You Can't Order Change: Lessons from Jim McNerney's Turnaround at Boeing - Hardcover

Cohan, Peter S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1591842395 ISBN 13: 9781591842392

Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover, 2008

Synopsis

The first book to explore the unique leadership style of Boeing’s acclaimed CEO

Jim McNerney was one of Jack Welch’s top protégés at General Electric and a finalist to replace the retiring Welch as CEO. McNerney lost that competition in 2001, but since then he has emerged as one of the most effective leaders of his generation.

You Can’t Order Change tells the amazing story of McNerney’s turnaround at the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer, which had faced a series of tough problems. Boeing is extremely hard to run, with more than $66 billion in annual revenue and 161,000 employees. A new product like the 787 Dreamliner costs billions to develop over many years, with global production hurdles and little margin for error.

Peter Cohan interviewed people who worked with McNerney throughout his career to explain why his consensus-driven style sets him apart. The title comes from a McNerney quote about the importance of winning hearts and minds with a clear vision of future success.

McNerney combines Midwestern integrity and humility with the brilliance and drive of a Harvard Business School and McKinsey alum. This book reveals his approach to accountability, growth, cost cutting, leadership development, customer focus, and other universal challenges.

About this title

About the Author

Peter S. Cohan is a management consultant and venture capitalist. He earned an MBA from Wharton and teaches strategy at Babson College. He also edits The Cohan Letter, a successful investment newsletter.

Reviews

Cohan, a management consultant and venture capitalist, examines Jim McNerney's unique approach to leadership. One of three finalists in the running to replace General Electric's Jack Welch, McNerney took the helm at Boeing after a stint at 3M. Pressure to boost revenues and cut costs led him to develop a leadership style designed to win the hearts and minds of employees. His mantra—you can't order change—implies that change must come from employees if it is to succeed. Cohan provides a road map to McNerney's success that identifies 11 specific leadership challenges and the management imperatives to overcome them. The prescriptions are universally applicable and include Help Your People Get 15 Percent Better, Build Strategy on Customer Focus, Invest in Your Strengths and Cut Your Company's Environmental Footprint, among others. Easy to navigate and concise, this book will help executives tackle persistent and difficult leadership problems while motivating employees and producing results. (Jan.)
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Edition details

• Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1591842395
• ISBN 13: 9781591842392
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240