Rating: 
Summary: Exceptional book by a man to be admired
Review: Reviewing Mr. George's book and reducing its rating to a single star system is an awkward proposition. To arrive at the 4 evaluation, I rate the book at a 5 for intention and a 3 for execution. To begin, Bill George correctly identifies the need for stronger morally grounded leadership in our country. He clearly understands the jaded perspective much of our citizenry views government and big-business. In the book he begins to address this and discuss his work history at Medtronic. Part autobiography, part societal reformer, part business lesson, as a whole the work does not clearly achieve any single goal. But it fails to do so in a compelling and interesting manner. It is my fervent desire to see Mr. George put forth an additional effort addressing the leadship issue and driving the point home.
Rating: 
Summary: An Initial Foray Begs another Charge
Review: Reviewing Mr. George's book and reducing its rating to a single star system is an awkward proposition. To arrive at the 4 evaluation, I rate the book at a 5 for intention and a 3 for execution. To begin, Bill George correctly identifies the need for stronger morally grounded leadership in our country. He clearly understands the jaded perspective much of our citizenry views government and big-business. In the book he begins to address this and discuss his work history at Medtronic. Part autobiography, part societal reformer, part business lesson, as a whole the work does not clearly achieve any single goal. But it fails to do so in a compelling and interesting manner. It is my fervent desire to see Mr. George put forth an additional effort addressing the leadship issue and driving the point home.
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Invitation
Review: The day after I read this brilliant book, I read an article in the Dallas Morning News (Tuesday, September 30, 2003) in which sportswriter Gerry Fraley discusses the Minnesota Twins whose payroll is $110-million less than that of the Yankees. (The Twins won 90 games this past season and had just defeated the Yankees in the first game of the American league playoffs.) As Fraley notes, the Twins are renowned for how they treat their people. One of them is Al Newman who is currently struggling with a life-threatening illness. Here's a brief excerpt from Fraley's article: "When beloved third-base coach Al Newman was hospitalized in Chicago this month because of a brain hemorrhage, general manager Terry Ryan remained with him for the entire 11-day stay. While Newman was hospitalized, the Twins clinched the Central title at home. Manager Ron Gardenshire stopped the postgame celebration, brought out Newman's uniform top and reminded the crowd of what he had done for the club." If I understand George's key points in Authentic Leadership, both Ryan and Gardenshire offer examples of it. Specifically, they demonstrate "the highest integrity, [are] committed to building enduring organizations...who have a deep sense of purpose and are true to their core values...who have the courage to build their companies to meet the needs of all stakeholders, and who recognize the importance of their service to society." George addresses what he views as a need for new leadership when in fact the need is to increase the number of authentic leaders, not only in business but in government, religion, and the military. We need more men and women who "genuinely desire to serve others through their leadership...are more interested in empowering the people they lead to make a difference than they are in power, money, or prestige for themselves. They are as guided by qualities of the heart, by passion and compassion, as they are by qualities of the mind." George invites, indeed urges his reader to "rediscover the secrets of creating lasting value" in literally all areas of contemporary life. On page 6, he poses a series of questions and then in the 17 chapters and Epilogue which follow, he responds to each. However insightful those responses may be, and they are, I think the primary purpose of the questions is to guide and inform each reader's consideration of the various issues which those questions suggest. With all due respect to what George so generously shares from his own life and career, the nature and extent of the reader's own engagement in self-exploration will ultimately determine the value of this book. The material is exceptionally well-organized. The quality of writing is first-rate, and especially effective because of the conversational tone of George's observations and suggestions. Although there are frequent references in this book to "companies," the questions posed and the issues associated with them are also directly relevant to all other organizations (regardless of size or nature) in which there is a compelling need for authentic leaders. Daily, it seems, there is evidence of such need in news accounts of corruption in all areas of our society. Corporate executives are indicted and convicted of fraud. Officers in the military are demoted, discharged or, in some instances, imprisoned as are clergy in various denominations. Although the reasons for their behavior vary, all of them betrayed the trust of those to whom they were accountable and for whom they were responsible. Authentic leaders are first and foremost authentic human beings. For me, this is George's key point and because it seems so obvious, it may also seem simplistic. On the contrary, he has cut through all the rhetoric and urges his reader to examine her or his core values. For most of us, that is an immensely difficult, perhaps painful experience. In this context, I am reminded of the fact that in The Inferno, Dante reserved the last and worst ring in hell for those who, in a moral crisis, preserve their neutrality. Throughout all manner of organizations, there are women and men who are authentic leaders and should be commended. The reality is, their respective organizations need more of them. More to the point, all of us in our global community need more of them. In his unique and compelling book, George challenges us to join their number.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for the next generation of business leaders
Review: The leaders of tomorrow are starting on their path today. "Authentic Leadership" gives perspective on the recent corporate scandals and greed while offering hope for the future. That hope is illustrated through specific pillars and telling examples experienced by Bill George in his 10 years at the helm of industry-leader Medtronic.
"Authentic Leadership" is written in a digestable fashion that will give hungry leaders of tomorrow a template for a rewarding and valuable experience in business.
Rating:
Summary: Why Publishers Weekly?
Review: The stupid Publishers Weekly review makes me mad.P>In any case, this is a fabulous book that will inspire many to be better managers. Bill George is the CEO-du-jour, but he speaks to people on many levels. I think it's sad that so few people get celebrated the way Mr George does, but on the other hand, maybe it will make a difference among leaders at companies large and small. One day, people will cite this book as the inspiration for change in so many areas.
Rating:
Summary: There is a better way to lead: Ethical Leadership
Review: This book describes timeless leadership principles by a man who, as he writes, has spent his entire life learning and working to become a better leader. Bill George has written an inspiring book for all who aspire to be good leaders. He states his case for authentic leadership: values centered and performance oriented, using a candid and open style. He writes about his many experiences in a leadership role: as CEO of Medtronic, and with Litton, and Honeywell - describing challenges leaders face and how they deal with them. Personally, I like to read and understand more about leadership - what is being a good, effective leader. This book appeals to me because it seems to confirm what I feel is important about being a good business leader: "Good leaders are people of the highest integrity, true to their core values, with the courage to build enduring organizations to meet the needs of all their stakeholders, and who recognize the importance of their service to society" (Bill George, slightly re-written). I recommend this book to all who wish to understand more about leadership, and what it is to be a good leader.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and powerful
Review: This book is a must read for anyone looking ahead to a career or simply evaluating one's experience to date. As a young professional just starting out, I have been asking the really tough questions and disappointingly, I have found little in the way of sound guidance or inspiration from the ranks of professional business. With so many bad examples out there, this book is a beacon of refreshingly candid yet practical and specific ideas for how to succeed in business (and life) in an environment fogged over by relativism, denial, and justification for why business is the way that it is. The author not only refutes the common perception that ethics and business don't mix, but also illustrates with clarity how one can live and act with principles--And that doing so will lead to exceptional performance, success, and impact.
Rating:
Summary: Get to the nitty gritty and then optimize it
Review: This book is a welcome addition to the current plethora of books on leadership because it takes leaders back to the basics. When leaders and corporations are not held accountable for their actions, greed can become the primary motivator. I recommend this book because it shows you what to avoid and where to start. I also recommend Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self as the definitive guide for personal and corporate optimization. When leaders and employees have the mental tool to be their best, they know how to make the most of every situation. Functioning as peak performers (optimizers), they do not need to manipulate others or act out of integrity. Read both of these books and give them to your staff.
Rating:
Summary: Defines what a leader and company should aspire to
Review: This book restored my faith in CEOs and corporate America, just knowing that there was one person in the world who could write a book this motivating. It also gave me a much better understanding of the pressures and choices that they have to make on a daily basis, while still trying to hold true to a company's mission and deliver value to shareholders. The only bad thing is that this made me a little bit depressed about my current place of employ; I couldn't tell you that I "feel" our mission, or even that I've ever met anybody above my current manager in the hierarchy to understand what they feel about it. Sure, I have my personal motivation, and my product has a mission, but as a company, I'd love to have what he brought to Medtronics.
Rating:
Summary: There is a better way to lead: Ethical Leadership
Review: This books describes timeless leadership princibles by a man who, as he descibes, has spent his entire life learning and working to become a better leader. Bill George has written an inspiring book for all who aspire to be good leaders. He states his case for authentic leadership: values centered and performance oriented, using a candid and open style. He writes about his many experiences in a leadership role: as CEO of Medtronic, and with Litton, and Honeywell - describing challenges leaders face and how they deal with them. Personally, I like to read and understand more leadership - what is being a good, effective leader. This book appeals to me because it seems to confirm what I feel is important about being a good business leader: "Good leaders are people of the highest integrity, true to their core values, with the courage to build enduring organizations to meet the needs of all their stakeholders, and who recogize the importance of their service to society" (Bill George). I recommend this book to all who wish to understand more about leadership, and what it is to be a good leader.
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