Written by his longtime speechwriter, this book on former General Electric chief executive Jack Welch contains insightful anecdotes into his life, including how the man loved to surround himself with “fanatics, nuts and true believers?
In fact, he loved people who had passion and would write off those who made presentations “with an air
of going through the motions?rather than passionately advocating a mode of action. But this also meant
MrWelch, who had an “addictive personality? sometimes “moved people too fast?
The author captures the essence of Mr Welch’s colourful personality in the first few pages. For example,
while looking through the company’s annual report ?prepared by the author ?Mr Welch came away angry and spewing profanities because he did not like the picture of him used in the report. But the writer insisted he had sent the picture to MrWelch and it had gone to print after the latter did not voice any objection.
The argument between the two middle-aged men left Mr Welch’s secretaries ?who were standing by and watching ?ashen-faced. They refused to speak to each other for three days before Mr Lane ran into
him in an elevator full of strangers.
“You still hate me, Jack??asked the author. Mr Welch replied: “Bill, you have to understand vanity.?
More than just a fascinating insight into his legacy, the anecdotes offer lessons on his no-nonsense leadership, which, while unlikely to be replicated, is a style worth learning from.
