Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will: Revised Edition

by Noel M. Tichy, Stratford Sherman

The Best Analysis of Jack Welch's GE, Now Freshly RevisedA business classic -- now completely revised -- hailed as the unofficial GELeadership handbook.

Completely revised, with two new chapters by the authors, an added chapter-length interview with Jack Welch, plus the complete set of Welch's GE annual letters to shareholders, this title remains the classic CASE STUDY of how Welch transformed GE from a corporate dinosaur into one of the nimblest, most successful corporations in the world, and provides a useful handbook for effecting change in your business and your life.

Since Welch became its CEO in 1981, GE has become one of the most successful companies of the late 20th century, increasing its market value from $13 billion to over $400 billion. Welch has been hailed by "60 Minutes" as the best executive in the world. This success can be attributed in large part to Jack Welch, GE's dynamic CEO who transformed the company from a bureaucratic behemoth into a fierce competitor in the global marketplace.

Among the many books that have been written about GE, Control Your Destiny stands out. Its authors are uniquely qualified to explain Welch's transformation of GE and to explain the leadership lessons it reveals. Noel Tichy ran GE's Crotonville school during the start of the Welch era, while Stratford Sherman covered GE for Fortune magazine. Together, they study GE with a remarkable blend of inside knowledge and clear-eyed objectivity. Their narrative -- studied at business schools nationwide -- is extraordinarily thorough, thoughtful, and rich in insight.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Management, Nonfiction, Buisness, Biography, Self Help

704 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Noel M. Tichy is an American management consultant, author and educator. He has co-authored, edited or contributed to over 30 books.

Reviews

[James Pritchert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the last few years of Jack Welch's tenure as CEO of GE and the reference are a bit dated. However, that does not detract from the themes of the book and the very sound management principles espoused by Jack. I met the author, Noel Tichy a few years ago and he is a brilliant management guru. I also read Jack Welch's book "Winning" some time ago and that was also an eye opener with respect to management at all levels. Jack focuses on the big picture with respect to corporate management. This book is a compendium of Welch management initiatives both successes and failures. Both of these yield learning and understanding if you are open to the experience and strong enough to live through them. One could not go wrong in spending some time with this book and carefully looking at what it says with regards to senior management.

[Inggita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heheh i have corrected the title so it's no longer inaccurate (who is the dufus in Amazon adding the word "own" in there - it's a quote from Jack's mom - have some respect! only Barnes & Noble got it right). i learned about the kind of thoughts and attitudes Jack Welch has that drive him to lead GE during different cycles/challenges - because times change, the challenges change, the world changed totally the day he stepped down (Sep 7, just the weekend before September 11th) - but there are lessons to be gleaned from his reign that leaders can use to deal with tough calls - especially useful is the "Timeline" at the back of the book that describes what's happening in the world and how it affected the company and how Jack dealt with it. BTW the copy of this book was signed by Jack Welch during his visit to Jakarta in Sep 30, 1999. It's one thing to read about the man, and to meet him in person. Everyone can see how passionately he is about people, when he inquired about me and where i went to school after learning that i was responsible for the volunteer pitch i taped on the wall. then during speech/cocktail time he mentioned to the guests that "what inggita wrote is better than the works of his ad agency back in NY" i wish i had that on videotape. and hope that everyone in that room who were or later became leaders can still remember that evening and learn first hand from the guy who coined the term "energizing" your teams.

[Carrie]

WOW!!! LOVED AND STILL READ THIS OVER THREE TIMES

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read company profile for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs.

[M. Labadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Within the towering halls of massive firms—GE being a standout example—a quiet, almost hypnotic ethos takes root. Workers are trained to look upward, endlessly executing the “dance” that secures a nod, a smile, or the prized approval of senior leaders. The refrain that reverberates down the corridors is unmistakable: your advancement depends on how adeptly you can satisfy those at the top. In effect, this book simply instructs you on how to master those dances so that GE’s senior management will favor you.

[Lamec Mariita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of the book itself is very inspiring. I highly recommend this business classic to all revolutionaries of the new century. The book is broken down into three "acts" which recount the years of Jack Welch - when and how he was made the CEO with GE, the early years of layoffs, the early resistance to his ideas, reorganization of GE, the need for globalization, and eventual acceptance of his ideas as he empowered GE's employees. It was a very good read.

[Jason Wicky Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up this book 5 years ago, I could not finish it. I thought it was too tedious to read and too boring.

But when I pick up the book again in 2024, the book became very interesting to me. It is good especially for someone who is in a big firm and wants to know more about how to manage companies. The principles in this book can actually withstood the tests of time. I would put it at around 4.5 stars.

[Mary Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not what I expected, though it was a good look at the history and development of GE it could have used a more in depth look at the development of the theories used rather than just a chronology of their application.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

GE cheerleading.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can take charge of your life as well as your role within a company. You can make a difference and guide your company for good, growth, change.

[Cristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

good general business read

[Samir Dhond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful how people can change things in a company. You must read. I have drawn a lot of inspiration just from the title itself.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was included in my book: The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. www.100bestbiz.com

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

good business read esp some principles laid out like facing reality etc

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great professional read....

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Met Tichy! Inspired to finish this leadership story.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, especially as you are formulating your future and the strategy to achieve your goals.