100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Overnight NZ-wide delivery on in-stock orders πŸš€

The Art of Action

How Leaders Close the Gaps between Plans, Actions and Results
4.32 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 1,209 ratings, 83 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Art of Action, Stephen Bungay explores how organisations can bridge the gap between strategy and execution by drawing insights from military history. It offers practical advice on how to implement effective leadership and clear communication to drive business success. The book demonstrates how understanding strategic intent and empowering teams can lead to more dynamic and adaptive business practices.
Read More
Format: Hardback
$6000
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in understanding how to bridge the gap between strategy and execution in business. It offers practical insights on how to improve organisational performance and achieve effective leadership. Perfect for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to enhance their decision-making and drive successful outcomes.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The 10th Anniversary Edition of the surprisingly common sense approach to leadership, based on tactics used by the nineteenth-century Prussian Army.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
The 10th Anniversary Edition of the Leadership Classic

The Art of Action by Stephen Bungay delves into the intricate dynamics of leadership and strategy in the modern business world. At its core, the book addresses the perennial management issue: how to effectively translate strategy into action. Through a fascinating lens, Bungay draws parallels between nineteenth-century Prussian military principles and contemporary business challenges, offering a unique and common-sense approach to leadership and operational effectiveness.

For over a decade, the approach known as 'mission command' has been taught at the prestigious HULT Ashridge International Business School. This method, originally utilised by the Prussian Army, has since revolutionised a myriad of industries, including pharmaceuticals and Formula 1 racing. Bungay's insight into this approach reveals how giving clear objectives but allowing freedom in execution empowers employees, fostering agility and innovation.

Embedded in the narrative is the powerful question: "What do you want me to do?" This query encapsulates the ongoing struggle of aligning managerial intent with practical execution. Bungay offers an old yet counter-intuitive solution that is impressively practical. The Art of Action provides a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on turning meticulous planning into effective execution and subsequently, tangible results.

Stephen Bungay leverages his extensive experience as a consultant, senior manager, and esteemed military historian to dissect the operational strategies of the Prussian Army. He illustrates how their agility was rooted in the autonomy granted to highly empowered junior officers. By drawing these historical lessons into a business context, Bungay equips modern leaders with strategies to build more effective and productive organisations.

The 10th Anniversary Edition of The Art of Action remains a seminal work in the field of leadership and management. Its enduring principles and insightful analysis continue to offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their ability to lead, strategise, and execute within their organisation.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Art of Action by Stephen Bungay is praised for its insightful exploration into business strategy and execution. Reviewers appreciate its historical references and clear, practical advice, making it a valuable resource for leaders seeking to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness. The book combines theory with real-world application, earning positive feedback for its engaging and informative content.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529376968

Publisher: John Murray Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 19 August 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Nicholas Brealey Publishing

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 158.0mm

Height: 238.0mm

Weight: 531g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Stephen Bungay is a Director of the Ashridge Strategic Management Centre in London and teaches on several executive programmes at Ashridge Executive Education. After completing his studies at Oxford and the University of Tubingen, he worked in the London and Munich offices of The Boston Consulting Group for 17 years and now works as an independent consultant and teacher and is a sought-after conference speaker. The approach described in The Art of Action has been adopted by a wide range of his clients ranging from mid-cap digital technology companies to major global corporates. An acclaimed military historian, Stephen has published two books in that field, The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain and Alamein, both with Aurum Press, and is a frequent contributor to television programmes, having appeared on Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC2, BBC4, and a range of satellite and cable channels around the world.

Also by Stephen Bungay

View all
  • The Most Dangerous Enemy
    The Most Dangerous Enemy: "The magnitude and vital importance of the Battle of Britain has found a superb chronicler in Stephen Bungay, whose book is the best single-volume history to be published in over a decade." - Andrew Roberts Stephen Bungay's magisterial history is acclaimed as the account of the Battle of Britain. Unrivalled for its synthesis of all previous...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Business & Entrepreneurship

View all
  • How To Be Wrong
    Sometimes the only way to be right is to get comfortable with being wrong. Most startup advice is dangerously misguided. The mythology of the lone genius founder, the obsession with capital raising, and the theatre of startup ecosystems lead countless ventures astray. Drawing on two decades at the heart of New Zealand's most successful technology companies – Trade Me, Xero,...
    Paperback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Roadmap to Property Success
    Ready to ditch the 9-to-5 and build lasting wealth through property? In Roadmap to Property Success, seasoned investor and coach Steve Goodey shares the exact strategies that helped him – and thousands of Kiwis – build sustainable property portfolios from scratch. With real-life lessons, hard-won wisdom, and zero sugar-coating, this is your no-BS guide to property investing in New Zealand....
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Shoe Dog
    Shoe Dog by Phil Knight is a riveting memoir that unveils the remarkable journey behind the creation of Nike, one of the world's most iconic and successful brands. Phil Knight's story begins in 1962, when fresh out of business school, he embarks on a daring entrepreneurial adventure with a radical premise: to import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Armed...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Business Made Simple
    Business Made Simple by Donald Miller is an essential guide for anyone looking to elevate their career and create a profitable business. This practical book offers sixty daily readings, each accompanied by insightful videos, designed to help professionals and business owners gain a clear understanding of how successful businesses operate. Rather than relying on theoretical knowledge, Miller shares actionable strategies...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
    In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. This time, he turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams. Kathryn Petersen,...
    Hardback
    $4700
    Elsewhere:
    $5199
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Good To Great
    Good to Great by Jim Collins is an authoritative guide that investigates what takes a company from mere mediocrity to exceptional greatness. This acclaimed work is based on a five-year research project comparing teams that made that leap to those that didn’t. Collins and his research team examined financial performance, management practices, and corporate culture to distill the essential factors...
    Hardback
    $5400
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • This Is Strategy
    From Seth Godin, one of the world's most influential business thinkers and bestselling author ofΒ This is Marketing, comes an essential guide to thinking strategically in a complex, ever-changing world."With his signature clarity and brevity, the marketing maven presents memorable, practical advice for making smarter plans." β€”Adam Grant, author of Think AgainIn this unique and thought-provoking book, Godin shares insights on...
    Paperback
    $3150
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Zero to One
    Zero to One by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel is a ground-breaking and thought-provoking examination of innovation and what it takes for a new company to prosper. Written by Peter Thiel, the co-founder of one of the most successful tech start-ups in history, this book provides a fresh perspective on how to build a valuable and unique enterprise in a...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition
    Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition by W. Chan Kim and RenΓ©e A. Mauborgne is an essential guide for anyone looking to transform their business strategies and leap into untapped market spaces. This acclaimed book illustrates how companies can break free from the traditional war of competition and instead, create their own "blue oceans" of uncontested market space. The authors delve...
    Hardback
    $5700
    Elsewhere:
    $6499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
    Explore the enlightened path to transformational business success with the updated and expanded edition of Jeffrey Liker's acclaimed work, The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer. Delve into the legendary business philosophy that has placed Toyota at the pinnacle of global manufacturing excellence. In this highly anticipated update, Jeffrey Liker refines and broadens the...
    Hardback
    $8500
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • High Output Management
    High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove is a legendary business book and a Silicon Valley staple. Written by the former chairman and CEO of Intel, it offers invaluable insights into the art of managing and running a successful company. This practical handbook provides guidance for navigating real-life business scenarios and serves as a powerful manifesto that has the potential...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • How to Grow Your Small Business
    The Wall Street Journal Bestseller For so many entrepreneurs, running a small business ended up looking different than they imagined. They’re stressed, discouraged, and not confident in their plan for growth. In How to Grow Your Small Business, Donald Miller gives entrepreneurs a 6-step plan to grow their businesses so they produce dependable, predictable results. Using the exact steps you’ll...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.