Let's face it, Jack Welch has been gone from GE for YEARS and we're still sucking the fumes of "up or out" (firing the bottom 10%), Crotonville (the famed GE Leadership Development center) and every other well documented people product/concept labeled as a best practice out of GE.
Of course, I like Jack Welch, so I'm always happy to listen. But that doesn't mean I can't ponder the cult of personality that is Jack Welch and GE when it comes to OD practices. Heard him on CNBC the other day and decided to put together these 10 Bitchin' Facts about Jack Welch. Enjoy:
10. The only reason you're conscious right now is because Jack Welch doesn't want to carry you.
9. The SHRM audience in 2009 asked Jack Welch a lot of questions. They were advised not to ask Jack Welch what he would do for a Klondike bar.
8. Superman has Jack Welch pajamas.
7. General gunfight rule: shoot first, ask questions later. Welch gunfight rule: shoot first, shoot later, shoot some more, and when everyone's dead, ask a couple o' questions.
6. Jack Welch can eat just one Lay's Potato Chip. Don't tell Jack what he can't ****** do.
5. Taco Bell used to close at midnight, until Jack Welch decided he wanted to have burritos at 2 am.
4. Chuck Norris can drink an entire gallon of milk in thirty-seven seconds. Jack Welch doesn't drink milk. Milk is for sissies.
3. Jack Welch once lost reception on his cell phone. 24 hours later AT&T announced that it would have more bars in more places.
2. Jack Welch's rice crispies don't go snap,crackle and pop,they go "Ssshhh here comes Jack"...
1. As a boy, Jack Welch held an Ops Review with his parents on Easter until they revealed the location and contents of each hidden egg.
May your weekend be fruitful and be absent the need to maked forced-choice decisions on your children.
This is what Jack Welch and I wish for you.
Two count'em TWO great posts in one day, aren't we a lucky audience. I'm quietly pondering Vegas, although August training camp or 2011 spring training are more my sports of choice!
Posted by: Megan Smith | April 09, 2010 at 01:02 PM
Hmmmm. I agree with this notion and think that only Anthththtony Rrrrrobbins takes it further than Jack. However, don't we all need our rock stars? I enjoy this stuff (often called American rubbish over here in the UK!) but understand it for what it is. Go along, be enthused and meet lots of "real" people in the audience rather than on the stage. Hey but I'm driving my airplane right now watching the dolphins on route to my castle.....
Posted by: Scott McArthur | April 11, 2010 at 05:23 AM
Jack Welch was the worst manager of all time. And yeah, I'd tell him to his face. His rank-and-yank was, in my mind, the single most egregious idea ever to come out of his management style. He was a jerk who lucked out when the economy was good. Look at what happened to GE when he was gone -- the place was in tatters because he ruined the infrastructure.
Jack Welch should be vilified. He couldn't carry the jockstrap of a thousand CEOs I can think of.
Posted by: Frank Roche | April 11, 2010 at 08:23 AM
Thanks for the chuckles Kris! I've shared you post in my weekly Rainmaker 'Fab Five' blog picks of the week (found here: http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_retention/2010/04/the-rainmaker-fab-five-blog-picks-of-the-week-1.html) so my readers may also take pleasure in reading your post.
Be well!
Posted by: "Chris Young, The Rainmaker" | April 11, 2010 at 11:28 PM