How To Act Like CEO

Product Description

In the follow-up to her bestselling How to Think Like a CEO, #1 executive coach Debra Benton's work with top-level executives from AT&T, Colgate, Pepsi, Mobil Oil, N abisco, and American Express, and her interviews with 100 CEOs worldwide reveal:

* 10 "rules of the game" for managers
* Rules CEOs apply for everyday success
* Managerial pointers for readers on how to apply each rule in their professional lives

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #511099 in Books
* Published on: 2003-01-28
* Original language: English
* Number of items: 1
* Binding: Paperback
* 204 pages

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Praise for How to Act Like a CEO

"A wonderful blend of Dale Carnegie and the 10 Commandments."--Reuben Mark, Chairman, CEO and President, The Colgate Palmolive Company

"With this book, Debra Benton has uniquely leveraged her lifetime study of CEOs into an insightful, clear and compelling primer for aspiring executives."--Doug Conant, President, Nabisco Food Company

"An insightful tour d'horizon of how CEOs approach decision-making and leadership...this book demonstrates that although no two CEOs think alike, there are certain habits of mind and a disposition to decide and to act that most leaders have in common."--William Stavropoulos, CEO, The Dow Chemical Company

"A most insightful guide for those who yearn to run a major enterprise in this era of hypercompetition. Highly recommended for anyone with an eye towards great career success--especially the young and hungry go-getters who need Benton's advice more than they'll ever know."--Jeff Cunningham, Chairman of the Board, iLIFE.com

"Benton has managed to get some of the top people to share their insight and advice, and the result is a highly readable book that would benefit anyone trying to succeed in an organization today."--Solomon D. Trujillo, President, Chairman and CEO, US West, Inc.

About the Author

D.A. Benton founded Benton Management Resources in 1976 to provide executive development and career counseling. She has worked in seventeen countries and her numerous media appearances around the world have brought her wide acclaim. Her clients include AT&T, American Express, Pepsi, United Airlines, Nabisco, Mobil Oil, PricewaterhouseCoopers & Lybrand, and NASA. Benton is also the bestselling author of How to Think Like a CEO and Secrets of a CEO Coach.

Customer Reviews

Where is the beef?2
I did get one soundbite that I hope I can use in my life from this book, "Be yourself, unless you're a jerk". However, I got so tired of: be nice, have integrity, be an example, on page after page I was only able to make it through half of the book. All of that is important, but they covered that quite well in kindergarten. If you pick it up to read on the plane bring a backup book; you will need it.

No startling revelations1
This book is dull and does not unravel anything that the average person who can rise to the top cannot derive on its own - if you are just graduating from college, this may seem appropriate, if you've been around in the business world - seek other material. One reading suggestion, which is light and very simple, but a good reminder of what's required is the book by Lencioni: " The 5 temptations of a CEO" - worth an hour while waiting at the airport between flights.

Management Theory Lite3
The book presents itself as a semi-scholarly work, synthesizing interviews with 100 CEOs into a meaninful set of commandats for those that want to act like the big boss. On an academic level, this is fraught with peril - How do we know these are the right CEOs, and do they really articulate what makes them succeed?

Business books have a history of weak scholarship (think In Search of Excellence) but still can contain great ideas.

The 10 less than profound results:
1 - Be Yourself, Unless You're a Jerk
2 - See Around Corners
3 - Make Dust or Eat Dust
4 - Make the Big Play
5 - Keep Good Company
6 - Be the Number One Fund Raiser and Protecter
7 - Act Like a CEO When You Don't Feel Like It
8 - Evangelize the World
9 - Go Big or Go Home
10 - Cut Through the Junk

All this is good advice, but did you need to ask 100 CEOs to come up with it?

Ultimately, the book resides in my restroom. It's good for a couple minutes a day of reminding me what I should be doing, but nothing that requires hours of in depth study. It's a light read, but not really the blueprint to the executive suite.