A fascinating and candid memoir about successful leadership from the former CEO of General
Electric named one of the World's Best CEOs three times by Barron's and the hard-won lessons
he learned from his experience leading GE immediately after 9 11 through the devastating
2008-09 financial crisis and into an increasingly globalized world. In September 2001 Jeff
Immelt replaced the most famous CEO in history Jack Welch at the helm of General Electric.
Less than a week into his tenure the 9 11 terrorist attacks shook the nation and the company
to its core. GE was connected to nearly every part of the tragedy-GE-financed planes powered by
GE-manufactured engines had just destroyed real estate that was insured by GE-issued policies.
Facing an unprecedented situation Immelt knew his response would set the tone for businesses
everywhere that looked to GE-one of America's biggest and most-heralded corporations-for
direction. No pressure. Over the next sixteen years Immelt would lead GE through many more
dire moments from the 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis to the 2011 meltdown of Fukushima's
nuclear reactors which were designed by GE. But Immelt's biggest challenge was inherited:
Welch had handed over a company that had great people but was short on innovation. Immelt set
out to change GE's focus by making it more global more rooted in technology and more diverse.
But the stock market rarely rewarded his efforts and GE struggled. In Hot Seat Immelt offers
a rigorous and raw interrogation of himself and his tenure detailing for the first time his
proudest moments and his biggest mistakes. The most crucial component of leadership he writes
is the willingness to make decisions. But knowing what to do is a thousand times easier than
knowing when to do it. Perseverance combined with clear communication can ensure progress if
not perfection he says. That won't protect any CEO from second-guessing but Immelt explains
how he's pushed through even the most withering criticism: by staying focused on his team and
the goals they tried to achieve. As the business world continues to be rocked by stunning
economic upheaval Hot Seat takes you into the office head and heart of the man who became
CEO of GE on the eve of 9 11 and then led the iconic behemoth for sixteen fascinating and
often turbulent years. A handbook on leadership-and life (Stanley A. McChrystal General US
Army [Retired] CEO and Founder McChrystal Group).
