Executive Warfare

It's not enough anymore to be smart, hard-working, and able to show results; At this level, everybody is smart, hard-working, and able to show results. Now it's a game for grown-ups. What really sets you apart is the relationships you build with people of influence. These people can include your peers, your employees, your organization's directors, reporters, vendors, and regulators-as well as the people directly above you in the organizational hierarchy. In senior management, you no longer answer to just one boss. There is now a hazy matrix of hundreds of bosses both inside and outside the office, any one of whom can stop you cold or give you a tremendous push forward. Executive Warfare offers concrete advice for handling all of them, including Your peers: They are the most valuable of allies or the most dangerous of enemies The CEO: Her office is often where the real fairy dust is kept. Make sure you have a good relationship here The Board of Directors: They won't judge you fairly if all they see of you is your PowerPoints Your direct reports: They are your vital organs, so treat them accordingly. And if you find a blood clot among them-excise that person before he kills you Your rivals: It's not always wise to shoot at them, but if you do, do not shoot to wound On-line gossips: You cannot afford to engage directly with them In his bestsellers Brand Warfare and Career Warfare, author David D'Alessandro offered sharp advice for building a brand and building a career. Now Executive Warfare is the advanced class for the truly ambitious. Learn what it takes to rise to the top-and to do the even harder thing, which is survive there.