Doing the Right Things Right by Laura Stack Summary
Overview of Doing the Right Things Right
Laura Stack's "Doing the Right Things Right" transforms Peter Drucker's leadership philosophy for today's executives. Brian Tracy called it "21st century efficiency reinvented." With its 3T Leadership Model, this book answers the question every leader asks: How can I achieve more with less effort?
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Key takeaways
When Being Busy Isn't Enough
Ever noticed how the busiest people aren't always the most successful? You could work 80-hour weeks, attend endless meetings, and still feel like you're spinning your wheels. Here's why: there's a fundamental difference between motion and progress. Since Peter Drucker distinguished between "doing things right" (efficiency) and "doing the right things" (effectiveness) in 1967, the business world has evolved dramatically. Today's leaders can't choose one or the other-they need both simultaneously. This concept of "efficient effectiveness" represents the sweet spot where strategic vision meets flawless execution. Think of it like a GPS system: effectiveness ensures you're heading to the right destination, while efficiency determines whether you take the scenic route or the highway. In our hyper-connected, rapidly changing business environment, mastering this balance isn't optional-it's survival. Leadership has fundamentally transformed from command-and-control to something more nuanced and collaborative. The 3T Leadership Model breaks down what modern executives actually do into three interconnected dimensions: Strategic Thinking (THINK), Team Focus (TEAM), and Tactical Work (TACTICS). What makes this framework powerful is its recognition that leadership isn't one-size-fits-all. Senior leaders spend most time on strategic thinking, then team development, then tactics. Directors flip the priority to team, strategy, tactics. Managers focus on team, tactics, strategy. Individual contributors concentrate on tactics, team, strategy. Notice how "team" appears in every configuration? That's intentional. The old image of the isolated genius leader is dead. Even perceived lone wolves like Einstein and Steve Jobs surrounded themselves with talented collaborators. Your role as a leader increasingly resembles that of an orchestra conductor-you're not playing every instrument, but you're ensuring everyone plays in harmony toward a shared vision.
Strategy Isn't Planning-It's Deciding What Matters
Building Teams That Actually Work
Motivation, Loyalty, and Engagement
Accountability and Personal Growth
Agility and Building Resilient Systems
The Balanced Leader
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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