What do executives do, anyway? (apenwarr.ca)

Article summary

The article discusses the role of executives in large organizations, citing Andy Grove's book 'High Output Management' as a reference. According to the book, an executive's job is to define and enforce culture and values, and to ratify good decisions, rather than making decisions themselves. The article also explores the limitations of executives in setting strategy and the importance of organizational values in shaping decisions. In small companies, the role of executives is different, with more direct involvement in decision-making.

Main themes

• executive role
• organizational values
• decision-making
• company strategy
• leadership

What commenters say

• The role of an executive is not to make decisions, but to facilitate and ratify decisions made by others.
• The article's perspective on executive roles is overly simplistic and does not account for the complexities of real-world decision-making.
• Effective executives delegate decision-making and focus on selecting the right people to make decisions.
• The idea that executives should not set strategy is misguided, as they have a unique perspective on the company's overall direction.
• The article's emphasis on organizational values is correct, as they play a crucial role in shaping decisions and company culture.
• The distinction between small and large companies is important, as the role of executives differs significantly between the two.
• Some executives are able to make a significant impact on their companies through direct involvement, rather than just delegating and ratifying decisions.
• The perception of supply and demand, rather than actual supply and demand, often determines executive pay.