--- product_id: 4493062 title: "The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials)" price: "£11.49" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4493062-the-effective-executive-the-definitive-guide-to-getting-the-right store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Master time management Laser-focus on priorities Strategic decision-making The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials) **Price:** £11.49 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🚀 Get the right things done—because effectiveness is the ultimate power move. ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials) - **How much does it cost?** £11.49 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4493062-the-effective-executive-the-definitive-guide-to-getting-the-right) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Make Decisions That Stick:** Master the art of effective decision-making and communication across teams. - • **Connect the Dots Like a Pro:** Integrate time, priorities, strengths, and decisions into a seamless productivity system. - • **Focus on What Truly Matters:** Learn to prioritize contributions that drive real organizational impact. - • **Own Your Time, Own Your Success:** Unlock proven strategies to manage your most valuable asset—time. - • **Leverage Strengths for Maximum Effect:** Mobilize your unique strengths to amplify your leadership influence. ## Overview Peter Drucker's timeless classic, The Effective Executive, distills the essential skills every knowledge worker needs to excel: managing time, prioritizing impactful contributions, leveraging strengths, and making decisions that resonate organization-wide. With a 4.6-star rating and a top 50 rank in Business Management, this concise guide remains a must-read for professionals aiming to elevate their leadership and productivity in any sizable organization. ## Description desertcart.com: The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials): 9780060833459: Drucker, Peter F.: Books Review: 4.5 stars - good, still relevant book regarding being effective as a knowledge worker - There are a number of other reviews that summarize the contents of the book, so I won't attempt to do that here. The big picture knowledge that the book imparts, are really the key aspects to being effective in any line of knowledge work (which is most jobs today). These include: 1) Time management 2) Focusing on contributing value 3) Building on strengths as opposed to shoring up weakness 4) Focus on the priorities, don't let the pressures / inertia drive work output 5) Effective decision-making Some of the few negative reviews seem to think this book is outdated. While occasionally it does feel this way (when it references how much better educated Americans are than everyone else - a throwback to the 60s), the big picture information is still 100% relevant I think. While there are many books that may go into each topic specifically (such as time management or decision-making) I have not seen many other books that present as strong of a big picture snapshot of ALL of the key activities needed to be effective and how these might play together. There were also some tidbits here and there that I found to be very true. For example, the concept that a decision is not made until it has been effectively communicated to everyone in an organization that needs the information in order to carry it out and sustain it. Although this seems obvious, there are people who may be "boundary conditions" as Drucker calls it - that do not execute the decision but still need to be aware of the decision so that they are not acting against the overall objective. In my own line of work, directing my first project, this was actually something I had to consciously learn and reading this book put words to a concept I was aware of, but never could verbalize. Also the idea to create appropriate yardsticks and measure the results of decisions and hold them against the intended result is very reminiscent of six sigma practices that came up much later. Good to see that this general practice is timeless. There was a lot of key thinking - especially as related to an organization - that I haven't seen in other places, especially regarding decision making. Some people may be put off by how general Drucker keeps the topic of discussion, but I think this does serve a purpose on keeping the concepts of the book at a big picture level which is good. I do feel that the book was lacking in specific practices related to time management. This book would have received 5 stars if Drucker more clearly explained specific methods for managing time, as I think this is an especially difficult topic. Instead he shrugs this off and encourages you to figure it out for yourself. Well, I for one would have been curious as to the particular methods that some of the most effective executives that he interviewed in his consulting practice used to manage their time. One other word of warning - this is really a book for someone who has at some point worked in a somewhat large organization (i.e. at least 100 people). If you have, much of what Drucker says will immediately 'click'. If you haven't yet accumulated serious work experience, or have only worked in very small companies (10 people or less), you may not appreciate the full value of this book. A great read for anyone interested in increasing their personal and organization's effectiveness. Review: the economy of time... - “Executives are not paid for doing things they like to do. They are paid for getting the right things done.” If you have read anything on leadership or management in the past few decades, you are probably already familiar with Peter Drucker. I first heard about Drucker a few years back while reading a book by a college president and over time Drucker’s name kept popping up everywhere. It was difficult to determine which book to read first. He has written dozens of books, and all of them have been universally praised. I chose The Effective Executive because it seemed to have a simple, straightforward message and it was under 200 pages. However, I was a bit weary because the book was first published in 1967. First, this book is amazing. It packed with great, applicable information. I actually think this book is more relevant today that it was when it was first written. Second, the message is amazing. The overall message is simple, “effectiveness can be learned and must be earned.” There may be some individuals better suited for leadership roles, but to be an effective manager you need to develop the skill of effectiveness. I will definitely be picking up more Drucker books in the future. Here are some gems: “Organizations are held together by information rather than by ownership or command.” “Working on the right things is what makes knowledge work effective.” “All in all, the effective executive tries to be himself.” ## Features - Managing time - Choosing what to contribute to the organization - Knowing where and how to mobilize strength for best effect - Setting the right priorities - Knitting all of them together with effective decision-making ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #7,971 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #27 in Business Management (Books) #46 in Leadership & Motivation #91 in Motivational Management & Leadership | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,627 Reviews | ## Images ![The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zH9mWg75L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 stars - good, still relevant book regarding being effective as a knowledge worker *by S***O on April 28, 2013* There are a number of other reviews that summarize the contents of the book, so I won't attempt to do that here. The big picture knowledge that the book imparts, are really the key aspects to being effective in any line of knowledge work (which is most jobs today). These include: 1) Time management 2) Focusing on contributing value 3) Building on strengths as opposed to shoring up weakness 4) Focus on the priorities, don't let the pressures / inertia drive work output 5) Effective decision-making Some of the few negative reviews seem to think this book is outdated. While occasionally it does feel this way (when it references how much better educated Americans are than everyone else - a throwback to the 60s), the big picture information is still 100% relevant I think. While there are many books that may go into each topic specifically (such as time management or decision-making) I have not seen many other books that present as strong of a big picture snapshot of ALL of the key activities needed to be effective and how these might play together. There were also some tidbits here and there that I found to be very true. For example, the concept that a decision is not made until it has been effectively communicated to everyone in an organization that needs the information in order to carry it out and sustain it. Although this seems obvious, there are people who may be "boundary conditions" as Drucker calls it - that do not execute the decision but still need to be aware of the decision so that they are not acting against the overall objective. In my own line of work, directing my first project, this was actually something I had to consciously learn and reading this book put words to a concept I was aware of, but never could verbalize. Also the idea to create appropriate yardsticks and measure the results of decisions and hold them against the intended result is very reminiscent of six sigma practices that came up much later. Good to see that this general practice is timeless. There was a lot of key thinking - especially as related to an organization - that I haven't seen in other places, especially regarding decision making. Some people may be put off by how general Drucker keeps the topic of discussion, but I think this does serve a purpose on keeping the concepts of the book at a big picture level which is good. I do feel that the book was lacking in specific practices related to time management. This book would have received 5 stars if Drucker more clearly explained specific methods for managing time, as I think this is an especially difficult topic. Instead he shrugs this off and encourages you to figure it out for yourself. Well, I for one would have been curious as to the particular methods that some of the most effective executives that he interviewed in his consulting practice used to manage their time. One other word of warning - this is really a book for someone who has at some point worked in a somewhat large organization (i.e. at least 100 people). If you have, much of what Drucker says will immediately 'click'. If you haven't yet accumulated serious work experience, or have only worked in very small companies (10 people or less), you may not appreciate the full value of this book. A great read for anyone interested in increasing their personal and organization's effectiveness. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ the economy of time... *by R***K on February 14, 2019* “Executives are not paid for doing things they like to do. They are paid for getting the right things done.” If you have read anything on leadership or management in the past few decades, you are probably already familiar with Peter Drucker. I first heard about Drucker a few years back while reading a book by a college president and over time Drucker’s name kept popping up everywhere. It was difficult to determine which book to read first. He has written dozens of books, and all of them have been universally praised. I chose The Effective Executive because it seemed to have a simple, straightforward message and it was under 200 pages. However, I was a bit weary because the book was first published in 1967. First, this book is amazing. It packed with great, applicable information. I actually think this book is more relevant today that it was when it was first written. Second, the message is amazing. The overall message is simple, “effectiveness can be learned and must be earned.” There may be some individuals better suited for leadership roles, but to be an effective manager you need to develop the skill of effectiveness. I will definitely be picking up more Drucker books in the future. Here are some gems: “Organizations are held together by information rather than by ownership or command.” “Working on the right things is what makes knowledge work effective.” “All in all, the effective executive tries to be himself.” ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quick read, strong message *by H***5 on January 4, 2020* I LOVED the tone of this book. "Think opportunity, not problems". After reading this, I feel so many in the workplace work on the wrong things. Although it is a bit dated, the message applies today, and I do not feel the era the book was written in takes away from it's meaning. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking at how to take on the persona of the 'calm, cool, collective' executive. I would not recommend this book if you are looking for insight on how to lead people....it does not go too much in detail on that. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials) - Managing Oneself (Harvard Business Review Classics) - The Practice of Management --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4493062-the-effective-executive-the-definitive-guide-to-getting-the-right](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4493062-the-effective-executive-the-definitive-guide-to-getting-the-right) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-14*