Five Hidden Mistakes CEOs Make, How To Unlock the Secrets That Drive Growth and Profitability [Paperback]

Tom Northup (Author), Lee Pound (Editor), The Write Coach (Editor), Matt McGovern (Illustrator), 700acres (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2008

Written for CEOs by a CEO, Five Hidden Mistakes CEOs Make is essential reading for business owners, senior executives, and successful entrepreneurs seeking to rise above the status quo. As the former CEO and principal of three successful businesses, author Tom Northup understands how to build a vision, meet hard-to-reach objectives, and make the behavioral and attitudinal changes necessary for lasting organizational and leadership success. As the author of this book, Northup reveals the proven methods, practical how-tos, and expert insight readers need to build excellence, improve performance, and sustain dramatic transformation in their own organizations year after year.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Tom Northup hits the bullseye of why business owners and executives often fail to make the progress they want. He then walks us through a step-by-step process of how to fix it with time-tested strategies anyone can use to create dynamic business, financial, and personal growth. --Paul Wojdynski, President, Controlled Key Systems

This book pulls together all you need to know to run a business effectively. A must read for every business owner or executive! --Bob Hand, President, Kopp Glass

This book is a must for business owner that is trying to understand why the positive results that used to be there when the company was smaller are now negative or below expectations. Tom Northup gives practical insight along with solutions to get your company going in the direction you want --Scott McDevitt, President, Translogistics, Inc.

About the Author

Tom Northup has spent over 30 years in operations management. He was a Chief Executive Officer and principal of his last three companies, growing one from a second tier player into a position of market leadership. He has been successful in several environments including: high growth; turn around; and multi-plant, multi-shift, unionized operations. Tom has a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing company executives in today's fast paced business environment. Combining his knowledge of Leadership Processes with Practical Management Experience Tom generates impressive results for his clients. Today, through coaching, consulting, mentoring, and training, Tom provides practical experience and thoughtful leadership. He is a goal-oriented executive experienced in developing strong management teams all with a focus on building sustainable success and results. He works side-by-side with clients to develop plans and implement strategies to . . . build capabilities that increase revenue and profitability year after year. heighten competitive advantages. make companies more proactive in the marketplace. build effective management teams. foster greater corporate wide accountability. generate sustained results. groom future generations of leaders. ensure continuity of vision and growth through thoughtful succession planning. Tom has CEO Experience. He personally understands how to build excellence and reach a vision for the future. Tom is results oriented. He helps clients meet hard-to-reach objectives. Tom s process is transformational. He helps make behavioral and attitudinal changes for long-lasting success. Tom is practical. He provides proven methods and practical how-tos. His clients say Tom gives honesty, the truth - uncut and unabridged, and an unbiased answer based on years of real life practical experience that works; His gift is providing clarity, focus and practical how to's. Clients feel focused, challenged to look at an issue from another point of view, re-energized.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Solutions Press; 1st edition (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975267159
• ISBN-13: 978-0975267158
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,260,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With over 30 years of real-world experience in operations management, Tom understands how to build excellence and reach a future vision. He is results oriented helping clients meet hard-to-reach objectives. His process is transformational, at the end of an engagement people are regularly working at a more effective, successful level.

Five Hidden Mistakes is a culmination of his experience giving practical insight and proven methods to develop an outstanding organization.

Tom lives in Newport Beach, CA with his wife Katie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars See the forest, see the trees, appreciate the journey!, June 29, 2008

By 

Dave Kinnear "Executive Leader Coach" (Lake Forest, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Hidden Mistakes CEOs Make, How To Unlock the Secrets That Drive Growth and Profitability (Paperback)

Mr. Northup has taken decades of experience in leadership positions, and now in leadership development, to provide us with an excellent guide through the leadership forest. He artfully provides the reader with the tools to discover the hidden mistakes and to avoid or correct them.

Each chapter leads us along the path of discovery and ends with a summary and the "Best Ideas" from the chapter as well as an invitation for us to note our own "Best Ideas" along with the action items needed to put them to use - accountability.

Mr. Northup points out that people development is what leadership is all about. He stresses that we each must be on our own continuous learning path, thus demonstrating to the leadership team and employees what is expected in the organization. He firmly advocates the use of the mastermind approach to problem solving and provides a framework for developing that practice.

Each of the five hidden mistakes (lack of clarity and focus, lack of development, lack of practice, lack of planning and lack of accountability) is afforded a chapter or more, and then other key leadership attributes are discussed as well. The last three chapters tie it all together by taking us up to see the leadership forest after discussing some of the day-to-day trees of tactical leadership skills. In the end, this well written book provides a whole bunch of information and insight into a packed 140 pages. A must read for anyone in a business leadership position.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Truths, November 14, 2008

By 

Rick Lamprecht (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Hidden Mistakes CEOs Make, How To Unlock the Secrets That Drive Growth and Profitability (Paperback)

This book is chock full of insightful truths every executive must learn, particularly those without formal management training. The book truly reveals mistakes that are unknowingly committed by even the most experienced executives.

"Five Hidden Mistakes" is concise, elegantly presented, insightful and instructional, yet practical. Profound examples abound:
* Successful people understand that the cost of failure is very modest compared to the cost of inaction.
* High performers create an organization that is in resonance.
* Personal competencies provide the basic groundwork, but social competencies set the effective leader apart.
* The book is a quick read, easy to comprehend, but so very insightful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, usable, realistic, July 28, 2008

By 

Richard S. Lewine "Chairman, Achievement Alli... (Montgomeryville, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Hidden Mistakes CEOs Make, How To Unlock the Secrets That Drive Growth and Profitability (Paperback)

Tom Northup's mantra of "Easy to say. Hard to do", equates to practice, practice, practice! Can't have too much. Most authors don't bother caring about the reader's outcomes. Tom clearly does care. Poor execution will sabotage strategy every time. He treats the complex subject of Strategic Development with a practical approach, one that makes it realistic for the reader to implement. He has broken it down into bite-size chunks, executable initiatives that ordinary folks can handle.

Each time I read one of the presented concepts, a picture of a client popped into my head. Readers that have a similar reaction, vis a vis their own organization, will be the winners! Mr. Northup knows what he's talking about, having been there and done that himself. His enthusiasm for effective leadership jumps from every chapter. Tom makes it clear that the evolution of the organization is dependent on the personal growth and evolution of the Leader.

"The Five Hidden Mistakes CEOs Make" is a readable, understandable guide for every leader and manager.