500 CEOs: Lessons From The Heart - Paperback

by Gordon Holbein Ph. D. (Author)

500 CEOs: Lessons From The Heart is the product of nearly seven-hundred interviews with corporate leaders working in dozens of industries among thirteen nations in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Although each interview covered a wide variety of topics mainly focused on corporate strategy, the concluding question was the most evocative: "What advice do you have for those who are early in their careers?" Without exception, the tone of conversation would shift noticeably. These experienced and successful leaders opened their hearts in a great act of mentorship. Their reflections are wide-ranging, diverse, direct and provocative. But most of all, their words are clearly heartfelt. Not surprisingly, these CEOs had a great deal to say about career development, leadership, problem-solving and decision-making, communication skills, networking, education and learning. Those words are applicable to all who are striving to make their work more effective. Yet the most heartfelt and evocative messages came as these leaders opened up about things such as passion, ethics and integrity, humility, risk-taking, mistakes and failure, touch and intuition. Those words are lessons for all people in all stages of life. Whether you work in the corporate world, or simply want to reflect on great themes of life, this book offers growth opportunities for everyone. Wander through its observations, advice and challenges slowly. Take in just a bit at a time. Put it down, and apply its keys in your days. Then share your growth with others.

Author Biography

Gordon F. Holbein, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Leadership at the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky. He was born and raised near Syracuse, NY, and went to school in New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania, but much prefers Kentucky's milder climate! Gordon's education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Dartmouth College, an M.B.A. from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in Strategy and Leadership from The Pennsylvania State University. He has twelve years of work experience in bank management in New York, predominantly in branch management, product management and strategic planning. His consulting experience extends across organizations in the automotive, healthcare, financial services and technology industries, and he has worked with a variety of not-for-profit organizations as well. Dr. Holbein's academic career spans more than twenty-five years of university teaching at UK, Penn State, Syracuse University, and Northern Kentucky University. His main areas of expertise are Strategic Management, Leadership Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Global Management. Professor Holbein left the ranks of the University of Kentucky's research faculty in order to pursue a full-time teaching career in 2000, and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2007. He teaches in UK's undergraduate, graduate and executive education programs. Dr. Holbein has been recognized by the University of Kentucky's College of Education as a "Teacher Who Made A Difference" on three occasions, has been cited for excellence in teaching by Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity and the UK Panhellenic Council, and in 2012 was named UK's best professor in the Kentucky Kernel's "Best Of UK" awards. He has also been awarded the Humana Corporation Teaching Innovation Grant three times. Gordon has been a featured speaker for the Emerging Leader Institute, the University of Kentucky Student Activities Board's "Final Word" symposium, and in the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society's guest lecturer series.