As soon as I saw the book title and cover, I didn't think much of it. But as soon as I picked this up, I was totally wrong! Anyone aspiring to be an effective executive should read this book before taking the position!

Some language and examples are dated, but the observations and techniques remain completely relevant. For example: - First- and second-level managers nowadays usually don't know anywhere near as much as their people about the job's true challenges and solutions. - It rarely works to try to make a person something that he/she simply is not. Capitalize on people's skills instead of trying to manufacture skills in them. - If a person has a major weakness in his role, don't try to fix the situation by splitting the role with another person who has complementary skills and weaknesses. Both will struggle. Things will most likely worsen.

This is the one. Easy to read, yet inspiring in its clarity and focus on the importance of ruthless time management, managing to people’s strengths rather than weaknesses, and effective decision making. It is a quick book to read, and subsequent rereads yield new insights. I’m a fairly senior GM/VP and continue to learn from this book.

This book gives you a very clear understanding of the effective executive. The making, learning and training of him or her. The defining of the EE, how to identify, analyze, decide, improve, develop the traits and behavior of this EE. Great many cases in support of giving you the picture and how it affects the organization, process and outcome. I would recommend this to anybody who wants to take responsibility over his or her decision making, critical thinking and leadership knowledge and skills.

While the words might be dated, the ideas are not. There is something to be said about being effective and doing the best thing. I encourage you to invest your time and be effective by reading this book.