HOT SEAT: HARD-WON LESSONS IN CHALLENGING TIMES Paperback – 3 March 2022

A hot new book that stunned, surprised & deeply educated me.Unlike 99% of business books are about winners/winning, this book is about 'losing/being a loser' (as claimed by Jeff). I think he is too hard on himself.What's great?- The HARD, GUT Wrenching story of what it takes to INHERIT a job vacated by the world's (erstwhile) most respected & followed leader - Jack Welch. (As will be the story of successors of Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs).- How horrible luck & circumstances can knock you out & what it takes to survive. Jeff's 1st day at work was Sept 10, 2001 :(- Dealing with false expectations. "I became CEO of a Company where perception didn't equal reality".- Dealing with horrific mindsets. Jack Welch didn't let Jeff buy a Company in Silicon Valley coz 'people are crazy out there'.- The passion of a man to get the Company logo 'tattooed on his hip'!! (Would you do that?)- AMAZING chapters on operations - how Big things get done on Big companies!- A lot of self-introspection. This book takes the world record of the nos of times a writer admits he was wrong!- Deep insights on dealing with nations, nationalities, politics & decision making at the highest levels.- If nothing else, a book about PURE STAMINA!

Employees from GE who worked more than 10 years in recent times can only understand.

If you were given a choice between attending an IVY League business school and being personally mentored by the CEO of a conglomerate, what would you choose?What would be your state of mind when you are handed over the reins of a business one day and a catastrophic event pulls the carpet from right under your feet, the next day?Such was the fate of Jeffrey Immelt, former CEO of the global conglomerate General Electric, who assumed office on 10th of September 2001, a day before the twin towers of the World Trade Center vaporized. GE’s shares tumbled by 20% eroding more than $80 billion within a day. Did he relent?His autobiography is a beautiful anthology of case studies witnessed over his 16-year journey as CEO of GE – a conglomerate that spans aircraft engines, healthcare, plastics, appliances, renewable energy, insurance and more.Be it protecting the interests of GE’s immediate customers, the airline companies, or the rescuing of the steel industry that was ridden with debt due to 9/11 crisis, Jeffrey’s decisions stress the importance of building trust in spite of the trying times that America and GE, were both reeling under.From his humble beginnings in Dartmouth College, where Jeff worked at a scrap yard, making and warehousing parts for the Ford Motor Company, his rags to riches journey is nothing short of inspirational. He attributes his formative lessons on leadership to have emerged from his times on the varsity football team.Jeff’s heart-felt narration includes the mention of him flinging paper clips over his friend’s cubicle during his first job at P&G as an intern. The book covers the important discoveries both personal and professional that led to his transformation and resultant nomination to succeed Jack Welch. That a fledgling apprentice with modest background has the potential to lead a $150 B enterprise only instils courage in us, not only to dream big but also to discover our true purpose along the way.Whether it was making bold investments to transform GE into a technology powerhouse or divesting non-performing assets to fend off a federal regulator, Jeff recounts the nuances behind cherry-picking the teams that executed each endeavour. Not only that, from the various acquisitions that transpired during his tenure, Jeff expresses the trials and tribulations encountered during the integration process, vividly. In each of these undertakings is hidden, a lesson or two for every manager, who is aspiring to be a leader.

An awesome book which is straight from the heart. He is a straight taker and an inspiring leader. Recommend to all those who lead or want to lead.

Fundamental story amazingly done

Excellent read. Outlines the challenges one faces in such high profile jobs. However it clearly shows how weak a leader Jeff was compared to Jack. Jack would never have tolerated such behaviour from his business leaders or even the board.

An overrated book honestly.One time read for people managers and HR personnel. But felt slow in partsand defensive

It is rare to see a leader admitting error while passing over certain individuals, Omar Ishraq as candidly mentioned, for the promotion. Perhaps your HR was obsessed with selecting tall, good-looking, bone-white males with or without the domain knowledge. I do hope, GE HR takes a cue from Google, Microsoft, IBM and Twitter. Secondly, the phenomenon of the "theatre of success" did happen during the "Six Sigma" and the "In Country for Country" programs besides few other examples you know about.