The art of action : how leaders close the gaps between plans, actions, and results

Executing strategy is an enduring management problem. There is often a significant gap between what managers plan, what they do and the outcome they achieve. Stephen Bungay finds a fresh approach from an unexpected source - the nineteenth-century Prussian Army. His solution is based not on theory, but on sets of practices that have evolved over many years in the fast-moving, unpredictable environment of the battlefield. The Art of Action uses engaging narrative to demonstrate how to set direction, how to agree what people need to do to realise their objectives, and how to enable them to be successful in the complex, dynamic arena of modern business. It offers a fresh, practical approach to strategy, communication and leadership, encouraging people to practice the few simple things that really make a difference. Read more... Abstract: Based on a theoretical framework which has been tested in practice over 150 years, Bungay shows how the approach known as 'mission command' has been applied in businesses as diverse as pharmaceuticals and F1 racing today. The Art of Action is scholarly but engaging, rigorous but pragmatic, and shows how common sense can sometimes be surprising. Read more... What do you want me to do? This question is the enduring management issue, a perennial problem that Stephen Bungay shows has an old solution that is counter-intuitive and yet common sense. The Art of Action is a thought-provoking and fresh look at how managers can turn planning into execution, and execution into results. Drawing on his experience as a consultant, senior manager and a highly respected military historian, Stephen Bungay takes a close look at the nineteenth-century Prussian Army, which built its agility on the initiative of its highly empowered junior officers, to show business leaders how they can build more effective, productive organizations. Based on a theoretical framework which has been tested in practice over 150 years, Bungay shows how the approach known as'mission command'has been applied in businesses as diverse as pharmaceuticals and F1 racing today. The Art of Action is scholarly but engaging, rigorous but pragmatic, and shows how common sense can sometimes be surprising.

Many managers have great ideas but lack the strategizing skills to implement them. Using the battle tactics of the 19th-century Prussian army, author Stephen Bungay combines his unique background as a historian and leading business strategist to teach managers how to strategize in the workplace to succeed in their careers and close the gap between plans, action and results. Through engaging narrative and tried-and-true battlefield practices, The Art of Action brings a fresh, entertaining perspective to management, equipping leaders with the tools they need to achieve their goals.

Examining the gap between what managers plan, what they do, and the outcomes they achieve, Stephen Bungay uses the nineteenth-century Prussian Armyand the unpredictable environment of the battlefieldto show business leaders how they can build more effective and productive organizations. Bungay provides a fresh look at how managers can turn planning into execution, and execution into results. Content: The problem what do you want me to do? -- The cause èe èree gaps clausewitz and friction : friction and non-linearity be three gaps summary -- Elements of a solution directed opportunism -- The knowledge gap -- The alignment gap brieing and backbrieing -- The effects gap independent áEinking obedience building the organisation -- Leadership that works. The problem what do you want me to do? The cause èe èree gaps clausewitz and friction : friction and non-linearity be three gaps summary Elements of a solution directed opportunism The knowledge gap The alignment gap brieing and backbrieing The effects gap independent Èinking obedience building the organisation Leadership that works. Perhaps the best business book I've ever read: analyzes leadership into its components and failures to adapt -- and how to avoid them. von Clausewitz's On War reformulated in practical terms for business. Highly recommended.