Guts!: Companies That Blow the Doors Off Business-As-Usual

Kevin and Jackie Freiberg have done it again. In "Nuts!" they told the story of the growth of a fledgling airline that has grown to lead the industry today. In their new book "Guts!" they have once again placed their fingers on the pulse of business success and share with us stories of triumph. What is apparent after reading this book is that to create a successful business you must create a customer base that sings your companies praises loud and strong to anyone who will listen. But, to do that effectively you must first create a working environment that causes your employees to sing your companies praises louder and stronger! This is exactly what the business leaders in "Guts!" have done. Kevin and Jackie not only tell the story of business leaders that have vision, they tell the stories of business leaders capable of turning their vision into action.Being a visionary is not all there is to being a leader. Being a leader that can transfer that vision into action is what Champions are made of. "Guts!" gives us dynamic examples of Champions who care enough to give the whole 9 yards. This book is a "Must Read" for anyone responsible for the well being of people.

The Friebergs have met their own mission "to tell stories that improve organizations and inspire people to live bigger, better, more fulfilling lives." Backed by years of research and interviews, Guts! gives voice to a disparate group of business leaders who show us that vision, passion, living one's values, and treating people with openness and trust are the keys to greatness. Like Nuts!, Guts! is a different kind of business book. Most are either dry (and boring) or simple "enter-trainment" (fluff without substance). This book is a delight to read. It's written using the same principles it espouses for business: it's fun, different, creative and gutsy. And filled to the brim with practical advice that can and should be used by anyone - business owners and men and women at all levels in their organizations. The Gut Checks are especially good as both summaries of the information and guidelines for the reader's own actions.The principles in Guts! aren't just great business ideas; they make sense for any organization. Imagine these principles in use in schools, government institutions, in fact in human relationships in any setting. The book inspired me. I read it and found myself dreaming of great new ideas for use with my business clients, my university students, and my family. I am giving copies to everyone.

I didn't expect the Freibergs to actually surpass their first book, NUTS!-but they did! This book is another illuminating journey that shatters the status quo and kick-starts a re-evaluation of goals and what constitutes accomplishment. They present real life examples of leaders with the fire in their guts(!) to not merely succeed, but to re-create the whole definition of excellence. This is a book that should be required reading for anyone in a position of leadership-or aspires to be. When it was first released, I gave NUTS! to my whole staff. It was an investment that, I know, paid dividends for years. They'll all have a late Christmas present from me once again, very soon---GUTS!

Imagine working at a company where you are respected, can grow personally and professionally, take risks, have ownership and be empowered! Thank you GUTS! for illuminating that in the shadows of Enron, Tyco and other scandals, the corporate world does exemplify vision, values, ethics, creativity and innovation.

Fifteen companies, hundreds of examples, and loads of specific steps-all incorporated in an entertaining and inspiring story depicting the power of gutsy leadership. I loved this book because it is real. This book uses real people, doing real things, getting real results and in the process, applying methods that can be used by any leader in any environment. Drs. Kevin and Jackie Freiberg did their research and have done a masterful job of capturing a fascinating mosaic of simple practices that have created uncommon success and incredible passion in a wide variety of organizations. As a 15 year employee of Southwest Airlines, I know research and reporting for that company is right on the money. If you lead, or want to lead, at any level, in any organization, you need to read and implement "Guts." I liked it so much I've ordered dozens for my clients.