Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company

Written by Andrew S. Grove

Narrated by Jason Leikam

Andy Grove, founder and former CEO of Intel shares his strategy for success as he takes the listener deep inside the workings of a major company in Only the Paranoid Survive.

Under Andy Grove's leadership, Intel became the world's largest chip maker and one of the most admired companies in the world. In Only the Paranoid Survive, Grove reveals his strategy for measuring the nightmare moment every leader dreads--when massive change occurs and a company must, virtually overnight, adapt or fall by the wayside--in a new way.

Grove calls such a moment a Strategic Inflection Point, which can be set off by almost anything: mega-competition, a change in regulations, or a seemingly modest change in technology. When a Strategic Inflection Point hits, the ordinary rules of business go out the window. Yet, managed right, a Strategic Inflection Point can be an opportunity to win in the marketplace and emerge stronger than ever.

Grove underscores his message by examining his own record of success and failure, including how he navigated the events of the Pentium flaw, which threatened Intel's reputation in 1994, and how he has dealt with the explosions in growth of the Internet. The work of a lifetime, Only the Paranoid Survive is a classic of managerial and leadership skills.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ascent Audio
• Release date: Jun 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663727978

Reviews for Only the Paranoid Survive

[OmarEl-Mohri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An old book but among those with a solid foundation in management

[kwidya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good to encourage ourself to always adapt with every change

[C Daub · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The clear articulation of the problems in manufacturing and corporate style was helpful in realizing our own abilities are strengthened through committed drive to bring change not only for ourselves but for the common goal of all. In availing the understandings and learned response from so many peers, even the "other side" we are able to build a stronger community in our work force. Extending this into our personal lives build stronger family and helps to support each other.

[watson_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an interesting book telling of the rise of Intel and how Intel was able to survive in a very fast-moving industry.The book was written in 1996. Many business books can quickly date themselves. However, Grove's analysis of where the internet was going proves to be quite accurate. I thought that is was no wonder he did so well guiding Intel.

[miro_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A magnificent book about strategic analysis and action in fast changing environments. There are lots of ways to fail (hence the paranoia) which he discusses in a straightforward way. He emphasises the vital importance of information gathering and the need for an adaptive organization to hold the contradictory abilities of fluidity (in adaption phases) and rigidity (in implementaion phases).

[jontseng · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Grove achieves the rare feat of tying grand strategic principles into practical, understandable examples. The greatest testament to this book is that it is just as significant in a post-Bubble world as when it was written in 1996. An outstanding example of strategy from a practitioners' perspective.

[dsd_9 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book provides an interesting look into the rise of Intel up until 1996. Obviously a lot has changed since but the lessons that Andrw Grove brings to light still remain, mostly, valid. If you're wanting to learn a little bit about how Intel got to be where it is today and the business decisions behind it, this is a good book to start with. The "management speak" can get a bit heavy at times though but fortunately it's a short book.From the back cover - Under Andy Grove's leadership, Intel has become the world's largest computer chipmaker, the 5th most admired company in America, and the 7th most profitable among Fortune 500.Grove attributes his success to the philosophy and strategy he has learned the hard way as he has steered Intel through a series of potential major disasters he calls strategic inflection points (SIPs) - the moments in any business when massive change occurs.