An expert on ethical leadership analyzes the complicated history of business people who tried to marry the pursuit of profits with virtuous organizational practices—from British industrialist Robert Owen to American retailer John Cash Penney and jeans maker Levi Strauss to such modern-day entrepreneurs Anita Roddick and Tom Chappell.
Today’s business leaders are increasingly pressured by citizens, consumers, and government officials to address urgent social and environmental issues. Although some corporate executives remain deaf to such calls, over the last two centuries, a handful of business leaders in America and Britain have attempted to create business organizations that were both profitable and socially responsible.
In The Enlightened Capitalists, James O’Toole tells the largely forgotten stories of men and women who adopted forward-thinking business practices designed to serve the needs of their employees, customers, communities, and the natural environment. They wanted to prove that executives didn’t have to make trade-offs between profit and virtue.
Combining a wealth of research and vivid storytelling, O’Toole brings life to historical figures like William Lever, the inventor of bar soap who created the most profitable company in Britain and used his money to greatly improve the lives of his workers and their families. Eventually, he lost control of the company to creditors who promptly terminated the enlightened practices he had initiated—the fate of many idealistic capitalists.
As a new generation attempts to address social problems through enlightened organizational leadership, O’Toole explores a major question being posed today in Britain and America: Are virtuous corporate practices compatible with shareholder capitalism?
In Leading Change, James O'Toole argues that outdated Machiavellian dictates of situational leadership are ultimately ineffective - and demonstrates instead that successful leadership is rooted in high moral purpose and consistent respect for followers.
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In this brief and timely audio book, the authors look at what conspires against "a culture of candor" in organizations for disastrous results and suggest ways that leaders can achieve healthy honesty and openness. In three separate essays the authors explore the lightening rod concept of "transparency" which has fast become the buzzword not only in business and corporate settings but in government and the social sector.
The audio book starts with a preface by Warren Bennis, followed by three essays:
-- The New Transparency
-- Speaking Truth to Power
-- Creating a Culture of Candor
Pragmatically focused on the actions that one can take, this unique work delivers ninety-one pithy lessons in the fine art of leadership. Author James O'Toole packs thirty years of leadership coaching experience into a one-of-a-kind guide you can reference for expert advice on how to become a superior leader. The one- to two-page sections are alphabetically arranged for easy reference and address such topics as getting started, communication, delegation, trust, and vision. Throughout, O'Toole invests his lessons with examples of great leaders in action to show readers precisely what to do to accomplish the same goals. It's like having your own personal leadership coach in book form.
