Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done

by Larry Bossidy

Suppose a leader goes to a plant or business headquarters and speaks to the people there. He is sociable and courteous. He shows superficial interest in his subordinates’ kids—how well they’re doing in school, how they like the community, and so on. Or he chats about the World Series, the Super Bowl, or the local basketball team. He may ask some shallow questions about the business, such as “What’s your level of revenue?” This leader is not engaged in his business. When the visit is over, some of the managers may feel a sense of relief, because everything seemed to go so well and pleasantly. But the managers who are any good will be disappointed. They’ll ask themselves, What was the point? They had prepared for tough questions—good people like to be quizzed, because they know more about the business than the leader. They’ll feel frustrated and drained of energy. They didn’t get a chance to make a good impression on the leader—and the leader certainly didn’t make a good impression on them. And of course, the leader hasn’t learned anything. The next time he makes prognostications about the company, the press or the securities analysts may be awed, but the people in the business will know better. They’ll ask each other, “How on earth could he say those things so confidently when he doesn’t have a clue about what’s happening down here?”