Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done

Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done

by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan (with Charles Burck)

Turn plans into results.
Great strategies don’t move the needle unless people execute. In Execution, former Honeywell/AlliedSignal CEO Larry Bossidy teams up with renowned advisor Ram Charan to deliver a straight-talking playbook from the trenches of business—how to align your people, priorities, and processes so work actually gets finished—on time, on budget, and to standard.

Why this book matters today

In a world full of slide decks and “big ideas,” the winners are the teams that ship. Bossidy and Charan cut through the noise and show you how to build a culture where commitments are clear, accountability is normal, and problems get solved fast—whether you run a $30M service company or a five-person shop.

What you’ll learn

• Make accountability real: Set clear owners, dates, and definitions of “done” so nothing slips.

• Link strategy to the day job: Translate annual goals into weekly actions for every role.

• Run meetings that move work: Crisp agendas, visible metrics, and decisive follow-through.

• Hire, coach, and course-correct: Right people, right seats, timely people moves.

• Build the “how” muscle: Repeatable operating rhythms from planning to post-mortems.

Who it’s for

• Owners and CEOs need consistent performance across departments.

• General managers and division leaders are accountable for results.

• Operations and project leads coordinate people, schedules, and resources.

• Entrepreneurs and team leads are wearing three hats and still expected to deliver.

What’s inside

• The people side of execution: Expectations, candid feedback, and talent development.

• The strategy side: A few must-win priorities, aligned budgets, KPIs, and capacity.

• The operations side: Quarterly plans, monthly reviews, weekly huddles, daily check-ins.

• Real-world examples: Practical moves you can copy tomorrow, from staffing to scorecards.

How to use this book

1. Choose 3–5 must-win priorities. Write them in plain English with owners and deadlines.

2. Create a simple scorecard. Track a handful of leading and lagging indicators weekly.

3. Install a cadence. Quarterly planning → monthly operating reviews → weekly huddles.

4. Make commitments public. End every meeting with who/what/when, sent to all.

5. Coach in the open. Praise specifically. Confront gaps quickly. Upgrade roles when needed.

Field-tested tools (grab-and-go)

• RAPID task line: Owner | Task | Success definition | Due date | Status

• Red/Yellow/Green reviews: Color the truth; fix reds first.

• One-page plan: Company priorities → team priorities → personal priorities.

• After-action debrief: What worked, what didn’t, and what we’ll change—in 15 minutes.

Common execution killers (and fixes)

• Too many priorities → Pick fewer, say no more, and sequence the work.

• Vague ownership → One name per task—no shared accountability.

• Meeting sprawl → Shorten, standardize, end with written commitments.

• Talent mismatches → Clarify the role, coach with data, and make timely moves.

• No feedback loop → Review results on a regular cadence and adjust quickly.

Why it stands apart

• Author credibility: Bossidy ran complex, global operations; Charan has coached boards and CEOs for decades. The playbook reflects both perspectives—operator and advisor.

• People-first execution: Performance improves when roles, expectations, and coaching are clear.

• Built for real businesses: Equally useful on a shop floor, in a service truck, or at HQ.

Ready to make it happen?

Pick one priority. Assign one owner. Define “done.” Review every week.

Repeat until your plans consistently become results.