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All 16 learnings · one per slide
The
Effective
Executive
Peter F. Drucker, in bytes
16 key learnings from Peter Drucker on getting the right things done.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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The Effective Executive, in bytes
16 key learnings from Peter Drucker's classic on the practices that make knowledge workers effective. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
The
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Learning 1
Effectiveness Can Be Learned
The idea
Drucker argues effectiveness is a set of practices, not a talent.
Example
Drucker saw effective executives with very different personalities, all following the same practices.
Takeaway
Anyone can learn it.
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Learning 2
Know Your Time
The idea
Record where your time actually goes, then cut what doesn't matter.
Example
Executives are often surprised at how much time meetings and interruptions take.
Try this
Log your time for a week.
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Learning 3 · Ch. 2
Prune Time-Wasters
The idea
Ask of each activity: what would happen if this weren't done at all?
Example
Cutting a regular report that nobody reads.
Try this
Stop one activity that adds nothing.
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Learning 4 · Ch. 2
Time Is Scarce
The idea
Time is the scarcest resource; it can't be rented, hired or bought.
Example
Unlike money, time lost today can't be recovered.
Takeaway
Manage time first.
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Learning 5
Consolidate Time
The idea
Important work needs large blocks of uninterrupted time.
Example
Working from home one morning a week to think and write.
Takeaway
Fragmented time produces little.
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Learning 6
Focus on Contribution
The idea
Ask: what can I contribute that will significantly affect results?
Example
An analyst asking how their work improves the company's decisions.
Reflect
What's your unique contribution?
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Learning 7 · Ch. 3
Self-Development
The idea
Focusing on contribution pushes you to grow and raise standards.
Example
Raising your own standards because you see how your work matters.
Takeaway
Contribution drives growth.
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Learning 8
Build on Strengths
The idea
Staff and work around strengths, not around weaknesses.
Example
Lincoln picked Grant for his ability to win battles, despite his drinking.
Takeaway
Make weaknesses irrelevant.
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Learning 9 · Ch. 4
Manage Your Boss
The idea
Help your boss use their strengths, and present information in their preferred way.
Example
Giving a boss who prefers reading a written summary rather than a verbal briefing.
Takeaway
Work with your boss's strengths.
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Learning 10 · Ch. 4
Staff for Strength
The idea
Hire for what people can do exceptionally well.
Example
Hiring a brilliant engineer who isn't a great manager into a technical role.
Takeaway
Strength over well-roundedness.
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Learning 11
First Things First
The idea
Do one thing at a time, and drop yesterday's priorities that no longer matter.
Example
Finishing one major project before starting another.
Try this
List what you'll stop doing.
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Learning 12 · Ch. 5
Posteriorities
The idea
Decide what not to do: 'posteriorities' as well as priorities.
Example
Choosing to drop an old product line to focus on new ones.
Takeaway
Choose what to drop.
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Learning 13
Effective Decisions
The idea
Good decisions start with understanding the problem and disagreement, not consensus.
Example
Alfred Sloan at GM postponed a decision when everyone agreed, to allow disagreement to surface.
Takeaway
Seek dissent before deciding.
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Learning 14 · Ch. 7
Is a Decision Needed?
The idea
Sometimes the best decision is not to act.
Example
Leaving a stable situation alone rather than fixing what isn't broken.
Takeaway
Decide whether to decide.
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Learning 15
Executives Are Everyone
The idea
Any knowledge worker responsible for contribution is an executive.
Example
A researcher deciding what to work on is making executive decisions.
Takeaway
Effectiveness is everyone's job.
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Learning 16 · Conclusion
Effectiveness Must Be Learned
The idea
Drucker ends: effectiveness can and must be learned through practice.
Example
Practising time logging, focusing on contribution and decisions until they become habits.
Takeaway
Practise it daily.
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All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Effectiveness can be learned. What's the one contribution only you can make?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read The Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker (1967) for the full stories. More Books in Bytes