25% Return as Accountability Floor

“Nucor has consistently required its general managers agers to generate a return of at least 2 5 percent on the assets we place under their control. The assets belong to the shareholders of the company, and entrusting them to a general manager is like making a deposit at the bank. The shareholders have every right to expect a healthy return. "That's fine by me," Joe stresses. "I take the same approach with the people who work here in the division. sion. My department heads, the people in the control trol rooms ... they all spend thousands of dollars without anybody's approval. All of us can make that kind of decision, because all of us stand behind our decisions. We're accountable for getting the job done."”

“A LOT OF MANAGERS who want decision-making autonomy don't fully understand the responsibilities that come with that freedom. You have to accept that your operations will stand or fall on their own merits. its. There's no cavalry waiting to ride in to the rescue, cue, and no mega-corporation in which to hide. There's just you and those people working with you. Together, you'll find a way to succeed. Or you'll fail. So you'd better not forget how much is riding on your ability to communicate with employees.”