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The Crux

How Leaders Become Strategists

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The Crux

By: Richard Rumelt
Narrated by: Charles Constant, Richard Rumelt
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About this listen

The most important part of a leader's job is to set in motion the actions today that will build a better future tomorrow—in other words, strategy. But how do leaders become strategists?

In this groundbreaking book, Richard Rumelt, the world's leading authority on strategy, shows how finding the crux of a challenge is the essence of the strategist's skill. The crux is the key issue where action will best pay off, and Rumelt reveals how to pinpoint it so you can focus energy on what really matters. Drawing on decades of professional and academic experience, and through vivid storytelling—from Elon Musk's decision-making to Netflix's industry dominance—Rumelt illuminates how leaders can overcome obstacles, navigate uncertainty and determine the best path forward.

Strategy is not about setting financial targets, statements of desired outcomes or performance goals, it is about finding the crux and taking decisive, coherent action.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Richard Rumelt (P)2025 Penguin Random House LLC Career Success Leadership Management Management & Leadership Motivation & Self-Improvement Personal Development Personal Success Business Career Inspiring Software Development
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This is the book every business leader must read. It prompts the reader to go through a lot of critical thinking while delivering a great amount of invaluable information.

Finally another great book

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Highly recommend this book, I like the view on purpose, vision and mission statements - all not a strategy

Down the earth, scientific but practical guidance!

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If you have read Good Strategy Bad Strategy, this book develops the core themes further with more recent examples.

Loved the chapter that contrasts certain business models such as platforms, and Rumelt’s focus of the “crux”.

Very helpful for the aspiring entrepreneur executive seeking to focus on challenges a business can face that it can actually overcome (or at least have a chance of overcoming).

Focused and Relevant

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Richard Rumelt has an ability to turn what could be a dour subject into inspirational and practical guide to direction. Supported by case studies extracted from his portfolio of work, we gain a deeper approach for how we approach challenges and treat challenges as strategy. I will use the work in our challenge programmes and model the Foundary into our Weaves.

Another excellent and informative listen

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Excellent follow up to Good Strategy Bad Strategy! Highly recommended for anyone that wants to craft a winning strategy

Very practical and insightful

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