Executive Warfare
10 Rules of Engagement for
Winning Your War for Success
By
David F. D'Alessandro
with Michele Owens
McGraw-Hill, 2008
ISBN 978-0-07-15423-8
263 pages
The Big Idea
Why You Need This Book
Attitude, Risk, and Luck: They Are the Most Influential Bosses
Bosses: You Need a License to Cut Hair, but Not to Manage and Control Thousands of People
Peers: Understand That They Are Your Most Valuable Allies… or Your Most Dangerous Enemies
Rivals: Defeat Them with a Siege, Not a Coup
The Team You Assemble: You Risk Your Reputation with Every Hire and Fire
The People You Have to Motivate: You Are a Fool if You Think They Love You
Outsiders with Influence: Be Wary, Be Right, and Be Prepared to Prove It
Position: Get into Place, Whether You Are a Hunter, Skinner, or Diner
Culture: Before You Sign on, Make Sure it’s a Culture, Not a Cult
The New Bosses: It’s Not the Same Old Twentieth-Century Game
In senior management, you no longer answer to just one boss. There is now a hazy matrix of hundreds of bosses both inside and outside the office, any one of whom can stop you cold or give you a tremendous push forward. “Executive Warfare” offers concrete advice for handling all of them, including:
• YOUR PEERS: They can be either the most valuable allies or the most dangerous enemies.
• THE CEO: Her office is often where the real fairy dust is kept. Make sure you have a good relationship with her.
• THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: They won't judge you fairly if all they see of you are your PowerPoint presentations.
• YOUR DIRECT REPORTS: These people are your vital organs, so treat them accordingly. And if you find a “blood clot” among them, excise that person before he kills you.
• YOUR RIVALS: It's not always wise to shoot at them, but if you do, do not shoot to wound.
This book will tell you how to lead all your many bosses to the inevitable conclusion that you and you alone have what it takes to run the show.
In his bestsellers “Brand Warfare” and “Career Warfare”, author David D'Alessandro offered sharp advice for buildi