Results: Keep What's Good, Fix What's Wrong, and Unlock Great Performance

Just as you can understand an individuals personality, so too can you understand a companys typewhat makes it tick, whats good and bad about it. Results explains why some organizations bob and weave and roll with the punches to consistently deliver on commitments and produce great results, while others cant leave their corner of the ring without tripping on their own shoelaces. Gary Neilson and Bruce Pasternack help you identify which of the seven company types you work forand how to keep whats good and fix whats wrong. Youll feel the shock of recognition (“Thats me, thats my company”) as you find out whether your organization is:

• Passive-Aggressive (“everyone agrees, smiles, and nods, but nothing changes”): entrenched underground resistance makes getting anything done like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall

• Fits-and-Starts (“let 1,000 flowers bloom”): filled with smart people pulling in different directions

• Outgrown (“the good old days meet a brave new world”): reacts slowly to market developments, since its too hard to run new ideas up the flagpole

• Overmanaged (“were from corporate and were here to help”): more reporting than working, as managers check on their subordinates work so they can in turn report to their bosses

• Just-in-Time (“succeeding, but by the skin of our teeth”): can turn on a dime and create real breakthroughs but also tends to burn out its best and brightest

• Military Precision (“flying in formation”): executes brilliant strategies but usually does not deal well with events not in the playbook

• Resilient (“as good as it gets”): flexible, forward-looking, and fun; bounces back when it hits a bump in the road and never, ever rests on its laurels

For anyone whos ever said, “Wow, thats a great idea, but itll never happen here” or “Whew, we pulled it off again, but Im tired of all this sprinting,” Results provides robust, practical ideas for becoming and remaining a resilient business.

Also available as an eBook

Bruce A. Pasternack is president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.–based Special Olympics. He was a senior vice president for almost thirty years at Booz Allen Hamilton, served on its board of directors, and was a founding partner of its organization and strategic leadership practice.