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reading picks Lukas Breucha reading picks Lukas Breucha

Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done

In the book": β€œExecution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done”, Bossidy and Charan emphasize the importance of execution as a critical component of successful leadership.

Larry Bossidy is a well-known American businessman who served as CEO of AlliedSignal and Honeywell, and is known for his expertise in the areas of leadership and management. Ram Charan is a noted business consultant and speaker, with extensive experience advising CEOs and senior executives of Fortune 500 companies. Together, they wrote the book "Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done," which provides practical advice for turning strategy into action and achieving organizational goals.

In the book, Bossidy and Charan emphasize the importance of execution as a critical component of successful leadership. They argue that a great strategy is worthless without the ability to execute it effectively, and offer a roadmap for developing the discipline and rigor needed to turn ideas into results. They also provide numerous examples of companies that have succeeded or failed based on their execution capabilities, and offer insights into how to build a culture of accountability and execution within an organization.

The 10 key takeaways from this book include:

  1. Execution is the key to success in business.

  2. Great execution requires discipline and rigor.

  3. A well-defined strategy is necessary but not sufficient for success.

  4. Leaders must take ownership of execution and hold themselves and others accountable.

  5. Execution requires clear communication and alignment throughout the organization.

  6. Successful execution requires a focus on results and a willingness to make tough decisions.

  7. Leaders must be willing to adapt and change course as needed.

  8. A culture of execution requires a shared sense of purpose and values.

  9. Execution is a continuous process, not a one-time event.

  10. Execution requires a balance between short-term and long-term goals.

Overall, "Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done" is a valuable resource for leaders and managers who want to improve their organization's execution capabilities. The book provides practical guidance on how to turn strategy into action, and offers numerous examples and case studies to illustrate key points. By following the principles and practices outlined in the book, readers can improve their own leadership skills and help their organizations achieve greater success.

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reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha

Out of the Crisis

Reading Pick of the day! Out of the Crisis. A classic but now more valid than ever! Written by the godfather of good mgmt. W. Edwards Deming.

Today’s reading pick:

Out of the crisis - by W. Edwards Deming

Deming could be called the Majestro of quality control, the Grand Monsieur of business consulting, the Godfather of management science. Deming is the source of modern business thought. He helped engineer the rise of Japanese competitiveness in the consumer goods sector, thereby giving a major prod to globalization. Perhaps his only failure was not envisioning the extremes to which others would later push his ideas of β€œconstancy of purpose” (e.g. continuous quality improvement). Then again, their own ideas often come back to haunt prophets and, on most points, Deming passes the test of time with flying colors. In this reprint of his 1986 classic, his arguments for single supplier sourcing and for leadership rather than supervision, and against production quotas and the absurd practice of management by walking around, ring as true today as ever. 

Take-Aways

  • The US economy needs revolution, transformation and change, not a hot fix.

  • The theory that manufacturers have to choose between high volume and high quality is a lie.

  • Production increases as quality improves, because products require less β€œrework” and employees are more satisfied, which leads to greater productivity.

  • Japan has no natural resources; it succeeds due to its commitment to quality.

  • Like auto accident statistics, measures of productivity tell you what went wrong but not how to fix it.

  • Companies must guide workers’ efforts with a theory of management. Just having everyone try to do their best is insufficient and will lead to chaos.

  • You have to build quality instead of checking for it.

  • Quotas and management by numbers work against quality. Get rid of them.

  • Relying on a single source supplier will enhance quality in the long run.

  • If you hire consultants, give them the authority to visit any aspect of the company.

Enjoy the read and have fun learning!

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reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha

A Manager's guide to coaching

Reading Pick of the day! A manager’s guide to coaching. Simple and effective ways to get the BEST out of your employees - by Brian Emerson and Anne Loehr.

Today’s reading pick:

A manager’s guide to coaching - by brian emerson and anne loehr

In this absolut useful book, two executive coaches, Anne Loehr and Brian Emerson, explain what coaching is, how it functions and how managers can learn to put it to work to improve employees’ productivity and morale. Often people are unaware of attitudes or behaviors that are holding them back or jeopardizing their careers. That’s where a good coach plays a crucial role. The authors delve into coaching’s methods, explain its benefits, and offer thoughtful instructions and examples. They devote the last third of the book to specific questions to ask while coaching. How you’ll react to the writing style, which is generally clear and serviceable, depends on if you think that β€œcoachee” is a real word and that β€œeveryone does their work” is good enough on the grammar front. Either way, this is a straightforward, practical book for managers who want to be productive coaches.

KEY Take aways

  • An employee’s success depends on β€œaptitude, attitude and resources.” Attitude matters most. In fact, a better outlook can make up for shortfalls in skills or materials.

  • Coaching helps staffers address behaviors and outlooks that hurt their productivity.

  • The β€œW.I.N. B.I.G.” process outlines steps to use with your staff members. In the W.I.N. stage, ask questions to help employees develop self-awareness about issues that are holding them back.

  • In the B.I.G. stage, help them plan and institute problem-solving action.

  • Effective coaches believe in employees’ potential, remain detached, heed their own instincts, set an easy atmosphere, don’t bog down and show alternative perspectives.

  • Coaches must β€œlisten,” pay attention, offer β€œfeedback” and β€œcelebrate” victories.

  • Coaching offers employees an exciting journey of personal and career growth.

Enjoy the read and have fun learning!

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reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha

Getting the Right Things Done

Reading Pick of the day!Getting the Right Things Done. A Leader’s Guide to Planning and Execution - by Pascal Dennis.

Pascal Dennis is a recognized authority in Lean management and a sought-after speaker, coach, and author. He has worked extensively in various industries, including healthcare, aviation, and automotive, helping organizations achieve operational excellence through Lean methodologies. In "Getting the Right Things Done," Dennis shares his insights and experience in strategic planning and execution for leaders who want to drive meaningful change and improve their organization's performance.

In this book, Dennis offers a practical and actionable framework for leaders to identify and prioritize the most critical business opportunities, align their teams' efforts, and execute their plans effectively. He draws on his experience in Lean management and business strategy to provide a systematic approach to strategic planning, execution, and continuous improvement. The book covers topics such as strategy deployment, visual management, problem-solving, and performance measurement, among others.

The key takeaways from "Getting the Right Things Done" are as follows:

  1. Establish a clear and compelling strategic direction that aligns with your organization's purpose and values.

  2. Create a process for translating strategy into specific actions and metrics that are relevant to different levels of the organization.

  3. Use visual management tools to communicate goals, progress, and problems effectively.

  4. Develop a problem-solving culture that encourages everyone to identify and solve problems at the root cause.

  5. Align leadership behaviors and processes to support the desired culture and performance.

  6. Empower front-line employees to improve processes and deliver value to customers.

  7. Use data and analytics to measure performance and inform decision-making.

  8. Foster a continuous improvement mindset that encourages experimentation, learning, and innovation.

  9. Build a resilient and adaptable organization that can respond to changes in the business environment.

  10. Focus on developing people's skills, knowledge, and engagement to drive sustained improvement.

"Getting the Right Things Done" is an excellent resource for leaders who want to learn how to align their team's efforts and achieve their organization's strategic goals. It offers practical guidance and tools that leaders can use to improve their strategic planning and execution processes and build a culture of continuous improvement. The book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to enhance their leadership skills and drive meaningful change in their organization.

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