"The Ride of a lifetime" by Robert Iger is one of the best business books I have read in recent times. The book is written in simple English and a good and fast read. Reading through the book I could visualize the career of the individual across the different stages.
Highlighting all the major events the acquisition of Pixar, Lucasfilm (that is, all the Star Wars stuff), Marvel, and most of 21st Century Fox , Robert Iger takes us through the workings of a media company. The reader is taking through the complete journey of Pixar acquisition , his discussions and negotiations with Steve Jobs. Some of the true characteristics of leadership are highlighted when Steve Jobs reveals minutes before the announcement that his cancer has returned.
By realizing that he wasn’t the guy who was going to rebuild Disney’s animation studio, Iger was able to make a big bet that paid off phenomenally well. It clearly goes on to highlight that a leader needs to have the big picture in mind.
How the person rose from the entry level position of the company navigating his way to the coveted job of the CEO. But it was not always so easy for him too , the ride had its own crest's and trough's , Just when he thought thigs are all well and he will get a role he wanted the investors had other plans for him :).. He comes out as a CEO who is such a firm believer in innovation and technology and how not adapting it in time will only make you irrelevant in due course.
It's fascinating to read how with his vision and focus on technology he was able to rebuild the once iconic Disney brand. The book is not the usual business books you would read its worth your time.
Some of the key points which struck and need a special mention and highlight the key leadership traits which helped him and will help every leader :
1. The key management/leadership style when he writes : "It’s a delicate thing ,finding the balance between demanding that your people perform and not instilling a fear of failure in them" ,. This will instill the performance attitude in the individual where they can give their best shot
2. The importance of acceptance and owning up your mistakes , which applies not only to work but to every aspect of life "In your work and in your life you will be more respected and trusted by the people around you if you honestly own up your mistakes" , we wll make mistakes and will make them in future , what is important is to acknowledge them
3. Be decent to people , create an environment where people know you will hear them, that you are emotionally consistent and fair minded and they will be given chances for honest mistakes
4. The effort to be the Got To Man "Do the job you have well ; be patient ; look for opportunities to pitch in and expand and grow; and make yourself one of the -people through your attitude and energy and focus that your bosses feel they need to turn to when the opportunity arises" This is highlighted many times in his own career where his work had instilled trust in his bosses who had larger plan for him. Be someone who creates value for the team
5. Be the doer : "Its not the critic who counts ;not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of the deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood" the world has plenty of critics and fence sitters
The book concludes with a summary of his leadership views , some that stuck me are listed above.
This is a book for every one if you are looking for business insights ; leadership gyaan or just want a good read of a humble man who rose up the corporate ranks to successfully run of the biggest companies , a company which we all love
