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Executive Intelligence: What All Great Leaders Have – A Research-Based Guide to Identifying Standout Performers
The final word on what traits make for highly successful managers—and a detailed explanation of how to identify potential standout performers. Executive Intelligence is about the substance behind great leadership. Inspired by the work of Peter Drucker and Jim Collins, Justin Menkes set out to isolate the qualities that make for the 'right' people. Drawing on his background in psychology and bolstered by interviews with accomplished CEOs, Menkes paints the portrait of the ideal executive. In a sense, Menkes's work reveals an executive IQ—the cognitive skills necessary in order to excel in senior management positions. Star leaders readily differentiate primary priorities from secondary concerns; they identify flawed assumptions; they anticipate the different needs of various stakeholders and how they might conflict with one another; and they recognise the underlying agendas of individuals in complex exchanges. Weaving together research, interviews and the results of his own proprietary testing, Menkes exposes one of the great fallacies of corporate life, that hiring and promotion are conducted on a systematic or scientific basis that allows the most accomplished to rise to their levels of optimal responsibility. Finally, Menkes is a passionate advocate for finding and employing the most talented people, especially those who may have been held back by external assumptions.
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First published November 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 31, 2015
The second half seemed to flow better than the first half. Overall it's an enjoyable read with good quotes and anecdotes to support the author's ideas. I liked his debunking of outdated, faddish, silly leadership assumptions (e.g. charismatic style as important for good leadership). In fact he dismisses style altogether in favor of IQ as determining factor of success.
Some ideas presented seem to suffer from outcome bias. Stories of "smart" approaches seem contradictory at times; in one case defying others proves to be vain whereas in other cases the defiant leader is proven smarter than his peers. These type assessments are only obvious in retrospect. To the author's credit, he does acknowledge this point.
Some ideas presented seem to suffer from outcome bias. Stories of "smart" approaches seem contradictory at times; in one case defying others proves to be vain whereas in other cases the defiant leader is proven smarter than his peers. These type assessments are only obvious in retrospect. To the author's credit, he does acknowledge this point.
July 8, 2019
Solid, informative read on how Spencer Stuart thinks about its executive search process. Without interest in this process specifically, I don’t think huge incremental value to other articles and books that emphasize the importance of EQ in leadership.
June 14, 2017
A very formative and helpful read that I was lucky to receive from my CEO early in my consulting career. I'm surprised so few have read and rated it.
July 27, 2008
Executive Intelligence: What All Great Leaders Have
Justin Menkes
Collins
In this volume, Justin Mendes explains that Executive Intelligence(tm) (or ExI) "is the single biggest driver of executive performance" and claims that it is overlooked by current assessment practices. Through his work with some of the most effective executives in the world, Menkes, co-founder of Executive Intelligence Group, sought to understand the qualities of star performers. He found that success could be attributed to intelligence but not to, for example, the academic IQ required for admission into top universities. Instead, Menkes has identified specific patterns of "intelligent executive behavior." He distilled this behavioral pattern of success and, over three years, designed an assessment methodology to measure it. This is the Executive Intelligence Evaluation.
What does this evaluation involve? I visited executiveintelligence.com and located this explanation: "Structured as a one-on-one interview, the Executive Intelligence Evaluation quantifies and benchmarks an executive on the unique cognitive skills that are essential for leadership excellence. Instead of simply asking an executive about their capabilities, the methodology requires a candidate to demonstrate their skills. To accomplish this, the ExI Evaluation utilizes job relevant scenarios that necessitate: decision making and information gathering, managing the activities of others, and evaluating/adapting one's own thinking and behavior - in other words, the central responsibilities of any executive. What's more, a candidate's capabilities are evaluated in the real-time verbal format in which they must be demonstrated on the job. The interview takes about one-and-a-half hours and is conducted by a highly trained expert. Scores have been shown to have no adverse impact in terms of race, gender, language, or country of origin."
Justin Menkes
Collins
In this volume, Justin Mendes explains that Executive Intelligence(tm) (or ExI) "is the single biggest driver of executive performance" and claims that it is overlooked by current assessment practices. Through his work with some of the most effective executives in the world, Menkes, co-founder of Executive Intelligence Group, sought to understand the qualities of star performers. He found that success could be attributed to intelligence but not to, for example, the academic IQ required for admission into top universities. Instead, Menkes has identified specific patterns of "intelligent executive behavior." He distilled this behavioral pattern of success and, over three years, designed an assessment methodology to measure it. This is the Executive Intelligence Evaluation.
What does this evaluation involve? I visited executiveintelligence.com and located this explanation: "Structured as a one-on-one interview, the Executive Intelligence Evaluation quantifies and benchmarks an executive on the unique cognitive skills that are essential for leadership excellence. Instead of simply asking an executive about their capabilities, the methodology requires a candidate to demonstrate their skills. To accomplish this, the ExI Evaluation utilizes job relevant scenarios that necessitate: decision making and information gathering, managing the activities of others, and evaluating/adapting one's own thinking and behavior - in other words, the central responsibilities of any executive. What's more, a candidate's capabilities are evaluated in the real-time verbal format in which they must be demonstrated on the job. The interview takes about one-and-a-half hours and is conducted by a highly trained expert. Scores have been shown to have no adverse impact in terms of race, gender, language, or country of origin."
September 1, 2012
This book discusses what's necessary to be successful in large business organizations, which the author terms "Executive Intelligence." He boils it down to 1) being able to define the real problems and high priority issues, 2) being able to work with/through others, understanding their positions, agendas, and likely reaction, and 3) improve/adapt oneself. It sounds simple, but he goes into details and shows a rational reader that the level most people operate falls far short.
The book is solid on examples, particularly the negative kind, and discusses why other management trends fall short. He also discusses a way to measure Executive Intelligence. It feels like the book is mainly a vehicle for his consultancy, which does the interview-based measurement. He does brings some rigor to his arguments, as he did his PhD dissertation on this topic. Overall, the book is of better value than the loads of management theory books, and provides managers a useful checklist to go through before making any major decisions.
The book is solid on examples, particularly the negative kind, and discusses why other management trends fall short. He also discusses a way to measure Executive Intelligence. It feels like the book is mainly a vehicle for his consultancy, which does the interview-based measurement. He does brings some rigor to his arguments, as he did his PhD dissertation on this topic. Overall, the book is of better value than the loads of management theory books, and provides managers a useful checklist to go through before making any major decisions.
June 4, 2015
In construct, content and face validity, Ex-I comes up trumps far ahead of IQ,PBI and EI tests in the on-demand work environment. Like other co-important aptitudes (definitely not co-equal), it can be learned, but for the executive to properly get a handle on it, he/she must cultivate a deliberate and continuous practice in critical thinking. The moment this is jettisoned for the i-know-it-all rote knowledge of supposed star performers, then decay sets in. Ex-I is far beyond a regurgitation of facts or methods that worked in the past, but a careful application of the knowledge learned from such facts in the resolution of every day work challenges.
Great book. Well researched.
Great book. Well researched.
January 31, 2015
This is the book that made me want to be a recruiter.
Two executives have the same basic experience history...yet one leads a company to enormous success and one a huge belly flop. What's the difference? This book has that answer.
Two executives have the same basic experience history...yet one leads a company to enormous success and one a huge belly flop. What's the difference? This book has that answer.
May 6, 2016
Aptitudes of exceptional leaders:
Tasks--define a problem, prioritize, identify knowns and unknowns, decision-making
Others--recognize agendas, understand perspectives, anticipate emotional reactions
Self--identify personal mistakes, seek constructive criticism, adjust own behavior
Tasks--define a problem, prioritize, identify knowns and unknowns, decision-making
Others--recognize agendas, understand perspectives, anticipate emotional reactions
Self--identify personal mistakes, seek constructive criticism, adjust own behavior
April 2, 2009
Kind of like Emotional Intelligence but related to a business environment. Great advice for people assimilating into leadership positions
February 5, 2013
It was a good book, some interesting points, nothing completely earth shattering but some good points. Not to heavy on the case studies but good academic backing. Good read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews