Short Review on

The Effective Executive(Peter F. Drucker)

Mohamed Sharique .V

Introduction• The subject of this book is managing oneself

for effectiveness.• Effectiveness can be learned—and it also has

to be learned.• It is not enough for the individual to be

intelligent, to work hard or to be knowledgeable.

• Effectiveness is something separate, something different.

1. Effectiveness can be Learned

• “Get the right things done”• Manual work vs Knowledge work• Don’t do things right, do the right things• Effectiveness converts intelligence,

imagination and knowledge into results• Efficiency (manual work) do things right• “He produces knowledge, ideas, information.”

Five Practices

• 1) Know where time goes• 2) Focus on results, not effort• 3) Build on strengths , not weakness• 4) Do what counts (Priorities)• 5) Make effective decisions (page 24)• Judgment based on “dissenting* opinions” • “Focus on a few right strategies”• “Minimize razzle-dazzle** tactics”

*Difference of opinion**Confusion

2. Know Thy Time

• “Effective executives do not start with their tasks. They start with their time.”

• Record it, Manage it, Consolidate it.• “The supply of time is totally inelastic”• Memory is not an accurate way to record time• The more physical work you want to eliminate the more

mental work you must do

3. What to Contribute?

• What is the unused potential in my job?• I must produce knowledge, ideas, information and

concepts.• “Commitment to contribution is commitment to

responsible effectiveness”• A “generalist” is a specialist that is universally

understood.

4. Making Strength Productive

• Unified strengths make individual weaknesses irrelevant

• Staff to maximize strengths• Design jobs that are doable,

demanding and large• must have enough challenge to bring out

undiscovered strengths• Start with what they can do rather than

what the job requires• Lead from personal strengths

5. First Things First

• Concentrate• Concentrate• Concentrate

6. Decision Making

• Effective executives make effective decisions

• Effective executives concentrate on the important decisions

Elements of the Decision• Is the problem the symptom or the disease.• The thinking through what is “right,”• Feedback

Effective Decisions• Not going to be pleasant, popular, easy.• Decision making takes as much courage as

it does judgment• The cry of the coward “Let’s make another

study”

Conclusion- Effectiveness Must be Learned

• Record your time• Focus on your contribution• Move forward based on your

strengths• Do first things first• Make effective decisions