While not a brand new book, Jack Welch's autobiography proved interesting Xmas reading. Published last year, Jack Straight from the Gut has its more gushing moments- which normally involve self-congratulation, and references to hugging people. Nevertheless it is required reading for anyone who works in business.
What makes the book highly worthwhile, and is proof of why Welch has been the most successful manager in history, are the moments of brutal honesty and self-criticism. In this regard, the most enjoyable section starts on page 217 in a chapter called Too full of myself. Here the prose become particularly lucid on what Welch regards as the single biggest mistake of his career. And guess what...
