JACK WELCH—PRODUCER OF GREAT INDUSTRIAL LEADERS

General Electric is universally acknowledged as a talent machine for American industry. Hundreds of stellar managers have emerged from GE to lead the star performing companies of the late 20th century and into the 21st century. All of this was due to one man and the management philosophy and system he developed

But this man, Welch, was not born with this ability. He admits he learned it from his mother, Grace. His father was a railroad ticket-taker who was not motivated to succeed. Jack says that his mother loved to play Gin Rummy. In the beginning when he was very young, she beat him every time. But eventually he learned to turn those defeats around. And this determination to win never left him throughout his long career. Along the way little Jack also became a leader in every sport he played.

Welch’s ability at self-promotion never left him either as he literally fought his way up the ladder, against tremendous odds, at the only company he ever worked for. As he neared the top, he declared to all who would listen, that only businesses that were first or second in their segments would survive in the GE corporate structure. So for his managers, fear of being sold or sacked quickly made them outperform most others. It really made iron-men with take-no-prisoners mentalities out of all of them.

GE continues today, without Jack, but with his protégé, Jeff Immelt in the head position. He may turn out to be just as tough or even tougher than Welch. Jack goes on to teach and inspire future industry leaders and we hope he will go on forever.