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Becoming Hewlett Packard

Why Strategic Leadership Matters
Summary:

The book examines the evolution of Hewlett Packard through the lens of strategic leadership, analyzing how the company's unique management style and corporate culture influenced its growth and transformation over several decades. It provides insights into the decision-making processes, leadership transitions, and strategic shifts that shaped HP's journey from a small electronics manufacturer to a global technology giant.

Key points:

1. Strategic Leadership Model: The book presents a model linking HP's success to the synergy between its strategy, leadership, and culture. It shows how HP's leaders made strategic choices influenced by the company's values, helping it overcome challenges.

2. The HP Way: The book discusses "The HP Way," HP's unique culture focusing on innovation, respect, customer service, and employee autonomy. This culture was vital in guiding HP's strategic decisions and adaptability.

3. Evolution of Strategy: HP's strategy changed over time, shifting from innovation to diversification, then focusing on core strengths. These changes were responses to market competition, tech advances, and internal factors like leadership changes.

4. Role of Leadership Transitions: The book emphasizes the impact of CEO transitions on HP's strategy. It suggests that aligning new leaders with HP's culture and vision is crucial for the company's continued success.

5. Adaptive Capacity: The authors stress the importance of an organization's ability to adapt to external changes. HP's adaptability, through learning, experimentation, and reinvention, is seen as key to its success, with strategic leadership playing a vital role in supporting this adaptability.

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