazing how all these are very relevant in today's world.very well written by Krames - giving his views and quoting other sucessful leaders is informative. Interesting and highly useful too.
May 14, 2009
Oh my, Peter Drucker was a genius beyond what I knew from my management classes.
But, I have problems trying to apply his viewpoints to my work.
But, I have problems trying to apply his viewpoints to my work.
September 18, 2009
that a lot of my opinions are actually his!
October 8, 2009
This book gives the background and history of the management books that I have been reading. If it is a good book to find out what kind of kool-aid that wu has been drinking.
January 14, 2010
have read most of druckers books. This was extra special
January 2, 2011
Good book, nice summary of Drucker's work
March 30, 2013
A should-read book by Peter Drucker on management for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews