Managers' Top Priority Is Communication, Guru Says; Management Leader Welch Stresses Candor, Honesty with Employees

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Byline: TIMOTHY J. GIBBONS, The Times-Union

Former General Electric head Jack Welch touted the value of transparency, candor and self-confidence during a speech Tuesday night at the Florida Theatre in which he challenged managers to communicate with their workers and told employees they have to shine.

"The real test of stuff is how you handle adversity," Welch said. "You can't ever let yourself be a victim."

Welch spent 40 years at GE, taking over as its youngest chief executive officer and chairman in 1981.

Famed for his management techniques, Welch spent a good part of the evening talking about the importance of candor in both large and small …