Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and The Fall of General Electric by Thomas Gryta and Ted Mann

BATB score: 5/10 💡

*reader discretion advised* not a book for the average joe; requires IVY league educational background

a complete post-mortem extremely detailed report of what happened at General Electric from Jack Welch’s most successful company stardom to Jeff Immelt’s company downfall bye bye die

Best as: no one really needs to know that much detailed post-mortem unless you are doing a General Electric business case review

Best to: unpopular opinion, I do feel sorry for Immelt; it was his epic dream job, with the biggest shoes to fill, on a mission to proof one’s legacy, amidst shitload headwinds, and surprise! the company has critical loopholes - shits waiting to hit the fan

Best for: any ambitious climbers trying to get to CEO role - this book is a decade in a life of a CEO 💯

BATB lingering thought: other than massive pay, do I actually want to be CEO 🤔 considering the huge job scope, stakeholders headaches, social pressure to only succeed? also knowing when to leave and knowing when the challenge is too great for you, is leadership bravery 👍

Best quotes: “Every job looks easy when you’re not the one doing it.”

“If anyone had thought this deal was a dog, he or she should have said something.”

“He was a hunter—for killer deals and hidden risks, for undiscovered roadside taverns serving lunch.”

“My second day as chairman, a plane I lease, flying with engines I built, crashed into a building that I insure, and it was covered with a network I own”