HBR's 10 Must Reads for CEOs (with bonus article "Your Strategy Needs a Strategy" by Martin Reeves, Claire Love, and Philipp Tillmanns)

The CEO sets the vision, strategy, and tone of the organization, establishes priorities, anticipates and addresses challenges, champions and leads change efforts, sets people up for success, and manages risk. This collection of articles includes Your Strategy Needs a Strategy, Managing Your Innovation Portfolio, Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail, Reinventing Your Business Model, Leadership Is a Conversation, Strategic Intent, When Growth Stalls, The Secrets to Successful Strategy Execution, The Focused Leader, Managing Risks: A New Framework, 21st-Century Talent Spotting, and How CEOs Can Work with an Active Board.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2019
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

As CEO, you are the visionary, strategist, and guiding force behind your organization. You set the priorities, anticipate and address challenges, champion and drive change initiatives, nurture talent, and manage risks. While you may have a robust senior executive team and a highly competent board, the ultimate success of your organization hinges on your leadership.

If you want to excel in your role as a CEO, there are 10 essential articles that you must read. We have scoured hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles to curate the most valuable and insightful pieces for you. These articles will help you navigate the ever-changing global business landscape, tailor your company's strategy to the specific environment you operate in, attract, engage, and retain top talent, anticipate and address legislative and regulatory issues, sharpen your awareness of the tactical and soft skills required to lead effectively, adopt a founder's mindset and drive innovation, expand into new markets, and create next-generation solutions.

Here are the 10 articles that will empower you as a CEO:

1. "Your Strategy Needs a Strategy" by Martin Reeves, Claire Love, and Philipp Tillmanns: This article emphasizes the importance of having a clear and well-defined strategy that aligns with your organization's goals and values. It provides practical insights on how to develop and execute a successful strategy, including the role of vision, mission, and values in shaping your approach.

2. "Managing Your Innovation Portfolio" by Bansi Nagji and Geoff Tuff: In today's fast-paced business environment, innovation is crucial for survival and growth. This article offers valuable insights on how to manage your innovation portfolio effectively, including identifying and prioritizing new opportunities, assessing the risks and benefits of different initiatives, and developing a structured process for innovation management.

3. "Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail" by John P. Kotter: Change management is a challenging task that requires a strategic and systematic approach. This article provides valuable insights on why transformation efforts often fail and offers practical strategies for leading change successfully, including building a strong change management team, fostering a culture of change, and creating a clear vision for the future.

4. "Reinventing Your Business Model" by Mark W. Johnson, Clayton M. Christensen, and Henning Kagermann: The business world is constantly evolving, and companies must adapt to stay competitive. This article provides practical insights on how to reinvent your business model, including identifying new market opportunities, disrupting existing industries, and developing innovative products or services.

5. "Leadership Is a Conversation" by Boris Groysberg and Michael Slind: Effective leadership requires a deep understanding of the people you work with and a willingness to engage in meaningful conversations. This article offers valuable insights on how to build effective relationships with your team, board, and stakeholders, including active listening, empathy, and effective communication.

6. "Strategic Intent" by Gary Hamel and C.K. Prahalad: A clear and compelling strategic intent is essential for driving organizational success. This article provides valuable insights on how to develop and communicate a strategic intent that resonates with your team, board, and stakeholders, including the role of vision, mission, and values in shaping your strategic direction.

7. "When Growth Stalls" by Matthew S. Olson, Derek van Bever, and Seth Verry: Companies face various challenges when growth slows down or stagnates. This article offers valuable insights on how to diagnose and address growth stalls, including identifying the root causes of the problem, developing new growth strategies, and implementing effective change management initiatives.

8. "The Secrets to Successful Collaboration" by John P. Kotter and Thomas K. McKnight: Collaboration is a key ingredient for success in today's business world. This article provides valuable insights on how to build and sustain effective collaboration, including fostering a culture of trust, establishing clear goals and objectives, and developing effective communication and problem-solving skills.

9. "Building a High-Performance Culture" by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras: A high-performance culture is essential for achieving long-term success. This article provides valuable insights on how to build a high-performance culture, including identifying and aligning organizational values, developing a clear vision and mission, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

10. "The Art of the Possible" by Charles Koch and David Koch: This article offers a powerful message of optimism and resilience in the face of adversity. It provides valuable insights on how to overcome challenges and achieve your goals, including the importance of perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to take risks.

In conclusion, being a CEO is a demanding and challenging role that requires a combination of strategic thinking, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the business environment. By reading and applying the insights provided in these 10 articles, you can enhance your effectiveness as a CEO and drive your organization toward success.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 141 x 208 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633697157