SIX

Where You’re Starting From: Diagnosing Your Point of Departure

We can have facts without thinking, but we cannot have thinking without facts.

—JOHN DEWEY

IT’S MONDAY MORNING AT EIGHT O’CLOCK, YOUR FIRST DAY ON the job as the new CEO or general manager. You are responsible for running the business. You understand the four laws we have described. What do you do first?

You may find this question answered for you, almost before you have time to think. As we noted at the beginning of the book, people will want to see you—urgently. There are decisions to be made, appointments to be kept, fires to be put out. The cacophony of voices calling for your immediate attention can be overwhelming. Many items are actually marked “urgent,” and their priority ...

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