I picked up this autobiography after watching Bill in one of SAP's annual meetings. His charisma is extraordinary and after reading his book I got to know the journey which made him what he is today.
"Winners Dream" is a book written by Bill McDermott, former CEO of SAP, in which he shares his personal journey and the lessons he learned while leading various companies and eventually SAP to become one of the largest and most successful software companies in the world. The book provides insights into the strategies, mindset, and leadership principles that helped him achieve his success.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of having a clear and compelling vision to guide the organization. McDermott emphasizes the need for strong leadership to drive change and achieve success, and the value of diversity and inclusion in fostering innovation and growth. The book also highlights the importance of having a customer-centric approach, understanding their needs, and building a culture of accountability and transparency.
Additionally, the book emphasizes the need to embrace digital transformation and stay ahead of technological advancements, as well as the value of continuous learning and growth in order to stay competitive. He also stresses the importance of building a strong and engaged workforce, being adaptable and flexible in order to navigate the ever-changing business landscape, and having a long-term perspective and staying focused on the end goal.
Overall, "Winners Dream" is a valuable read for anyone looking to gain insights into the leadership strategies and mindset needed to achieve success in business.
Never let the circumstances of a moment supersede the size of your dreams. Rules, assumptions, and doubts should be no match for your will, creativity, and hard work. If you want something, you should be able to find a way.
Who are your customers? What did they want where your offering can add unique value?
"Everybody is an expert in something." (Everyone you will ever meet, knows something you don't) - Bill Nye
True listening requires a setting aside of one self, setting aside your personal opinion.
Be really interested in the other. Prepare to be amazed !
The most important thing is to found out what their desires were, and making the connection between that and what you have to offer and fast.
Walk into office and try to figure out people’s moods, their needs, their desires. Have your agenda for sure, but also have an interest in others’ agendas.
Positively distinguish yourself from others who worked on the same position as you: How would you handle your first hundred days in your new job?
Try to convey how you are different. Not necessarily better but different and how this difference can be beneficial for someone.
As a manager, you should try to be a servant manager who is there to serve their team to deliver their best every single day.
People get most inspired not by money but by purpose.
Try to work for a company that inspires you!
Xerox’s founder Joe Wilson: the customer and the customer alone determines whether or not each of us has a job.
Everyone needs to start taking responsibility and questioning the status quo, and see opportunities where he or she saw dust or defeat.
The most powerful thing a leader can do is change minds.
Business story is way more important than technology story.
Find the desire of everyone who works for you and help them achieve their desire.
You can't get a different business outcome if you continue to do the same things.
Questions to ask: who are your customers ? What do they want ?
If you do not give customers what they wanted in the form they wanted it, someone else would.
The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
Is the idea desirable? Do people want it? Is it feasible? Could it be built to work? Is the idea viable as a business? Will people pay for it? - in short (need, feasibility, business case)
A leader’s role, however, is not just to dream but to architect dreams into reality.
Leadership is not about providing all the answers but about looking for and presenting the next questions.
