A CEO ONLY DOES THREE THINGS

Straightforward counsel examines what a CEO should view as top priorities.

In this spirited debut, Taylor, a former CEO who now coaches C-suite executives, distills the responsibilities of the typical CEO into just three areas: “Culture,” “People,” and “Numbers.” While some readers may consider this an understated oversimplification, it is a valid notion when the critical importance of those key areas is considered. “These three pillars serve to center your focus on work that must be done,” writes the author. “Focusing on them exclusively will clarify and inform your work at a level you’ve never reached before.” Taylor begins to make his case with an introductory section that briefly but authoritatively discusses the CEO mindset, including “the power of intent,” self-awareness, the need to understand how people think, the importance of authenticity, and the ability to make good decisions. From there, the author delves into the three topics in considerable detail. The “Culture” section offers a high-level overview of the cultural nature of organizations and the leadership role a CEO plays in shaping the corporate ethos. Taylor employs solid examples from his own organization and others, such as the Ritz-Carlton, to illustrate what he terms a “cultural operating system.” Of particular interest in this section are the author’s salient observations about corporate values and rituals. The next part, “People,” provides insight into the relationship between culture and employees. Taylor cites an intriguing formula to dramatize it: “Company = People x Culture x Focus.” In this section, the author supplies valuable ideas about how to recruit and retain talent, not just hire people. He also shares a smart “4Cs” process—“Culture, Capabilities, Compensation, and Commitment”—for talent acquisition. Finally, in the “Numbers” section, Taylor suggests that it is the CEO’s primary responsibility to define the company’s key performance indicators: “If not properly monitored and managed, it can cause you to miss important opportunities, or worse, lead to financial ruin.” Here, the author strongly urges CEOs to instill in their employees “ownership thinking.” Throughout, Taylor uses pertinent examples and writes at an appropriate level for executive consumption.

Simple yet powerful advice; a worthwhile addition to a CEO’s bookshelf.