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The Effective Executive

Written by: Peter F. Drucker
Narrated by: Jim Collins, Timothy Andrés Pabon
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Publisher's Summary

A commemorative edition of Peter F. Drucker's timeless classic work on leadership and management, with a foreword by Jim Collins.

What makes an effective executive?

For decades Peter F. Drucker was widely regarded as "the dean of this country's business and management philosophers" (Wall Street Journal). In this concise and brilliant work, he looks to the most influential position in management - the executive.

The measure of the executive, Drucker reminds us, is the ability to "get the right things done". This usually involves doing what other people have overlooked as well as avoiding what is unproductive. Intelligence, imagination, and knowledge may all be wasted in an executive job without the acquired habits of mind that mold them into results.

Drucker identifies five practices essential to business effectiveness that can - and must - be mastered:

  • Managing time
  • Choosing what to contribute to the organization
  • Knowing where and how to mobilize strength for best effect
  • Setting the right priorities
  • Knitting all of them together with effective decision making

Ranging across the annals of business and government, Drucker demonstrates the distinctive skill of the executive and offers fresh insights into old and seemingly obvious business situations.

©2017 Peter F. Drucker (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Effective Executive

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Much needed insight and instruction - loved it!

I almost didnt get this because of some negative comments on Audible. To my delight - the book was one of the best I’ve ever listened to. Full of applicable wisdom from an old-school genius in effectiveness for executives. Truth doesn't change with time. So the truth in these lessons holds up, even if the illustrations used are a few decades old. If you listen for the guiding principles, and are comfortable thinking through their application - you will find some valuable advice in the Effective Executive.

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  • Overall
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Must Read

this book is for anyone who has to manage themselves or others.
It is a must read for anyone who works with others in a leadership role.
I recommend this book for anyone who struggles to prioritize their time.
#Audible1

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Solid foundations for any knowledge worker

This book felt like an extended cut of "Managing Oneself" with much more emphasis on decisions and teams. Had I read the books in a different order or format this probably would have been 5 stars.

The forward does a great job summarizing the entire book. made this special edition worth it.

Many topics were covered from deciding how to contribute, making decisions and managing your time. Each has stories and examples throughout.

The advice is timeless, but grounded in stories from the time it was written. This is made apparent through hints at what a world could be with computers which are all bang on. I like it as it helps the book cut deeper into what makes to leaders work.

Would highly recommend.

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Classic Principles Still Relevant Today

Key management lessons for those in manager or leadership positions, but applicable to anyone who has even an inkling of wanting to do more for themselves and their organizations. It provides guidance on essential questions to ask yourself day to day, and has helped answer some problems I have been having in my management role giving me a clearer direction on how to move forward and prevent future problems from arising.

It feels simple and concise, but I know I will be coming back to this auidobook often to review its lessons, truly a timeless classic.

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Timeless and powerful

I've read many books about business and management, but this one really stands out. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to step up their accountability and effectiveness. As someone who has long prided himself on being a hard worker, I now realize that working hard is not enough. Effectiveness is the aim. Powerful tools and mindset within!

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First Drucker Book....fantastic

Great book, loved the forward by Jim Collins, entire book kept me going right to the end and I was left with more ideas on other books.

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Great book

the narration could be better, very monotone almost felt like a computer was reading

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Must read

I try to read this every few years. This is my 3rd in the last five or so years. What is remarkable is that each time I'm reminded of better ways to improve my management skills, to be more effective in the current challenges I'm facing. Form innovation to communication Druker provides insight on how to achieve outcomes.

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had a wonderful time listening to this book

it helped me focus on my import tasks for each day of the week. it has also helped me focus on my organization's long term goals and what I can do to move the needle forward

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Outdated Text

Super outdated, and difficult to follow due to the outdated case studies that just seem irrelevant. I feel like this is the perfect example of finding a conclusion and manipulating a scenario to prove the point. Key principles are there if you can find them. It's painful to listen too and strangely enough I found that I learned the most from the last chapter which basically sums up all the chapters in plain English that's easy to understand.

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1 person found this helpful