Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done

Name: Michael Yates

Occupation: I.T./Comms for the navy & drummer

Neighborhood: Kensington

Where Interviewed: San Diego Coffee, Tea & Spice IN Kensington

What book are you currently reading?What page are you on?

"Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan. I'm on 208."

Tell me about the book.

"It's about execution -- about following through as a leader. Basically, different thought processes on how to lead. How to make sure you get the job done. I was kind of thrown into leadership, so I was, like, man, gotta learn. I'm learning the hard way, so I might as well learn from the pros. It talks about how to group people, the right people with the right job, how to interview, how to counsel people without a terrible result. Things that would benefit the company, how to fire people. It is a lot of what I'm doing now as a supervisor. I need to study a little better."

What do you make of the argument?

"It's all right. I've been pretty busy, so I haven't been able to keep up with it. I haven't been too consistent with using it."

Tell me about the style and language?

"It's not comical -- it's definitely from their experience. It's not like they try to get your attention with a joke. It's strictly from their experience."

Compare this with other books you've read.

"It's kind of dry. I'll read something, then I'll think about it. I'll kind of reminisce, think, like, oh, man, I should have done it like that. I'll think how I handled a situation really badly compared to how they do. This is the first management book I've read."

What book was most life-changing for you?

"None, really."

Who are your favorite authors?

"I just read a book called Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman. It was pretty interesting. It's a pop study -- you can't really put it down; you want to read it all the way through. It's kind of satirical, pokes fun at people in a critical way. I've read a lot of Dan Brown. In fact, The Da Vinci Code was what got me back into reading. I'd heard about it, and the whole thing with Mary Magdalene just got me into it. I've read all his books -- highly recommended. Angels & Demons is a really good one.

What magazines or newspapers do you read?

"Some magazines, Health , Runner, bike-type magazines. The Reader once in a while. I read the music sections."

Do you talk to your friends about reading?

"With The Da Vinci Code, a buddy of mine recommended it. We talked about how some Christians are really hard-core about what they believe in, and how that book really started some stories and freaked everybody out. It's cool that a book can do that."