The Four Disciplines of Execution

Abridged
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Narrator: Stephen R. Covey
Genres: Business, Self-help, Personal Development, Health, Body & Mind
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: October 2007
Length: 4 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 3/5
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA

Overview

Focus on the Critical

In business, survival depends on meeting objectives. Most failures in organizations today are not the result of a lack of smarts, they are caused by a lack of execution -- things just don't get done. Defining a clear strategy and setting goals is one thing, sticking to strategy and meeting those goals is quite another. The 4 Disciplines of Execution teaches how to focus on your top priorities and get the critical things accomplished. Whether you are a member of a team, lead a team, or lead an entire organization, this workshop will equip you to deliver on your top priorities consistently.


What You'll Learn

Four universal business disciplines that deliver results again and again:

a. Focus on the Wildly Important
b. Create a Compelling Scoreboard
c. Translate Lofty Goals into Specific Actions
d. Hold Each Other Accountable -- All of the Time


Each discipline includes a business principle, old thinking, new thinking, and a metaphor that further clarifies the learning. A bonus section, "Implementing the Disciplines," supported by a special resource CD, gives critical information about activating the power of the 4 Disciplines in your organization.

Reviews (6)

Disappointing

Written by Anonymous on November 5th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 1/5

The principles were solid but this is not new information. The entire presentation was rather trite and there are no “wow” moments. This is would be good for a young student just starting to climb the corporate ladder.

The Four Disciplines of Execution

Written by Gary Todd on March 28th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I bought this for work after listening in my car on the way to and from. I think there are some great principals in this writing, but I'm not sure that there is enough detail to put to real use. The jury's still out from that aspect. It would be better live as a pupil or in the audience, but again, I think great principals are there.

WOW!

Written by Anonymous on February 16th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

A definite paradigm shift from time management to ENERGY MANAGEMENT! This book is very timely and has the potential to help a lot of people (especially BUSY people)

Four Disciplines of Execution

Written by Anonymous on February 2nd, 2006

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Rehash of 7 habits, or 8 habits, or however many habits there are now. Good if you haven't heard his other stuff, but start with 7 habits and you may not need this one.

Thought Provoking

Written by Allen Washburn on August 11th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I must say this selection was nicely laid out and full of thought provoking ideas. The delivery was excellent and the oratory was pleasant. I would recommend this reading to anyone looking for help in following through with goals. The only negative to this selection were the long sections, which made reviewing the information within difficult.

Four Disciplines of Execution

Written by Roy Godwin on August 3rd, 2005

  • Book Rating: 2/5

After having listened to his book Focus, this book was somewhat of a let down for me. I was expecting more. It was similar to a movie sequel, never as good as the first.

Author Details

Author Details

Covey, Stephen R.

"Stephen R. Covey is founder and chairman of the Covey Leadership Center, a 200-plus member international firm whose mission is to empower people and organizations to significantly increase their performance capability in order to achieve worthwhile purposes through understanding and living principle-centered leadership. He is also founder of The Institute for Principle Centered Leadership, a non-profit research group dedicated to transforming education and improving the quality of community life.

Dr. Covey has taught leadership principles and management skills for more than 25 years to leaders in business, government, and education. His consulting portfolio contains more than 150 of the Fortune 500 companies, as well as thousands of mid-sized and smaller organizations.

Recent awards include the first Thomas More College Medallion for continued service to humanity (1990), the Utah Symphony 50th Anniversary Award for outstanding national and international contributions (1990), and the McFeely Award from the International Management Council for significant contributions to management and education (1991).

His work in principle-centered leadership has been adopted by thousands of organizations as a foundational inside-out approach to improving quality, leadership, innovation, trust, teamwork, customer-focused service, organizational alignment, and many other strategic corporate initiatives. This approach to building and sustaining high trust cultures ultimately focuses on the relationship between all four levels of organizations?personal, interpersonal, managerial, and organizational.

Covey's work as an author, keynote speaker, teacher, consultant, television and radio guest, and executive mentor has created international interest in applying principle-centered leadership to many personal, organizational, and societal issues.

Dr. Covey is the author of several books and numerous articles on leadership, personal and organizational effectiveness, and family and interpersonal relationships. His book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, was number one on the New York Times Bestseller List with more than 1.5 million copies sold. The book is being published in over 20 countries and in a dozen languages, including Japanese, German, French, Chinese and Spanish. His latest book is Principle-Centered Leadership. His leadership advisory magazine, Executive Excellence, is in its eighth year of publication.

Stephen Covey received an MBA from Harvard and a doctorate from Brigham Young University, where he was Professor of Organizational Behavior and Business Management. He has served as an officer and board member of several organizations. "