Description
Book SynopsisA Glimpse Behind the Facade of SuccessIn The Illusion of Invincibility, Paul Williams and Andreas Krebs take a no-punches-held look at the stories we tell ourselves about business success. The rags-to-riches tale is tempting, but we don’t have to search far to see that most organizations rise for a time, only to experience a dramatic fall from grace. Just look at some of the companies that used to be household names: Nokia, AOL, Pan Am, Woolworth and Blockbuster. Move from good to great. You’ll learn the secrets to clear-eyed, value-driven leadership with stories from top managers from international companies, major family businesses, start-ups, consulting firms, the public sector, and NGOs. They offer lessons on how to be a successful and reflective boss in an age of digitization and disruption. Each chapter includes a “stress test” to help you to take an honest look at your own organization and yourself. Can leaders today be inspired by the Incas? You may be surprised. When the authors added a few days to a business trip to Peru, instead of relaxing, they found themselves exploring one of the greatest civilizations in human history...with unexpected lessons about successful businesses and great leadership. The Illusion of Invincibility examines the why of success and failure. It’s a smart, funny, and radical look at how to build and sustain a great organization, inspired by those who have done it well...in today’s world and five hundred years ago.
Trade Review“This book is a must-read for both senior-level executives and those who aspire to lead someday. With clever use of a historical perspective, The Illusion of Invincibility offers insightful and innovative impulses in thinking that are firmly grounded in the modern business world.” Philip Anschutz, Businessman
Table of ContentsTable of Contents Foreword by Nik Gowing Foreword by Prof. Dr. Peter May The Unexpected Outcome of a Trip to Peru What Goes Up Must Come Down? A Look at the Fortune 500 Chapter 1: A Compelling Vision (or the Pitfalls of Ambition?) Chapter 2: Talent before Seniority (or the Creeping Danger of Mediocrity?) Chapter 3: Achieving Results through Others (or the Case of the Leader-Sham?) Chapter 4: Fair Play (or Just Pretending?) Chapter 5: Tackling the Real Opponent (or Are You Taking Your Eye off the Ball?) Chapter 6: A Farsighted M&A Strategy (or a License to Lose a Fortune?) Chapter 7: Sound Judgment? (Look Who’s Telling the Story!) Chapter 8: Ego Beats Reality (For Whom or for What Am I Doing This?) A Closing Word Epilogue: A Message from Peru by Dr. Max Hernandez Endnotes Bibliography Acknowledgments About Our Forewordists About Our Interview Partners About the Authors
