Peter Ferdinand Drucker was an Austrian-born American management consultant, educator, and author, whose writings contributed to the philosophical and practical foundations of the modern business corporation.
Drucker, as we in the biz call him, not only rocks with information and knowledge, but was one of the first influencing giants in management and leadership to emphasize not only the skills, but person (personal) with the skills. “Knowing yourself and your skills” so you can become effective.
There are thousands of us out here that have learned from Drucker – the what to do and the what not to do…lots of how to also. My copy of “The Effective Executive” is right next to my desk in my bookcase. I use it often to reassure myself; share with my clients; and to regroup. Personal strategy many times can be very different than professional strategy. My success has been combining the two into a strategic, ROI results producing career.
And that is why I am sharing Drucker with you as my first blog post of this very very very new year.
Drucker wanted us all to know we could be effective if we knew what our skills are and then used them well. That may seem simplistic, but are you effective? Are you using your skills well?
Key to my coaching with my clients and audiences are some primary questions.
IS IT EFFECTIVE? Are you effective? Are they effective?
- The work
- The people
- Projects
- Strategy
- Tactics
- Opinions
- Outcomes
- Goals
Drucker’s book, “The Effective Executive” (short, but powerful) is worth the read. Get the soft cover so you can underline and mark the passages that speak to you…that help you and your team and your organization be more effective.
Drucker emphasizes knowing yourself and your talents/strengths and using your skills to the fullest.
He also is a stickler for using your time well. Knowing when and when you are not being effective with your time.
One of the aspects that I like of Drucker, is that he educates and teaches us through confidence rather than arrogance.
Arrogance tells; shouts; positions; pushes; reacts.
Confidence listens; invites; shares; guides; motivates; congratulates.
Use Drucker’s wisdom. We do not experience this kind of constructive caring and brilliance often = someone willing to “tell” you what works and what does not work and then show you the way.
Drucker is quoted so often. Here are three of his most famous quotes. I bet you have heard them before:
leadership is doing the right things.”
“The most important thing in communication
is to hear what isn’t being said.”
“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently
that which should not be done at all.”
The last quote is my favorite because it is so true. We can become amazingly efficient and effective with those “things” that do not need doing and certainly don’t need us doing them.
This is your year.
You deserve to shift from “what and how” to easily creating effective outcomes and strategies that use your talents and strengths and provide joy and a confident “well done”.
To your success,
P.S. Here is the link to Peter Drucker’s “The Effective Executive”. Please let me know what you “got” from the book…I know it will be valuable and just at the right time for you. Click here.