Life-Based Leadership Principles from Jack Welch Essay Example for Free

Life-Based Leadership Principles from Jack Welch Essay During the hundreds of millions of years of natural evolution on this planet, survival has always been a continuous challenge for living creatures. It has recently to come into light that in the past four million years, there have been scores of human species on the earth, besides us homo sapiens. However, all of these various human-like beings including the Neanderthal man perished in the course of evolution; we humans have outlived all of them. We have emerged as the true survivors. We are the last â€Å"man† standing. However, in the whole history of the world, survival could have never been as tough as it is in today’s world of big business. It is an ever-changing, dizzingly fast-paced, intensely competitive and danger-saturated environment out there. There are many survivors and many winners in this arena, of course. Of all such exceptional people in the recent decades, there is one man who stands out as a celebrated icon of leadership and business success. And it is none other than Jack Welch of GE, arguably the finest CEO in the latter half of the twentieth century. Speaking from a broad perspective, he is not just an exemplary business leader, but a hero, a survivor, a symbol of the triumph of man. Jack Welch is a man who believed that each individual should control his or her own destiny. Welch sums up his conviction thus: â€Å"Today, I see winning as people defining their objectives and fulfilling them, not being a victim. You define where you want to go, and then you go for it ([emailprotected]) And from the depth of this belief perhaps sprang the secret of his greatness. Starting from the early Eighties, Jack Welch, CEO of the General Electric Corporation, has led his company through one of the most revolutionary and far-reaching changes ever witnessed in modern business history. Having taken GE with a market capitalization of about $12 billion, Jack Welch turned it into one of the largest and most admired companies in the world, with a market value of about $500 billion, when he stepped down as its CEO 20 years later, in 2000. Although Jack Welch was the legendary leader of a global manufacturing giant noted for its technological might and superiority, he has utilized a very human process to drive change through GEs vast organization. He honoured the individual above all, and the humanity of the individual. To him, the individual was the pivotal force in bringing about organizational change. And for the major part of his immensely successful career at the helm of GE he relentlessly embraced change. It was change that made GE businesses leaders in their markets, added profitable, productive businesses to GEs family, and tapped the brains of knowledgeable employees. Welch worked for change, and change worked for him. Jack Welch of course knew how difficult change could be. Nevertheless he viewed change as his only real chance to transform GE into the kind of top-notch competitive enterprise that he wanted it to be. Only through continuously undergoing massive changes, GE could win, and Jack Welch firmly believed in winning. He wanted to be a winner. And winners were not afraid to make changes. However, pursuit of change, empowerment of individuals, and such principles are only part of a broder human-centric principles of successful leadership in which Jack Welch passionately believed in. Welch’s original approach to management and leadership, which proved so successful in transforming GE could be summed up unders six heads: Control your destiny, or someone else will. Welchs first maxim became the title of a semi-autobiographic bestseller that described the revolution at GE. The basic approach that Welch followed to carry out a dramatic revolution at GE was to trust the individual and let him or her believe in their own desitiny. Welsh believed in delegating authority freely, fairly and responsibly, within the company. In a general context, however, while no mere human being can have absolute control over his or her destiny, the point is to take total personal responsibility for one’s own life and actions, and assume intelligent control of the course of things. 2. Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it were. Facing reality is tough. Facing reality means looking directly into suffering, failure, inadequacy of ourselves, others, and the world, something which we human beings are programmed to avoid. When corporations do not face simple realities, however, such as their products costing more to produce and being worthless than those of their competitors, market share and profits drop, the company and its employees suffer. Welch saw all these things happening at GE. Only when we are ready to honestly examine ourselves and acknowledge our shortcomings, will we be able to do anything about them. Acceptance can lead to transformation. 3. Be candid with everyone. Traditional wisdom says that honesty is the best policy. This home-spun truth has great relevance in today’s hyper-modern corporate settings. Welch strove to create an atmosphere at GE where people could effortlessly speak up to somebody in authority, who could then do something about their problems. It is an atmosphere, it is in the air of GE. Welch himself regularly spoke with front-line employees on the plant floor. Welch was equally open to hear both the good and bad things about GE. Honesty, sincerity and candor: they have their own rewards. In a bureaucracy, people are afraid to speak out. This type of environment slows you down, and it doesnt improve the workplace, says Jack Welch. He therefore calls for promoting a corporate culture that appreciates and rewards honest feedback. You reinforce the behaviors that you reward. If you reward candor, youll get it. 4. Dont manage, lead. Welch abhorred a strictly hierarchical type of management built on the concept of control. To Welch, managers should become leaders who show the way to other people by inpsiring and motivating them. Instead of controlling and exploiting workers, leaders should liberate and empower them. Do not push and pull your employees at every opportunity, gently guide them towards greater possibility. Welch’s leadership philosophy continues to be very simple: empower others, ask questions, tap into the potential of all of your associates, choose integrity and candor over charts, graphs, and politics, and spend more time in action instead of planning and posturing budgets. 5. Change before you have to. That is to say, proactivity. One has to be able to look ahead and predict changes that future is going to necessitate. In the context of a business organization, it is far better to change early those things in a company that need to be changed to stay competitive, when there is still plenty of time, rather than forcibly having to change them later when an adverse reality in form of failure and loss thrusts itself in the face of the organization. Welch was fond of yelling across the table at meetings, Change, before its too late! 6. If you dont have a competitive advantage, dont compete. Welch often quoted his business maxim that every division at GE had to be number one or number two or get out of that specific business. In the 1980s, Welch was convinced that inflation would soon become rampant thereby slowing down economic growth. The elimination of the old-line businesses was not going to be an easy job in terms of loss of jobs and lowering of morale that it implied. But Welch had to do what he had to do. The Number 1 or number 2 philosophy – as ruthless as it sounds – had been critical for GE to grow and survive in the modern world.

The Big Lie(about Theism) :: essays research papers

The Big Lie I have been going to church since I was three years old. I also attended Sunday school since I was three. Since then I have been confirmed as a member of the church and have actively participated in the senior high youth program at my church. All of these years I figured that I would "grow into god", well at least that is what my pastor said. I think of myself now, at seventeen years old, and I still have not "grown into god". I have many reasons why I chose atheism. First I think of church as a bunch of hogwash. When I take a step back to look at the church, here is what I see. I see a god that has not shown any proof for that last 2000 years (if even then), I also see a god that has left no evidence, except for the cross. Lets talk about the cross for a moment. Jesus was supposed to have carried this huge cross only to be nailed to it and hung among thieves. First off, if Jesus was this big threat to a king and supposed to be the Son of God would not one think that he would go out with a bigger ceremony. I do not think that the king would just hand him among thieves. Second, on the third day he was supposed to move this huge stone and "rise". What is rising anyway did he just magically lift into the air without making a sound and no one seeing him. Or was it more of a fade away into nothing, if that was so why did he move the stone? I see many similarities between the church and a cult. What is a cult? A cult as I see it is people who blindly dedicate time and money to a higher power in which they have never seen evidence of, same as the church. The main difference between a church and a cult as I see it is the church has history. Many cults can be self-destructive, hence the church is thought to be stronger. The people of the church also have this book they cling to, the bible. This bible was supposed to be written thousands of years ago and supposed to have actual quotes from Jesus himself. First how could a book last this long? The Big Lie(about Theism) :: essays research papers The Big Lie I have been going to church since I was three years old. I also attended Sunday school since I was three. Since then I have been confirmed as a member of the church and have actively participated in the senior high youth program at my church. All of these years I figured that I would "grow into god", well at least that is what my pastor said. I think of myself now, at seventeen years old, and I still have not "grown into god". I have many reasons why I chose atheism. First I think of church as a bunch of hogwash. When I take a step back to look at the church, here is what I see. I see a god that has not shown any proof for that last 2000 years (if even then), I also see a god that has left no evidence, except for the cross. Lets talk about the cross for a moment. Jesus was supposed to have carried this huge cross only to be nailed to it and hung among thieves. First off, if Jesus was this big threat to a king and supposed to be the Son of God would not one think that he would go out with a bigger ceremony. I do not think that the king would just hand him among thieves. Second, on the third day he was supposed to move this huge stone and "rise". What is rising anyway did he just magically lift into the air without making a sound and no one seeing him. Or was it more of a fade away into nothing, if that was so why did he move the stone? I see many similarities between the church and a cult. What is a cult? A cult as I see it is people who blindly dedicate time and money to a higher power in which they have never seen evidence of, same as the church. The main difference between a church and a cult as I see it is the church has history. Many cults can be self-destructive, hence the church is thought to be stronger. The people of the church also have this book they cling to, the bible. This bible was supposed to be written thousands of years ago and supposed to have actual quotes from Jesus himself. First how could a book last this long?

Into the Wild Book Analysis

He wanted to escape the sick society he thought he was living in, liberated from judgment, control, parents and material excess. In order to complete his new life transformation Chris gave himself a new name, Alexander Superstar. It appeared as though he had created this alter ego to help him reach his destination, Alaska. During his odyssey everyone who came in contact with knew him by â€Å"Alex. † In Chris Mishandles Journey throughout America he came across people who helped him along the way.While hitchhiking up the cost on US Highway 101, Chris was kicked up by a couple, Jane and her boyfriend Bob. They traveled around the West selling knick-knack at flea markets and swap meets. Both grew very fond of him and provided him with shelter. Jane was very concern that a young man was in a dangerous world and when asked if his parents knew where he was, he was given no response. I believe Jane was genuinely concern because she had a son which she didn't know his whereabouts. I was unfortunate to experience the unknown when a love one goes missing. It's extremely emotionally draining.Your mind goes wild and ills with countless bad thoughts of what could or has happened. I was going crazy for my missing dog I can't imagine being unable to find a son. It saddened me that he never reached out to his parents. Throughout the story I was waiting for him to call at least his sister whom he was very closed to. I wasn't sure if he was rebelling and anger against his parents or he was Just selfish, inconsiderate, ungrateful, insensitive young man. While haltingly back up to the Baja, Chris was picked up by an eighty two year old man by the name of Ronald Franz.Mr.. Franz was a religious, lonely old man whose wife and only son were ripped away from him by a drunk driver. The old man was growing much attached to Chris, up to the point of wanting to adapt him as his grandson. The old man though that Chris was a lost soul and wanted to pursue him to get an education. To the old mans surprise, according to Mr.. Franz, Chris told him, â€Å"you don't need to worry about me. I have a college education. I'm not destitute. I'm living like this by choice. † Jon Krause, Into The Wild, page] Chrism's passion to go toAlaska and experience the wild meant more to Chris than commodities. Chris gave, what I thought was bad advice to Mr.. France. Chris believed that the core of a man spirit came from new experiences. Chris advised an eight two old man to sell his home and live on the road. The old man did Just that, he sold his home and lived In his truck park where Chris once lived. The old man waited for Chris to return for months Trot Alas Aka out to Nils surprise, a transit en palace up tool ml Tanat snarls Ana expired. The old man was much divested that at that moment he renounced his elisions beliefs.Mr.. Franz stated, â€Å"l decided I couldn't believe in a God who would let something that terrible happen to a boy like Alex. † , Jon Krause, Into The Wild, page] Once spring came around Chris decided continue his Journey to Alaska. In April 1992 Chris, not well equipped, headed down the Stampede Trail in Alaska. He began his odyssey with only ten pounds of rice, a . 22 rifle, a camera, several boxes of rifle rounds, and some reading material. He declined to take the most essential tools for survival in the wilderness; such as, a map and a compass.In the wild he got to spend time with nature, he ran with the wild horses, hunting for food, he was one with nature away from society. Chris, Just like one of his favorite writer Leo Tolstoy, abandons a life of comfort and privilege to wander among the underprivileged. In the wild he discovered himself and realized that happiness is only real when shared. After two months in the woods of Alaska, Chris felt satisfied with what he had accomplished and experienced he was ready to return to civilization. Unfortunately, Chris found himself trapped in the wild.His only exit was cross ing the Testimonial River Chris founded impossible crossing it. For a while Chris survived feeding on squires, birds and wild berries. According to Chris Journals on day 100 in the wild he was exited he had survived another day. He's food supply was extinct, as of result, he was dying of starvation. It's ironic that Chris was excited and all he though about going to Alaska and he was trapped and eventually reached his death. Poor Chris, I can't even imagine the mental and physical agony he suffered before he expired. Chris story was sad and heartbreaking.

The Life And Times Of Scott Fitzgerald - 766 Words

The Life and Times of Scott Fitzgerald How did Fitzgerald’s life and the time period influence his writing? The mastermind behind one of America s best and most revolutionary pieces of literature had a humble beginning. He was born on September 24, 1896 to Mary and Edward Fitzgerald of St. Paul Minnesota. As a child, the family moved back and forth between Buffalo and Syracuse New York, they were dependent on his fathers’ minimum wage jobs. Scott’s first piece of writing, a detective story, was printed in the school newspaper at age thirteen. After he graduated from high school, he choose to attend Princeton University for his higher education. However, during World War Two, to serve his country and prove his patriotism, he dropped out and joined the United States Army. Fitzgerald became fearful that he would perish during the war and hastily composed a short story. The Romantic Egotist however, was not a success, but the publisher encouraged him to continue to rework the book further. During training for the army, Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre. He fell in love with her, however she was descended from an upper class family and would not accept a mere poor man’s love. World War Two was ended before he was deployed and Fitzgerald moved to New York to launch an impressive advertising career in order to entice Zelda to marry him. He soon abandoned his job and moved back to St. Paul to rework his failed novel. Eventually he came out with This Side of Paradise. The book turnedShow MoreRelatedThe Life And Times Of Scott Fitzgerald764 Words   |  4 PagesThe Life and Times of Scott Fitzgerald How did Fitzgerald’s life and the time period influence his writing? The mastermind behind one of America s greatest and most revolutionary pieces of literature had a humble beginning. He was born on September 24, 1896 to Mary and Edward Fitzgerald of St. Paul Minnesota. As a child, the family moved back and forth between Buffalo and Syracuse New York, they were dependent on his fathers minimum wage jobs. Scott’s first piece of writing, a detective storyRead MoreThe Life and Times of a Philosopher of Flappers Essay696 Words   |  3 PagesThe Roaring Twenties was a time renowned for partying, drinking, and a time without war. F. Scott Fitzgerald is just one of the many writers during this time to write about such times. Fitzgerald, however, is an author that defined this era also known as the Jazz Age. Known for novels such as The Great Gatsby, This Side of Paradise, and The Beautiful and the Damned, and many short stories, Fitzgerald is described by famousauthors.org as â€Å"one of the greatest writers American soil has produced in theR ead MoreAmerican Idealism in F. Scoot Fitzgerald ´s The Great Gatsby847 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å"Gatsby is in modern times the central artistic expression of the American experience.† According to Ross MacDonald, F. 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