Book Title: The Jack Welch Lexicon of Leadership
Author: Jeffrey A. Krames
Year written/published: 2002
Book Source: Amazon, Library
Summary: This book is arranged alpahbetically like a dictionary.
My Comments:
Some extracts:

Key themes of Welch…
• Command and control is not the best way to run a business
• Involving everyone is the key to enhancing productivity
• Ideas and intellect rule over hierarchy and tradition
• Market-leading businesses can ensue long term growth
• Finding leaders who live the values is more important than finding who makes the numbers
• Developing a learning culture is the key to creating a competitive enterprise

Lessons for spreading knowledge…
1. best practices begins with the assumption that a company does not have all of the answers
2. engage everyone
3. devise a system for identifying best practices
4. invite ‘competitors’ to teach your managers

acquisition lessons…
• do not hesitate to defy the company history
• be aggressive and move quickly
• do not limit acquisitions to US borders
• make infusing your culture into the new firm a top priority

lessons in the art of managing….
• Never back down from reality
• Tell employees that change is ‘never-out’
• Hold regular meetings and encourage your managers to do the same

Lessons in removing the boss element…
• Do not tolerate managers who lead my intimidation
• Simplify practices and procedures
• Hire the As and Es

Lessons in building confidence…
• Build strong businesses
• Let the employees know that you value thei ideas
• Push decision making down the hierarchy

‘council’ lessons…
• Meet with your managers on a regular basis
• Do not set a rigid, minute-by-minute agenda
• Find a comfortable setting for such meetings, out of reach of emails and phones

Delayering lessons…
• Limit the number of layers in your organization
• Fire the strategic planners
• View delayering as a prerequisite to learning and self-actualization

Lessons of the Es…
• Look for leaders with incredible Energy
• Look for managers who share your sense of urgency and competitive drive
• The ability to ignite productivity is the key
• Examine the manager’s track record

Simplicity lessons…
• Never stop simplifying
• Start work-out at your company
• Simplify the organizational structure

Change lessons…
• Change is a constant, and people in the organization must face it
• Never stop communicating on the topic of change
• Stay one step ahead of change