Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Effective Executive summary
The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done
15 mins
Brief summary
"The Effective Executive" by Peter F. Drucker is a guide for leaders on how to improve productivity, manage priorities, and make effective decisions. It emphasizes the importance of time-management and developing a clear sense of goals in order to achieve success.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Effective Executive
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Effective executives lead by example; improving your own skills will help you succeed.
Think about an executive you admire. Does this person seem so skilled it’s as if they were born for the job?
In reality, effective executives aren’t born, they’re made. Which means you can become one too.
Start by tuning in to yourself. Management isn’t about transforming other people, it’s about leading by example.
An effective executive knows what needs to happen, how to put ideas into action and how to promote a sense of responsibility and accountability throughout an entire organization.
U.S. President Harry Truman is a good example of an effective leader. When Truman took office in 1945, although he wanted to focus on domestic issues, he realized that issues abroad needed attention. So he focused on foreign policy and eventually established himself as one of the most effective foreign-policy presidents in American history.
These kinds of stellar results are only possible if you develop yourself and make an effort to improve.
To do so, carefully review your own performance. When done systematically, this can be a powerful tool for self-development. By checking final results against initial expectations, you’ll be able to better understand your strengths and pinpoint areas for improvement.
Performance reviews can also reveal whether you hold any misconceptions. You might be a victim to decision bias, for example: making decisions based on the loudest or most prominent suggestions.
Another reason performance reviews are helpful is because they help you discover your true weaknesses – things that you can’t really improve. Through this you’ll know better when to delegate decisions to others, to improve the overall outcome.
So, what can you concretely change in your day-to-day life that will allow both you and your organization to become more effective?
Want more?
Read or listen to the key ideas
from 7,500+ titles
Read or listen to the key ideas
from 7,500+ titles
Key ideas in The Effective Executive
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Effective Executive about?
In The Effective Executive, author Peter Drucker offers a step-by-step guide to becoming a more productive and effective executive. By mastering a few procedures and principles, you can develop your own capacities as a leader and also support your employees’ strengths, with the goal of improving results across your organization.
The Effective Executive Review
The Effective Executive (1966) by Peter F. Drucker is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their effectiveness and productivity. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- With its practical wisdom and actionable insights, it provides readers with invaluable tools to become more efficient and make a bigger impact.
- By drawing on real-world examples and case studies, Drucker brings his principles to life, making the book relatable and applicable to any executive's challenges.
- The book's engaging storytelling and concise writing keep readers hooked, ensuring that the content is never dull and always relatable.
Best quote from The Effective Executive
Everyone can make the wrong decision – in fact, everyone will sometimes make the wrong decision.
—Peter F. Drucker
Who should read The Effective Executive?
- Anyone interested in becoming a more effective manager
- Anyone who wants to improve their performance both personally and at work
- Anyone wondering how to create a more cooperative working environment
Categories with The Effective Executive
Book summaries like The Effective Executive
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Effective Executive FAQs
What is the main message of The Effective Executive?
The main message of The Effective Executive is the importance of effective management and decision-making in achieving success.
How long does it take to read The Effective Executive?
The reading time for The Effective Executive varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Effective Executive a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Effective Executive is a valuable read for anyone looking to enhance their effectiveness as a leader. It provides useful insights and practical advice for improving managerial skills.
Who is the author of The Effective Executive?
The author of The Effective Executive is Peter F. Drucker.
What to read after The Effective Executive?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Effective Executive, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Managing Oneself by Peter F. Drucker
- How to Be a Positive Leader by Jane E. Dutton & Gretchen M. Spreitzer
- How to Be a Leader by Plutarch
- The Essential Drucker by Peter F. Drucker
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The First Minute by Chris Fenning
- Read People Like a Book by Patrick King
- Innovation in Real Places by Dan Breznitz
- The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins
- Mastering Leadership by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams