Insights from ‘The Effective Executive’ by Peter Drucker

Question 1

What does focusing on contribution mean according to Peter Drucker?

Answer 1

To focus on contribution means to focus on effectiveness.

Question 2

What two aspects should you know to maximize effectiveness?

Answer 2

Know Thy Strengths and Know Thy Time.

Question 3

Fill in the blank: ‘We are all incompetent at most things. The crucial question is not how to turn incompetence into excellence, but to ask, ______’.

Answer 3

‘What can I do uncommonly well?’

Question 4

True or False: Most people are accurate in knowing what they are good at.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

What method does Drucker recommend to identify your strengths?

Answer 5

Conduct a feedback analysis.

Question 6

What are the three steps to conducting a feedback analysis?

Answer 6

1. Write down your upcoming responsibilities. 2. Estimate your performance on a scale of 1-5. 3. Compare your expectations to your results six to twelve months later.

Question 7

How does one measure their contribution according to Drucker?

Answer 7

Contribution = Strengths x Time

Question 8

Why is it essential to record your actual time use?

Answer 8

To accurately assess where your time goes and avoid overestimating effectiveness.

Question 9

How often does Drucker suggest recording time to start a time tracking habit?

Answer 9

Record activities for three consecutive hours every workday.

Question 10

What should you write down when the hourly alarm goes off in your time tracking exercise?

Answer 10

Everything you did in the last hour, including small distractions, with as much specificity as possible.

Question 11

True or False: Time tracking helps create a ‘Stop-Doing’ and ‘Offload’ list.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Give two examples of items that might go on a ‘Stop-Doing’ list.

Answer 12

Common distractions and useless meetings.

Question 13

What kind of tasks typically belong on an ‘Offload’ list?

Answer 13

Tasks that don’t require refined judgment or creativity, such as cleaning, running errands, or updating spreadsheets.

Question 14

Why should you review your ‘Stop-Doing’ and ‘Offload’ lists before looking at your daily to-do list?

Answer 14

To plan how to eliminate items systematically and offload tasks, maximizing time for high-value work.

Question 15

What is the ultimate goal of managing time and contribution according to Drucker?

Answer 15

To spend your time doing what you do best and stop or offload the rest.

Question 16

Application-based: You notice you spend a lot of time in meetings that don’t contribute to your strengths. What would Drucker suggest you do?

Answer 16

Add unnecessary meetings to the ‘Stop-Doing’ list and prioritize time for activities that leverage your strengths.