High Output Management

by Andrew S. Grove

in the work of the soft professions, it becomes very difficult to distinguish between output and activity. And as noted, stressing output is the key to improving productivity, while looking to increase activity can result in just the opposite.

Reports are more a medium of self-discipline than a way to communicate information. Writing the report is important; reading it often is not. There are many parallels to this.

Leverage can also be negative. Some managerial activities can reduce the output of an organization. I mean something very simple. Suppose I am a key participant at a meeting and I arrive unprepared.

In my own case, I get a much better understanding of an issue with which I am not familiar by listening to two people with opposing views discuss it than I do by listening to one side only.

if we try to focus on everything, we focus on nothing.

A manager’s output is the output of the organization under his supervision or influence.