The Effective Executive

“Why is this on your reading list?” you ask [in the version of the world where anybody gives a shit about what I read]. The answer is that this is a waypoint on a journey that started when I came across a throwaway comment in an essay that was along the lines of “business books—which are self help for men.” As a self-help addict, I was immediately interested into this window into the emotional world of the straight white male titans of industry during the growth period of 20th century corporate America, and all of the people that wanted to take their place.

The first insight that I gleaned from this book is that at some point Boomers were told better. This book is sexist as all get out—the only time women are mentioned in the book is as an example of a type of employee that costs more, due to the completely unsourced claim that women take more sick days—and it would probably be racist too if Drucker considered the possibility that non-white people could be knowledge workers too. But there's some great stuff in here, really practical ideas about how to come to decisions, how to acknowledge your own biases, how to seek out other perspectives. So, for what its worth, when you come across Baby Boomer myopia and pigheadedness, know that even the straightest, most businessy ones have been told better.

My second insight was just to marvel at what a sorry state American capitalism is, even when you take it on its own merits. The book is unwavering in its commitment to R&D, efficiency, and meeting production goals. It's difficult to see today's world of disruption, venture capital bubbles, and a landscape where the largest companies seem to not need to make a profit represented anywhere in Druckers book. There's something comforting in the corporate world he describes, a world where you grow your business by being better and smarter than your competitors.