September 27, 2010

Doing Things Right or Doing the Right Things?

Jerry Sanders of AMDMy son and I recently met Jerry Sanders, the founder of AMD – a computer chip manufacturer and one of the giants in the history of Silicon Valley.

Jerry was telling us that people often confuse “doing things right” with “doing the right things.”  He said it was vital to “do the right things ” as doing the wrong things right ends in failure and burnout.

Peter Drucker makes the same point in The Effective Executive.  So how do you focus on “doing the right things”?  One easy way is asking your coaches.  They have the experience and objectivity to guide you.