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The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable (J-B Lencioni Series Book 31) Kindle Edition
A gripping tale that reveals what occupies the minds of the world’s best business leaders
As CEO, most everything that Rich O'Connor did had something to do with at least one of the four disciplines on his famed "yellow sheet." Some of the firm's executives joked that he was obsessed with it.
Interestingly, only a handful of people knew what was on that sheet, and so it remained something of a mystery. Which was okay with Rich, because no one really needed to understand it, other than him. He certainly never suspected that it would become the blueprint of an employee's plan to destroy the firm.
In this stunning follow-up to his best-selling book, The Five Temptations of a CEO, Patrick Lencioni offers up another leadership fable that's every bit as compelling and illuminating as its predecessor.
This time, Lencioni's focus is on a leader's crucial role in building a healthy organization - an often overlooked but essential element of business life that is the linchpin of sustained success.
Readers are treated to a story of corporate intrigue as Rich O'Connor, fictional CEO of technology consulting company Telegraph Partners, faces a leadership challenge so great that it threatens to topple his company, his career and everything he holds true about what makes a leader truly exceptional.
In the story's telling, Lencioni deftly helps his readers understand the disarming simplicity and power of creating a healthy organization and reveals four key disciplines that they can follow to achieve it.
In The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, Lencioni delivers an utterly gripping tale with a powerful and memorable message for all who strive to be remarkable leaders.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherJossey-Bass
- Publication dateFebruary 7, 2008
- File size981 KB
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From the brand
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Patrick Lencioni is the pioneer of the organizational health movement and the author of 13 bestselling books, including, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Advantage, and The Ideal Team Player. For the past 25 years, Pat and his firm, The Table Group, have provided leaders with products and services to make their organizations more effective, their teams more cohesive, and their employees more fulfilled.
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From the Publisher
THE FOUR DISCIPLINES OF A HEALTHY ORGANIZATION
DISCIPLINE #1: BUILD AND MAINTAIN A COHESIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
The first and most critical step in a healthy organization is creating a cohesive leadership team that is committed to do the ongoing work of developing and maintaining a high-performing team and mastering the five behaviors outlined in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
DISCIPLINE #2: CREATE ORGANIZATIONAL CLARITY
Creating clarity at the executive level is essential to building and maintaining a healthy organization. There are six simple but critical questions that need to be answered, eliminating all discrepancies among team members.
DISCIPLINE #3: OVERCOMMUNICATE ORGANIZATIONAL CLARITY
Once a leadership team has become cohesive and established clarity around the six critical questions, they need to communicate the answers to employees over and over again. There are specific communication strategies the leadership team can employ to ensure that messaging is consistent and absorbed by employees.
DISCIPLINE #4: REINFORCE ORGANIZATIONAL CLARITY THROUGH HUMAN SYSTEMS
For an organization to be healthy, organizational clarity (the six critical questions) must become embedded into the fabric of the organization. Systems in the following areas need to tie to the six questions: Recruiting and hiring, managing performance, compensation and rewards and real-time recognition.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
From Booklist
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Review
"This is a wonderful book--a compelling story with a significant message for executives. The lessons here are substantial, and the style of writing is succinct, thorough, and very entertaining." (David S. Pottruck, president & co-CEO, The Charles Schwab Corporation)
"Since implementing these ideas within our company, I've seen morale and productivity increase dramatically. Lencioni encourages us as managers to deal with human issues that are not quickly quantifiable in a spreadsheet or a quarterly report." (Glenn Kiser, vice president and general manager, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Digital LTD.LLC)
"Another great page-turner from Lencioni! As fun to read as it is insightful." (John Donahoe, worldwide managing director, Bain & Company)
"Pat's formula, while elegantly simple, has profound implications for leaders in all sectors. It's right on the mark." (Paula VanNess, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America)
"The four disciplines are the foundation of my company and should be required reading for all start-up ventures." (Mark Weidick, president and CEO, Cymerc Exchange, Inc.)
"This is a powerful model for any organization, large or small. Lencioni knows his stuff." (Mark Hoffman, chairman & CEO, Commerce One)
From the Inside Flap
As CEO, most everything that Rich O'Connor did had something to do with at least one of the four disciplines on his famed "yellow sheet." Some of the firm's executives joked that he was obsessed with it. Interestingly, only a handful of people actually knew what was on that sheet, and so it remained something of a mystery. Which was okay with Rich, because no one really needed to understand it, other than him. He certainly never suspected that it would become the blueprint of an employee's plan to destroy the firm.
In this stunning follow-up to his best-selling book, The Five Temptations of a CEO, Patrick Lencioni offers up another leadership fable that's every bit as compelling and illuminating as its predecessor.
This time, Lencioni's focus is on a leader's crucial role in building a healthy organization―an often overlooked but essential element of business life that is the linchpin of sustained success.
Readers are treated to a story of corporate intrigue as Rich O'Connor, fictional CEO of technology consulting company Telegraph Partners, faces a leadership challenge so great that it that threatens to topple his company, his career and everything he holds true about what makes a leader.
In the story's telling, Lencioni deftly helps his readers understand the disarming simplicity and power of creating a healthy organization, and reveals four key disciplines that they can follow to achieve it.
Once again, Lencioni delivers an utterly gripping tale with a powerful and memorable message for all who strive to be extraordinary leaders.
From the Back Cover
PRAISE FOR OBSESSIONS
"Another homerun by Lencioni! This will be the first book we give to the thousands of executives who take part in our program."
―Verne Harnish, founder, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization; CEO, Gazelles, Inc.
"This is a wonderful book―a compelling story with a significant message for executives. The lessons here are substantial, and the style of writing is succint, thorough, and very entertaining."
―David S. Pottruck, president & co-CEO, The Charles Schwab Corporation; coauthor, Clicks and Mortar
"Since implementing these ideas within our company, I've seen morale and productivity increase dramatically. Lencioni encourages us as managers to deal with human issues that are not quickly quantifiable in a spreadsheet or a quarterly report."
―Glenn Kiser, vice president and general manager, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Digital LTD.LLC
"Another great page-turner from Lencioni! As fun to read as it is insightful.:
―John J. Donahoe, worldwide managing director, Bain & Company, Inc.
"Pat's formula, while elegantly simple, has profound implications for leaders in all sectors. It's right on the mark."
―Paul Van Ness, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
"This is a powerful model for any organization, large or small. Lencioni knows his stuff."
―Mark Hoffman, chairman & CEO, Commerce One
About the Author
PATRICK M. LENCIONI is founder and president of The Table Group, a management consulting firm specializing in executive team development and organizational health. As a consultant and keynote speaker, he has worked with thousands of senior executives and their teams in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high-tech startups to universities and nonprofits. Lencioni is the author 11 bestselling books, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage.
To learn more about Patrick, and the products and services offered by his firm, The Table Group, please visit www.tablegroup.com.
Product details
- ASIN : B003WUYQOQ
- Publisher : Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (February 7, 2008)
- Publication date : February 7, 2008
- Language : English
- File size : 981 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 199 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #194,595 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #136 in Business Teams
- #228 in Motivational Business Management
- #482 in Business Leadership
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Patrick Lencioni is founder and president of The Table Group, a firm dedicated to helping leaders improve their organizations’ health since 1997. His principles have been embraced by leaders around the world and adopted by organizations of virtually every kind including multinational corporations, entrepreneurial ventures, professional sports teams, the military, nonprofits, schools, and churches.
Lencioni is the author of ten business books with over three million copies sold worldwide. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Bloomberg Businessweek, and USA Today.
Prior to founding The Table Group, Lencioni served on the executive team at Sybase, Inc. He started his career at Bain & Company and later worked at Oracle Corporation.
Lencioni lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and their four sons.
To learn more about Patrick and The Table Group, please visit www.tablegroup.com.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and easy to read. They describe it as an enjoyable, well-written read that explains essential principles. The content is valuable for leaders of teams and helps identify priorities. However, opinions differ on the story quality - some find it relatable and informative, while others feel it's contrived and not true.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book's insights valuable. It explains the importance of organizational health and provides compelling stories to illustrate topics. The author sums up the four obsessions in an engaging way, making the heart of the message clear. The lessons are true and the potential outcomes are demonstrated. Overall, readers appreciate the actionable content and stories.
"...out of the KISS realms and as things from this realm are they are potent reminders to not complicate the art of leadership...." Read more
"Great, quick read with real-world applicability...." Read more
"...or "magic pill" related in this book, there is a huge opportunity for the leader to evaluate his/her own organizational health, persona leadership..." Read more
"...it clearly state and explain each discipline, but it also gave clear examples and samples of how to implement these values and strategies within..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the good storyline and leadership principles. The author's works are entertaining and well-presented. Overall, readers consider it a great quality book that is a must-read for both seasoned and new managers.
"...I enjoyed the story and the reminders; it's a quick and easy read, probably something one could cover on a day trip to a clients office on a plane..." Read more
"Great, quick read with real-world applicability...." Read more
"...The book was enjoyable to read because the message wasn't hindered by overcomplicated words and ideas...." Read more
"Amazing book, must read" Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They appreciate the simple points and tools that can be applied easily. The book is well-written and summarized at the end. Readers also like the story format and the four principles.
"...I enjoyed the story and the reminders; it's a quick and easy read, probably something one could cover on a day trip to a clients office on a plane..." Read more
"Great, quick read with real-world applicability...." Read more
"...read nearly everything in the series and really enjoy the format, ease of reading, and the writer's style...." Read more
"...i have ever seen, i felt fairly relaxed as i relished the jolly welcoming font he used in this book, i liked how he broke up the paragraphs so that..." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for leaders and managers. It provides valuable insights into building healthy, productive teams that ensure organizational success. The stories are relatable and easy to read, providing valuable insights that inspire people at all levels. Overall, it helps them drive business more effectively.
"...The four disciplines are: Build and Maintain a Cohesive Leadership Team; Create Organizational Clarity; Over-Communicate Organizational Clarity; and..." Read more
"...Easy, quick read with salient points so people can drive business more effectively." Read more
"...at all levels in the organization because it has good pieces for everyone at all levels...." Read more
"...of the interpersonal communication and executive team building to ensure organizational success...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the story. Some find it a good example of what it takes to be an effective leader, while others feel it's contrived and lacking realism. They also mention there is too much detail and superfluous information in the story.
"This book is a fairly decent fable on running a business...." Read more
"...was the fact that this was a "leadership fable," so the story was not actually true...." Read more
"The book is basically a fictional story of two kinds of organizations; one being healthy and the other unhealthy...." Read more
"...At times, I struggle d following the fable. However, it all started to make sense towards the end of the book." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2025Great, quick read with real-world applicability. I’d suggest reading with a notebook close by to jot down ideas and ways you can adapt your leadership today! I’ll be referring back to this as often as I look back on 5 Dysfunctions of a Team!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2012I was caught up with the genre of this series of books for the "5 Dysfunctions of a Team." I have read nearly everything in the series and really enjoy the format, ease of reading, and the writer's style.
As a leader of a church, I am always looking to improve my effectiveness to oversee an organization. Not all lessons from the "business world" apply perfectly, but I have found that even in the cases where there is no direct correlation, it is good to understand how those in the business world think. Beyond that, the principles that Lencioni communicates can usually be adapted to my particular context.
What drew me to this book was the emphasis on the role of the senior leader in a company. The fable involves how the CEO interacts with his management team and how, in the most successful companies, there is a dogged determination to remain committed to the "most" important things. A CEO could become involved in a number of aspects of company operations; however, he is most effective in developing his senior leadership team, bringing clarity of purpose (vision) in every decision and direction, communicating that vision/direction "ad nauseum," and reinforcing the clarity through the human systems of the organization.
Now I did not just share any new insights or upend some popular "B School" teaching; rather, I just shared what Lencioni reinforced throughout the book. A senior leader who focuses on these aspects of the organization can allow his senior leadership to carry out the task in the most effective way for their particular area of responsibility.
While there is no "new" information or "magic pill" related in this book, there is a huge opportunity for the leader to evaluate his/her own organizational health, persona leadership effectiveness, and to make adjustments accordingly.
I recommend the book highly to all leaders who are responsible for "shepherding" the vision and overseeing the direction of an organization. If you ever wanted "permission" to pull back from for the intricacies of the details and focus on what you do best...this is the book for you.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2011This book took me on an insightful exploration of the principle foundations of leadership that a company used towards its success. It highlighted and reinforced the core disciplines in establishing and maintaining a successful company from the perspective of the leader.
The book was enjoyable to read because the message wasn't hindered by overcomplicated words and ideas. Each of the four disciplines was reiterated throughout the text in different ways. Because of this, people who learn through narrative, example and explanation, or definition will all be able to find this book useful and informative.
The majority of the book is a narrative about two competing firms, Telegraph and Greenwich. The author does a good job of describing the culture of the companies and the roles of the employees so that readers are able to identify with the organizations and the people in them. There is a relatable employee or situation in this book for any reader. The latter part of the book is a more structured look at the principles. I found this to be very helpful because not only did it clearly state and explain each discipline, but it also gave clear examples and samples of how to implement these values and strategies within your own team. Implementation is only the first part of the process. Full integration and success takes some restructuring, time, cooperation, and effort on everyone's part. The book emphasizes this, but doesn't necessarily lay out the process for the reader. So, if you are looking for a start to finish example of the process of reevaluation and the restructuring of an organization's values, mission, strategies, and beliefs, this book won't have quite enough information for that.
The only part of the book that I found to be a bit uninspiring was the fact that this was a "leadership fable," so the story was not actually true. Although I still learned of the disciplines and witnessed them in action, I feel that this book would have a little more power if this had been an example of real companies.
I found this book to be an interesting approach to leadership. It definitely gets your mind thinking about the improvements that your company could benefit from, and it makes you proud of the things that you're already doing.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020When I read through a good portion of the reviews of this book, something I always do prior to offering my own review, I see that many folks either directly or indirectly reference the 'story' offered in the beginning of the book; either because it was found distracting in some way or because it provided a landscape from which to mine or connect to the principles of the book's message. The book's message is most definitely one out of the KISS realms and as things from this realm are they are potent reminders to not complicate the art of leadership. I enjoyed the story and the reminders; it's a quick and easy read, probably something one could cover on a day trip to a clients office on a plane and through the airport. It's also worth the read, especially if you find a good story useful for connecting with a message as I know I do.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024Amazing book, must read
- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024The author’s use of story to illustrate key points creates so much clarity that I came away with a few powerful concepts I can implement immediately.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024The author does a good job summarizing the Four Obsessions. At times, I struggle d following the fable. However, it all started to make sense towards the end of the book.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024The lessons are true. Halfway through the book, I was yet to conceptualise the central theme and message. I kept turning the page, until about 50% into the read, when all fits together.
Top reviews from other countries
- cristinaReviewed in Canada on July 14, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Our culture and why it works- I LIKeD reading this tiny book
A very concise book with mise-en-scene scenarios that you can easily rely on and read in one night! Bottom line the atmosphere in an org comes through culture and the latter is built by drilling the reasons why the company exists in the first place; that’s how the acolytes become one (company).
- ragu nathanReviewed in India on June 21, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on management
Very good read on management goals and values . The model described here is useful for any executive who strives for improvement.
- DandroidReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Insight about success principles
Lencioni tells a fictional story that is so realistic, anyone can relate to it. In fact, most of us will see characteristics of the people in the story in ourselves.This metaphoric prose, is one of the best ways to create personal motivation for change. Most of us have had more than one experience where our own zeal for a powerful concept has fallen on deaf ears as people resist our ideas. We also react this way when we feel others are forcing an idea for personal improvement on us as well. Lencioni avoids this human response by providing a journey through the eyes of others that makes change feel wholesome and beneficial.
It is simple and compelling and should be required reading for all managers.
- pt33Reviewed in India on April 23, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing !!
God’s grace that I came across this life changing book and the author, everyone in leadership role should read author’s books !!
- RolandReviewed in Canada on October 13, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Great learning for CEOs
Great for CEOs once again! All books tie together to make an easy guide on how to run a successful company!