Doug DavidoffI write this en route to Seattle for a presentation to a group of CEOs. While flying, I’ve had the chance to read a fascinating book, Success Built to Last, by the co-author of Built to Last, Jerry Porras.
Late in the book (talking about what the authors refer to as ActionStyles), they tell a story about Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel (and an author himself). It was a story I knew already, but it was a great reminder. I’d like to share it with you.
The story takes place when Intel and Grove were struggling over the decision of what to do when Intel’s core business at the time, memory chips, was deteriorating.
“What if things continued to get much worse and the board got rid of him? Grove speculated. [Gordon] Moore [co-founder of Intel] said the board would undoubtedly bring a new person in who would have the courage as an outsider to do what few CEOs who are set in their jobs would be willing to do: Dump the core business.”
If you were brand new to your business (or your job) what would you do differently? What would you stop doing? What would you start doing? Why aren’t you doing it now?
I know I’m going to lose sleep thinking about this tonight.