book review final

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Management

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Feb 20, 2024

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Manasi Agisgekar BMGT110 The Ride of a Lifetime I’m not much of a reader but the book, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of Walt Disney, hooked me in. Robert Iger is one of the most well-known business executives in the world, currently serving as the CEO of one of the most iconic and recognizable companies in the world, The Walt Disney Company. I was intrigued to read the advice from a powerful CEO like him and wasn’t disappointed. Another reason was that it not only gave you lessons but depicted his own life along with the challenges faced and opportunities presented. To start off with the positive elements, I enjoyed how it is written in a memoir style that recounts Iger's journey as CEO of Disney, highlighting the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way. Iger's writing style is engaging and accessible, making the book a compelling read for anyone interested. Although, certain readers may feel that the book doesn’t provide the depth of analysis they anticipate from a business book. In terms of themes, one of the most significant ones is Iger's emphasis on the importance of innovation, risk-taking, and adaptability. He believes that companies that are not willing to innovate and take risks will inevitably fall behind in a rapidly changing industry. He also stresses the importance of adaptability, pointing out that the media industry is constantly evolving, and companies must be able to pivot quickly to stay ahead of the curve. I believe that his emphasis is the most beneficial to focus on because, in today's rapidly changing business environment, companies that fail to innovate and take calculated risks are at a significant disadvantage. Iger's experiences at Disney, which include the acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, demonstrate how calculated risks can lead to significant growth and success. Another key theme in the book is Iger's leadership philosophy, which is based on authenticity, empathy, and collaboration. He believes that leaders must be authentic and transparent, and must communicate clearly and honestly with their teams. Iger's philosophy provides valuable insights into how leaders can cultivate these skills to inspire and motivate their teams. Particularly relevant in today's business environment, where transparency and honesty are highly valued. Leaders who are authentic and transparent can build trust with their teams and create a culture of openness and accountability. The book's relevance to current business conditions is highly relevant to anyone working in the media industry or any other industry undergoing rapid technological and cultural changes. The media industry is currently facing significant challenges along with disruptions, and Iger's insights on how to navigate these challenges are invaluable. Moreover, the book's emphasis on innovation, risk-taking, and adaptability is highly relevant to any industry seeking to stay ahead of the curve. In terms of relevance to our class content, I thought it related most to one of our earlier units on the basics of management. I started to compare the information of management function, I would say that based on the themes discussed in the book, Iger's leadership style is most closely aligned with participative leadership. Iger's emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and empathy are all hallmarks of participative leadership. This approach helped to create a culture of collaboration and teamwork at Disney, which ultimately helped with the company's success.
When it comes to what I learned from the book, I took a lot from one of the lessons. It was that networking is a powerful asset that can be used to achieve even the biggest aspirations, i feel that it is the most important that stood out to me because Networking is not just about building a list of contacts, it is about building genuine relationships and creating a network of people who can support and advise you. Iger's ability to network and build relationships helped him to identify new opportunities, gain valuable insights and advice, and navigate complex situations. One of the key takeaways from the book is that networking is not just something that should be done when you need something, but rather a continuous effort to build relationships and stay connected with people, which really stood out and stuck with me. I agree that the book has some limitations that may not appeal to all readers. One potential limitation is that the book lacks a more detailed analysis of the strategies and decisions that Iger made during his tenure as CEO of Disney. While the book provides many anecdotes and insights into Iger's personal experiences and leadership style, some readers may find that it lacks the level of detail and analysis they expect from a business book. In addition, some readers may find that the book's focus on Iger's personal experiences and leadership philosophy may not be to their liking. The book is written in a highly personal and anecdotal style, which may not appeal to readers who are looking for a more formal and structured approach to learning about leadership and management. In conclusion, Robert Iger's book, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of Walt Disney, offers valuable insights and lessons for anyone interested in the media industry or leadership and management. The book's engaging and accessible writing style and Iger's personal experiences and leadership philosophy make it a compelling read. The book's themes of innovation, risk-taking, and adaptability, as well as Iger's emphasis on participative leadership and the power of networking, provide valuable takeaways for anyone looking to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment. While the book may have some limitations, such as lacking analytical depth, it is still a worthwhile read for anyone looking to learn from one of the most successful CEOs of our time.
References Iger, R. (2019). The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons learned from 15 years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company . Random House. You Exec. (n.d.). The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons learned from 15 years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company Book Summary . You Exec. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://youexec.com/book-summaries/the-ride-of-a-lifetime Robert A. Iger . The Walt Disney Company. (2022, November 23). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/
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