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Great CEOs Are Lazy
How do the really exceptional CEOs get more done in less time than everyone else? What is their technique for getting their work done while still having the time to spend pursuing hobbies and spending quality time with their friends and family?
The truth is that great and lazy CEOs know a secret when it comes to time management. Rather than spending a little time on a lot of things, the best CEOs spend most of their time eliminating the single biggest constraint to the growth of their business. They spend a lot of time diagnosing this constraint before taking action. This process is similar to looking for the kink in a garden hose so you can get the flow going again. These is no use trying to unkink the hose until you find the actual problem.
Depending on the nature of the constraint, they engage in fixing the kink in the hose using one of five different roles the
Learner
Architect
Coach
Engineer
Player
These form the archetype for great leadership. These are all high leverage roles that create a permanent improvement in the business.
This insight isn't just some theory either; it s derived directly from working with thousands of CEOs running high growth companies. The trick to being great and lazy is to only work at the point of constraint and avoid all work that doesn't increase organizational capacity.
Lazy CEOs have a series of well developed tools to properly avoid this non-value work.
I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it. -Bill Gates. So, do you want to keep working hard? Or would you rather get busy being lazy?
The truth is that great and lazy CEOs know a secret when it comes to time management. Rather than spending a little time on a lot of things, the best CEOs spend most of their time eliminating the single biggest constraint to the growth of their business. They spend a lot of time diagnosing this constraint before taking action. This process is similar to looking for the kink in a garden hose so you can get the flow going again. These is no use trying to unkink the hose until you find the actual problem.
Depending on the nature of the constraint, they engage in fixing the kink in the hose using one of five different roles the
Learner
Architect
Coach
Engineer
Player
These form the archetype for great leadership. These are all high leverage roles that create a permanent improvement in the business.
This insight isn't just some theory either; it s derived directly from working with thousands of CEOs running high growth companies. The trick to being great and lazy is to only work at the point of constraint and avoid all work that doesn't increase organizational capacity.
Lazy CEOs have a series of well developed tools to properly avoid this non-value work.
I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it. -Bill Gates. So, do you want to keep working hard? Or would you rather get busy being lazy?
205 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2016
307 people are currently reading
1726 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 30, 2021
Great CEOs know how to leverage and economize their precious time by focusing on things that only they can and should, and according to the author, that means tackling the biggest constraint (analogized as removing a kink in a garden hose to allow the water to continue flowing) to company growth. This is why the title includes lazy, because it’s a lazy person who does the least amount of work, yet still reaps the most productive outcomes. They spend a lot of time diagnosing this constraint before taking action.
“Depending on the nature of the constraint, they engage in fixing the kink in the hose using one of five different roles the Learner, Architect, Coach, Engineer or Player that together form the archetype for great leadership. These are all high leverage roles that create a permanent improvement in the business.” This data comes from thousands of companies and CEO performance rather than the product of some contrived theory. “The trick to being great and lazy is to only work at the point of constraint and avoid all work that doesn't increase organizational capacity.”
There’s a chapter on each of the roles above going into depth and providing essential tools to leaders and aspiring CEOs everywhere!
I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it. -Bill Gates.
“Depending on the nature of the constraint, they engage in fixing the kink in the hose using one of five different roles the Learner, Architect, Coach, Engineer or Player that together form the archetype for great leadership. These are all high leverage roles that create a permanent improvement in the business.” This data comes from thousands of companies and CEO performance rather than the product of some contrived theory. “The trick to being great and lazy is to only work at the point of constraint and avoid all work that doesn't increase organizational capacity.”
There’s a chapter on each of the roles above going into depth and providing essential tools to leaders and aspiring CEOs everywhere!
I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it. -Bill Gates.
February 19, 2024
Valuable guidance on maximizing work time and on embracing a strategic thinking, Its relevance goes beyond CEOs to anyone with aspirations for a successful leadership career.
July 27, 2018
I enjoy reading this kind of "productivity porn" books on how to be a good manager but at this point I don't fool myself that they will actually help me in any significant way.
This one seems to be OK, but nothing I haven't seen written elsewhere.
The basic message: PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE.
The CEO focuses on the most important thing, tries to remove the biggest roadblocks and keeps an eye on the big picture.
A good and valid message overall, but (in my opinion), nothing especially deep.
Now, I think some of the detailed descriptions of the "hats" of a CEO (Learner, Architect, etc.) might be of more interest to people who are actually about to become CEOs, but from my point of view, I couldn't arouse too much interest in them.
A fine book if you haven't read a lot of books on being a good manager, but if you've read a few similar books I don't think you'll learn much new here.
This one seems to be OK, but nothing I haven't seen written elsewhere.
The basic message: PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE.
The CEO focuses on the most important thing, tries to remove the biggest roadblocks and keeps an eye on the big picture.
A good and valid message overall, but (in my opinion), nothing especially deep.
Now, I think some of the detailed descriptions of the "hats" of a CEO (Learner, Architect, etc.) might be of more interest to people who are actually about to become CEOs, but from my point of view, I couldn't arouse too much interest in them.
A fine book if you haven't read a lot of books on being a good manager, but if you've read a few similar books I don't think you'll learn much new here.
November 13, 2023
Too basic. It has some good points but could be summarised to not more than 10 pages.
April 18, 2022
Easy to listen to and filled with wisdom for any leader or employee looking to create a successful dynamic with their leader. The transition from solopreneur to CEO has many common pitfalls and this book does a great job at highlighting them and explaining what to look out for.
January 3, 2025
Insightful & Practical
Lazy CEO was an easy, quick read, full of practical tips on how to run a company more effectively by prioritising (and minimizing) your tasks.
Suitable for new & experienced CEO's alike. Highly recommend!
Lazy CEO was an easy, quick read, full of practical tips on how to run a company more effectively by prioritising (and minimizing) your tasks.
Suitable for new & experienced CEO's alike. Highly recommend!
October 11, 2017
Don't love the title but it has a number of good suggestions. it is a quick read and id recommend it
October 29, 2017
Very Good advice! Every executive should read this one...
November 19, 2023
Top de libro 9/10, muy concreto, sencillo y fácil de entender. Ideal para cualquier emprendedor o líder de algún grupo de personas en cualquier ambito.
December 3, 2023
Delegate. Do what you do best and only you can do.
May 16, 2024
very good book. straight to the point, actionable, concise. highly recommended
October 18, 2024
A lot of great information. Mostly applicable to large-medium size businesses more than small businesses, but still a lot of good information on management and operations.
December 26, 2024
Condensed and quick book on management and key tasks in a company. Medium level.
Covers basics of managing people, setting up processes, modes to operate as CEO/manager.
Covers basics of managing people, setting up processes, modes to operate as CEO/manager.
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February 2, 2025dnf
March 17, 2022
I just finished this book and wanted to say “thank you” to Jim Schleckser for writing it. I enjoyed the pace, structure, and content. The five hats model is a great framework and I particularly appreciated some of the very tactical ideas you shared (like the 70% and 80% rules for delegation and feedback.)
In a world full of experts and constant efforts to turn over the same ground on leadership and organizational growth, Schleckser manages to be refreshingly insightful and constructive. I think writing it directly to the CEO adds to its punch - even when talking basics.
I added the audio version to my written copy so I could hear it in the author’s own voice. This is one I’ll come back to.
In a world full of experts and constant efforts to turn over the same ground on leadership and organizational growth, Schleckser manages to be refreshingly insightful and constructive. I think writing it directly to the CEO adds to its punch - even when talking basics.
I added the audio version to my written copy so I could hear it in the author’s own voice. This is one I’ll come back to.
July 13, 2023
Schleckser's book is a great description of many of the principles you should work from to become an effective CEO. The different hats you want to have on in different situations, how you should always think about how to outsource the process you are working on, and how you want to be working in the strategic and systems building space.
November 30, 2023
A quick read on management now that I'm about to embark on a bigger role in my career. Love that the author divides leadership styles in five distinct ways, advising readers as to which ones they should be investing more time in, to produce the desired outcomes. I was piqued when he also referenced the Toyota Production System (TPS), something I was thought during my stint at Toyota!
October 16, 2016
Nice and easy read. The book is better than the title :-).
September 10, 2016
A quick easy read for any entrepreneurs. I know quite a few people who should pick this up and learn the roles of "player", "engineer" and "coach".
February 22, 2018
Good practical advice. Some simplicity as to the acronyms for 3 , 4 or 5 step programs and the examples sometimes are a bit simplistic.
November 30, 2019
Exceptional
Don't be lazy to pick up this book!!!!! Read it is the least you can do (for the lazy)....curious then you must read the book to know more.....
Don't be lazy to pick up this book!!!!! Read it is the least you can do (for the lazy)....curious then you must read the book to know more.....
August 20, 2023
Great book
Very thought provoking. Very easy to read. Sounds easy to duplicate. I want to be a Lazy CEO of my business.
Very thought provoking. Very easy to read. Sounds easy to duplicate. I want to be a Lazy CEO of my business.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews