32 Quotes About Jack Welch

Former CEO of GE

When asked who is JackWelch, he responds

“tough-minded, mostwould say ‘fair’, candid,

hopefully fun.”

“I’m the same person I was when I started.”

“She (my mother) would causely drive me,and whack me when I did something stupid.”

“You survived (sports) based upon how good you are.”

“Only winners deserve trophies on the green and off.”

“He’s had an innate sense that he acts like he’s right all the time but he knows he not.” – Bob Wright

“I like my life and I like to play hard and I like to work hard.”

“He had a great vision forthe company and I shardin that vision so it was aneasy partnership.” – Larry Bossidy

“But the General Electric strategy in management willbe to be #1 in everything we do.” – Welch in 1981  

“We were ahead of our time.  When IBM and other companies laid off armies 10 years later, it was well

accepted at that time to get leaner.  We were the first one and we were making money.  We had to compete against global competitors and we had to win.  Or else we are going to

go down the drain.”

“We  got all those businesses(from the purchase of RCA in1985) and then we end up after sold everything, we gotNBC for free.”

“Your test as a leader is to deal with whatever

hand you’ve been dealt.”

“People have to lead.  They got to know how to build great teams. They go to know how to give candid

appraisals.  They got to know how to communicate.”

“A leader focuses on shaping tomorrow.  There is little or

nothing you can do about yesterday.  Learn from it but don’t waste a moment on it. 

Get on with tomorrow.”

“He built people up.  He took great pride in

bringing people along.” – Matt Lauer

“There’s a gene of good managers and leaders.  And that gene is a generosity gene.  You LOVE to give raises to good stars.  It’s a turn-on to call them in, give them money, and give them a promotion.  It’s a big deal.”

“If you think he’s got that much of a vested interest in your well-being

and success, aren’t you going to work a lot harder for that guy.  You’ll do anything.  You’ll follow him into

the fires of hell just because he’s made you feel special.” – Lauer

“There was a heightened sense about performance.  Jack is very driven, has

a special way of creating collegiate competitiveness.” – Robert Nardelli

“What people didn’t recognize early in his career that they did

late in his career is he is compassionate and caring.  Nobody could work a room as well as Jack.” – Nardelli

“Jack is a master of the hand-written

note.” – Matt Lauer

“Another things great CEOs do is they, with their limited time and presence theyget personally involved in ways that are symbolic and they send a message.  Jack

was very famous for diving down into the details and asking people questions and

getting involved in nitty, gritty stuff.” - Michael Porter 

“A little fear never hurt.”

“You want your people to totally buy-in to what you’re

doing.  You don’t want them to be frightened of you.  You don’t

want any of that.  You want them to be constantly coming

in with ideas and open.” 

“To me, a conversation with Jack is more of an

interrogation than a conversation.” – Tim Newman

“I made choices, but the choices were choices

I wanted to make.”

What brings you joy today? – “My wife. I’vegot a great wife and I’m madly in love.  I amexcited everyday for our kids, my kids.”

“I lived my life always exactlyas I wanted to.  I’m not going

to do anything differently.”

“He’s always been special to me.”

– Robert Nardelli

“I think his legacy will be a guythat was a visionary.  A guy thatwas imminently practical.  And a person who insisted on gettingthings done.” – Larry Bossidy

“He was a tough love coach but

he was a coach.” – Steve Kerr

“Got to look at his legacy as what he created and a style of management.  A style that said embrace the people around you, and show them they are

important to you and they will do anything for you in return.” – Matt Lauer

When asked what are your regrets, Welch replies, “Regrets?  How can I have

regrets?…I’m the luckiest man alive.”

Thank You Very MuchSompong Yusoontorn