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CEO Excellence By Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra (Book Review)

Discover the secrets of successful leadership in CEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra. Written by experienced consultants from McKinsey & Company, this book gives insights from interviews with top CEOs. Learn about the six key mindsets that set exceptional leaders apart and gain valuable tools for implementing these strategies in your business. Whether struggling with board dynamics or looking to strengthen stakeholder connections, CEO Excellence provides solutions to common leadership challenges. So, if you’re an entrepreneur looking to improve your leadership skills and navigate the complexities of running a company, this book is your guide!

Who are Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra?

Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra are senior partners at McKinsey & Company, renowned for their leadership and organizational development expertise. Together, they authored CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest, drawing from 67 in-depth interviews with CEOs of leading global companies like General Motors, American Express, and Microsoft. 

During a McKinsey Live webinar, Dewar and Malhotra shared key insights and strategies uncovered from these conversations. They emphasize that excellent CEOs excel in six primary responsibilities: setting direction, aligning the organization, mobilizing leaders, engaging the board, connecting with stakeholders, and managing personal effectiveness. 

Their research highlights the core mindsets driving top-performing CEOs, including bold vision-setting, prioritizing organizational alignment, focusing on team dynamics, fostering trust with the board, and maintaining clarity of purpose. Dewar, Keller, and Malhotra advocate for CEOs to lead intentionally and effectively, emphasizing aligning actions with the organization’s overarching purpose.

What’s The Value in Reading CEO Excellence?

Are you an entrepreneur or business owner looking to improve your leadership skills? Then grab a cup of coffee and settle in because CEO Excellence is about to take you on a fascinating journey into the minds of some of today’s top corporate leaders.

From the halls of McKinsey & Company, this book provides a deep understanding of the strategies and mindsets that set the best CEOs apart from the rest. Through extensive interviews with industry titans like Jamie DimonSatya Nadella, and Mary Barra, the authors distill a wealth of wisdom that can help you navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.

This book contains the six mindsets that define CEO excellence: Direction Setting, Organizational Alignment, Mobilizing Leaders, Board Engagement, Stakeholder Connection, and Personal Effectiveness. Each mindset is accompanied by three supporting practices, giving you 18 practical strategies to incorporate into your leadership toolkit.

As you dive into the pages of CEO Excellence, you’ll encounter thought-provoking ideas that challenge traditional knowledge. From the importance of radical transparency in boardroom communications to the evolving role of companies in society, this book will push you to reconsider your assumptions about leadership and business.

While CEO Excellence offers priceless perspectives into corporate leadership, the reviewer suggests that future editions could benefit from a deeper exploration of cultural nuances. Specifically, a closer look at how Indian companies navigate leadership challenges within the context of their unique values and traditions could offer valuable lessons for a global audience.

CEO Excellence is an excellent resource for entrepreneurs wanting to improve their leadership skills. Packed with strategies, insightful interviews, and ideas, this book will leave a lasting impact on anyone striving for excellence in the corporate world. So why wait? Dive into CEO Excellence today and unlock the secrets of successful leadership!

Final Thoughts

 

CEO Excellence takes you on an exciting journey into the minds of today’s top corporate leaders, sharing tips and strategies to improve your leadership skills. Written by experts from McKinsey & Company, this book explores the six key mindsets that make great CEOs, providing 18 strategies for you to try. Whether setting goals or managing your time better, each section gives you actionable tips for your business. Plus, there are tools to help you assess and prioritize what’s important. While the book challenges common beliefs and gives you new ideas. Still, CEO Excellence is a go-to book for anyone who wants to succeed in business. So, why wait? Start reading today and begin your journey to becoming a great leader!