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Book Review: “Leadership through Disruption” by Andrew Liveris

Book Review: “Leadership through Disruption” by Andrew Liveris

Author: Andrew Liveris

Date of Publication: 2021

Title: Leadership through Disruption

Publisher: Wiley

ISBN: 978-1119606041

Introduction

In “Leadership through Disruption,” Andrew Liveris, the former CEO and Chairman of The Dow Chemical Company, covers the essence of leadership in times of significant change and uncertainty.

Core Themes

“Leadership through Disruption” revolves around several themes that are useful for understanding the dynamics of leading in turbulent times:

1. Adaptability and Resilience: Liveris emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in leadership. He argues that leaders must be prepared to pivot and adjust their strategies in response to changing circumstances. This theme is particularly relevant in the context of global crises, technological advancements, and shifting market dynamics.

2. Innovation and Sustainability: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the intersection of innovation and sustainability. Liveris advocates for a forward-thinking approach where leaders not only focus on profitability but also consider the long-term impact of their decisions on the environment and society.

3. Global Perspective: Drawing from his global experiences, Liveris underscores the importance of having a global perspective. He discusses the benefits and challenges of operating in diverse markets and the need for leaders to be culturally aware and sensitive.

4. Ethical Leadership: The book stresses the importance of ethical leadership. Liveris highlights the role of integrity, transparency, and accountability in building trust and credibility with stakeholders.

5. Technological Disruption: Liveris addresses the rapid pace of technological change and its implications for leadership. He discusses how leaders can harness technology to drive innovation and stay ahead of the competition.

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the Dynamics of Discovery

From Archimedes to Edison, attempts to improve quality of life have dictated a need for advances in science and technology. These advances are now widely understood as the key enablers of increasingly prosperous societies.Despite this long history, the process of managing the expanding frontiers of new knowledge in a way that will benefit society is a work in progress. This is largely due to the unpredictable nature of scientific discovery most famously illustrated by Archimedes, when, upon stepping into the bath, he suddenly realised that the volume of water displaced was equal to the volume of the submerged portion of his body.

His discovery provided the solution to the previously intractable problem of measuring the volume of irregular objects and led to further advances in assessing the density and purity of precious metals among other things. In the modern world little has changed in how new knowledge is acquired. However, in an attempt to get the best value for their limited investments, governments have devised processes to manage its discovery.

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create your own star performance

When it was published in 2013 The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation by Jon Gertner received wide favourable comment.  Re-Reading it recently reminded me of an earlier assessment that is relevant in a era where business is acutely conscious of the need to manage talent.

Here is a checklist of behaviours and attitudes encouraged in staff by Bell Labs in an effort to create star performers.

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