The World's Best Book Summaries
What is Jack Welch’s “rank and yank” system? Does this system actually work? According to Winning by Jack Welch, the controversial side of differentiation is employee differentiation. This involves systematically firing your worst-performing employees, in a system called “rank and yank.” Discover more about the rank and yank system and how it’ll help your business.
What is the concept of social responsibility? What does the ideal institution look like? Robert K. Greenleaf believes that institutions have a social responsibility to meet the needs of those they serve. In Servant Leadership, he explains how servant leaders can transform underperforming institutions into ideal institutions that fulfill their social responsibility. Find out how ideal institutions come together through the work of leaders and trustees.
What does it mean to have social responsibility? How can a business be socially responsible? Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf believes that servant leaders will ensure that the businesses they belong to fulfill their social responsibility. They’ll do this by changing these businesses from the inside out with a clear vision of a better path forward. If you’re a leader who wants to avoid business failures by being socially responsible, keep reading.
What’s the importance of an authentic leadership style? What makes a leader true to themselves in the workplace? Being an authentic leader involves expressing your true thoughts and feelings, addressing problems honestly and directly with the people involved, and upholding your commitments. According to The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, these are all actions that improve team cohesion and reduce the likelihood of interpersonal conflict. Discover how to sustain an authentic leadership style that everyone will look up to.
What is an institutional trustee? Why do trustees need to have more than just financial responsibilities? Many people probably assume that trustees only worry about finances in organizations. But as Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf points out, trustees, ideally, should be prioritizing the social responsibility of institutions. Continue reading to learn about the ideal role of institutional trustees.
What was Wall Street like in the 1980s? How did the Salomon Brothers make their fortune during this time? In the 1980s, Wall Street managed to recover from the high unemployment and inflation rates from the previous decade. This led to the rise of the bond market that the Salomon Brothers investment firm took advantage of. Let’s look at how the Salomon Brothers successfully navigated the bond market during this time.
What are the top four competitive strategies in business? Which of these strategies is right for your operation? A competitive strategy is a tactic businesses use to gain an advantage in the market. Even within a niche market, there may be hundreds or thousands of markets to compete with, so having a good strategy can make your business more attractive to consumers. We’ll look at the four most common competitive strategies in business and explain how each of them can put you on top.
How many bad managers have you had? Are you sure you’re a good manager? What common assumption about good employees is misguided? Employee experience expert Russ Laraway says poorly trained, ineffective managers are everywhere, and they’re costing companies billions of dollars every year. However, he says he has the solution: By developing a few key leadership skills, you can greatly improve your team’s morale and performance. Read more to learn why ineffective management is so common, how you can determine your own effectiveness, and why improving your skills is easier than you might think.
What’s the difference between a leader and a manager? Should managers bother to develop leadership skills? If so, which ones? Employee experience expert Russ Laraway laments the widespread problem of bad management. But, he has good news. He believes anyone can become a better manager by learning and practicing basic leadership skills: setting and reaching goals, coaching, and helping employees with career development. Continue reading to learn what Laraway thinks are essential leadership skills for managers.
How can every employee contribute to an organization’s objectives? Why is it important to set both short-term and long-term goals? In When They Win, You Win, employee experience expert Russ Laraway explains how you, as a manager, are responsible for helping your team contribute to your business’s goals. He divides these objectives into four tiers, starting with shorter-term goals and culminating in the company’s long-term goal. Read more to learn about a business’s long-term objectives and its ultimate aspiration—and how these complement each other.