The 5% Rule of Leadership: Using Lean Decision-Making to Drive Trust, Ownership, and Team Productivity

InThe 5% Rule of Leadership: Using Lean Decision-Making to Drive Superior Outcomes, Anil Singhal, co-founder of NetScout Systems, reveals his contrarian approach to creating a powerhouse organization that will thrive in any climate and stand the test of time. He asserts that, for a business to be able to withstand major environmental shifts and disruptions and last for decades, the leader only needs to be involved in the first 5% of any given project–whether building a new product, creating a major go-to-market initiative, acquiring a company or starting a new company. Adapting the Pareto Principle, which states that roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes, Anil asserts that decisions during the first 5% of any project or initiative results in 95% of the consequences. He suggests this principle involves creating a value system of authenticity, inclusivity, ownership, equity, and trust among all stakeholders to create a workforce of good corporate citizens in which everyone shares in the risks and rewards. Based on thirty years of demonstrated success at NetScout–in an accessible, easy-to-follow style that may be implemented by businesses and leaders at any stage in their evolution, the book explores: Driving the organization through the first 5% of a project, delegating the next 95% to the team, while only providing limited oversight. Creating a lean organization without overtaxing anyone. Knowing the what, when, and how before the do. Becoming different–and then better. Establishing a powerful, dedicated culture that breeds fairness, trust, and ownership. Playing the long game through Singhals secret formula for Staying Power and Focus. Providing strong quality of life for the workforce: family comes first with responsibility a close second. Treating everyone with kindness, as they will give back even more to the company. The perfect salve for todays unpredictable and challenging business climate, The 5% Rule of Leadership presents strategies to cultivate a consistently profitable and productive business with a culture in which people love to work and never even think of leaving.