What I’m Listening To: Jack Welch on Freakonomics

 

Freakonomics has run an incredible 6 Part Series “Secret Life of CEOs” which has fundamentally changed the way I have thought about Leadership. Mostly in that I’ve never considered myself “leadership material” until I realized that everything these great leaders have said completely reasonates with my world view thus far.

The Secret Life of C.E.O.’s

I recommend listening to every single one of these interviews. And I’m certainly not picking a “favorite”, but I was again, very surprised to find myself so strongly agreeing with so many of Jack Welch’s philosophies. The full interview with him can be found here:

Extra: Jack Welch Full Interview

In particular, here are some of of my paraphrased versions of his leadership lessons that strike a deep cord with me:

  • Pay attention to your employees and your customers and the cash flow will come
  • Radical candor is the kindest thing you can do for someone let them know where they stand
  • Build a team that works well together that culture is everything
  • Never kick someone when they are down. But do give them s smack when they start to swell instead of grow
  • Celebrate successes