The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker

An “executive ” as defined by Drucker is not necessarily the person in the big corporate office, but rather anyone who decides to use their time effectively to get the best results. The effective executive is first of all expected to get the right things done. The question, “What contribution can I make?” helps the executive distinguish between those task to be done and those to be disregarded or delegated. Drucker states, “To focus on contribution is to focus on effectiveness.” In other words, you must make a contribution to your organization or team. Modern society has shifted from predominantly manual workers to knowledge workers. Productivity for the knowledge worker means the ability to get the right things done therefore they are effective. To contribute and be effective you need to focus on your strengths and manage your time. If you don’t know your strengths conduct a “feedback analysis”. Look at how well you do task you accomplish and ask for feedback. To be effective, it’s just as, if not more, important to create a “Stop-Doing” list as well as a “To-Do” list. Some items on the “Stop-Doing” list can be transferred to a “Offload” list to be delegated. Like Steven Covey in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Drucker also emphasizes the critical point of doing “First Things First” and only doing one thing at a time. An effective executive has the concentration or courage to impose on time and events his own decision as to what really matters and comes first.

The Effective Executive is a classic business book and is found on many top book lists for leaders to read. I too highly recommend reading it.

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