Book Rec: The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker
Productivity
The Effective Executive stands as a simple strong lighthouse guiding us away from cheap productivity hacks, time squandering multi-tasking, and good projects that are the enemy of great projects.
Here is a work problem for you to chew on:
Productivity = Effectiveness x Efficiency
This book is helpful because, it clearly describes that of those two inputs, effectiveness is far more important.
I’ve worked with teammates who would crow about they were email MASTERS! Cawing about how they send 100’s of emails each day!
Maybe you’ve had to work with someone like this.
The Hollow Crow reminds us that productivity isn’t about getting the right number of things done, but getting the right things done. Period.
Without a focus on effectiveness above efficiency we can become masters at sending worthless emails, and not giving our priority work the deep concentration it needs. Being efficient only amplifies our productivity when we are doing the right things.
The Effective Executive is densely written, but relatively short book of 208 pages. Drucker offers a trove of simple and strongs truth about how we as knowledge workers need to focus on our key 1 or 2 priorities to avoid getting pulled into daily fads or fire fighting.
Effectiveness Tips
1.) Firm Improvement Links to Personal Improvement
“The man who asks of himself, “What is the most important contribution I can make to the performance of this organization?” asks in effect, “What self-development do I need? What knowledge and skill do I have to acquire to make the contribution I should be making? What strengths do I have to put to work? What standards do I have to set myself?” – The Effective Executive, loc. 1033
Drucker lays out how the pursuit of effectiveness sets off a chain reaction of self improvement. This focus is the difference between asking, “how many minutes should I jog on the treadmill?” vs. “what sport could I be best at?”
2.) Priority Not Priorit+(ies)
“Effective executives do not race. They set an easy pace but keep going steadily. Finally, the typical executive tries to do several things at once. Therefore, he never has the minimum time quantum for any of the tasks in his program. If any one of them runs into trouble, his entire program collapses.” – The Effective Executive, loc. 1525
This quote is good both because of the wisdom it contains and displays Drucker’s compact writing style. In a few lines Drucker nods to several important truths:
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How to view competition
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The value of small daily accomplishments
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The danger of setting too many goals
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The need for setting aside chunks of “maker time” as a manager
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How to think through scheduling project deadlines
3.) Elimination Before Excellence
“The executive who wants to be effective and who wants his organization to be effective polices all programs, all activities, all tasks. He always asks: “Is this still worth doing?” And if it isn’t, he gets rid of it so as to be able to concentrate on the few tasks that, if done with excellence, will really make a difference in the results of his own job and in the performance of his organization.” – The Effective Executive, loc 1569
This is a good example of the contrast between the effectiveness and efficiency. Is this still worth doing vs. how can I do this faster? It’s the difference between a frozen prepackaged meal and a thoughtful meal plan that promotes your health into your 100’s.
Challenge
Drucker makes the point in the book that an effective executive can not focus on 3, 4, or 5 five priorities at time. Just 1 or 2. So when you think about your work can you summarize your focus as just two priorities? When you think about the leader you are in your family can you state just two priorities?
-SRS
Thanks for the book review. Sounds like an excellent book!
reneehastings | executive assistant to tracy rogge, cfo | morrison healthcare | o: 404 845 3362 | m: 404 227 4831
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