I've been a little numb to business books lately, but really enjoyed reading Jack: Straight from the Gut. Being a start-up person and always finding ways to beat the big companies - it was really interesting to hear the perspective of one of the best CEO's of all time. I guess the overarching image that Jack Welch has is a no-nonsense / tough as nails CEO.
What I saw was a guy who wanted to make a big company (massive multi-billion dollar conglomerate) act like a start-up. He wanted to hold people accountable, make sure everyone knew where they stand, invested heavily in training, leadership, and six sigma. He took chances on people who were young and without necessarily the best experience - pushing them to their limits and rewarding them incredibly well with money + stock. Jack was the ultimate deal maker - he lived for the sport. He took a bureaucracy and smashed it over a 20+ year reign.
One of my favorite takeaways was his take on self-confidence:
Arrogance is a killer, and wearing ambition on one's sleeve can have the same effect. There is a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence. Legitimate self-confidence is a winner. The true test of self-confidence is the courage to be open - to welcome change and new ideas regardless of the source. Self-confident people aren't afraid to have their views challenged. They relish the intellectual combat that enriches ideas. They determine the ultimate openness of an organization and its ability to learn. How do you find them? By seeking out people who are comfortable in their own skin - people who like who they are and are never afraid to show it.
Don't ever compromise "being you" for any damn job in any institution.
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