The American dream - Jack Welch, son of a railway conductor, became Chairman and CEO of one of the world's most profitable companies, General Electric. When he became CEO in 1981 the company was worth $12 billion, but after 20 years its value had gone up to $280 billion. This book describes how he revolutionised GE's corporate culture with his personal management style, blending individual appreciation of each of his 500 managers, with commitment to an informal but driven work style and the encouragement of candour.