Join Chuck Firlotte on Heart to Heart, a podcast series on leadership from the Welch College of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University, as he sits down with authors Ted Mann and Tom Gryta. They discuss their book, "Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and The Fall of General Electric," offering a fascinating look into the complexities of GE's leadership transitions, corporate culture, and strategic missteps.

In this insightful conversation, Ted and Tom, both former Wall Street Journal journalists, delve into:

• Their journalism careers: Hear about their journeys in writing and how they came to cover General Electric.
  
  
• The challenge of covering GE: Understand the intricate and often intentionally complicated nature of reporting on such a massive corporation.
  
  
• The succession of leadership: Explore the transition from Jack Welch to Jeff Immelt and the differing leadership styles and challenges faced by each CEO.
  
  
• The role of pride and delusion: Discover how a culture of exceptionalism and an unwillingness to confront difficult truths contributed to GE's decline.
  
  
• The impact of external factors: Learn how events like 9/11, Enron, and Sarbanes-Oxley influenced GE's trajectory.
  
  
• The board's effectiveness: A critical look at the GE board's coziness and its role in oversight and decision-making.
  
  
• Lessons for corporate leadership: Gain valuable insights for aspiring and seasoned leaders on the importance of fundamentals, skepticism, and fostering open dialogue.
  
  
• GE today: An update on the company's current state and the reasons behind its breakup into distinct entities.
  
  

This discussion offers a compelling narrative of a corporate giant and provides essential lessons on leadership, governance, and the importance of adapting to a changing world.
SPONSORED BY: Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport CT and Ganim Financial Management, Shelton CT