In the Words of Great Business Leaders

I have recently read this fascinating book by Fenster. As a business leader in my own right I was fascinated to find that buisness leaders from long ago had a lot to offer me in terms of advice and philosophies. I highly reccommend this book to anyone with a passing interest in business. That is everyone

This book is incredible. I was able to learn the business philosophy of several well known and successful leaders from both past and present. It was remarkably insightful. As a leader of several hundred employees and a multimillion dollar budget, it has certainly helped me refocus on important business principles. Principles that are sometimes forgotten during the hustle and bustle of day to day business. The leaders profiled in this book generally had a very clear focus on what they wanted to accomplish and how they would accomplish it. A similar set of princilpes seemed to guide their successes. I am enormously grateful that I have been exposed to their wisdom. I am a better leader now that I have read it (several times).

Most executives have a personal business library, consisting of titles which are most relevant to their respective needs and interests. Here is an excellent candidate to consider. Fenster has anthologized a wealth of insights from a diverse range of sources, including several one would not perhaps think of as "great business leaders." For example, Mary Pickford, Madame C.J. Walker, Clarence Birdseye, and Margaret Rudkin. Of course, there is a generous selection from the usual sources such as Andrew Carnegie, Sam Walton, John D. Rockefeller, Albert P. Sloan, Jr., David Packard, and Herb Kelleher. The quotations are organized within five Parts: Talk About Convincing: SALESMENNo Stone Left Unturned: HUSTLING HARD WORKERSThe Thoughts That Count: SELF-MADE SUCCESSESThe Buck Stops: BOSSESNo Matter What Everyone Else is Doing: MAVERICKS This would be a terrific source for material to be included in correspondence, internal and external newsletters, speeches, business plans, formal proposals, and multi-media presentations. The same material also offers new insights or reminders which can help to clarify thoughts, especially during a problem-solving process. Fenster includes a brief introduction to each Part and then a brief bio of each great business leader quoted. One of my personal favorites is what Herb Kelleher says about Perspective: "Think small and act small, and we'll get bigger. Think big and act big, and we'll get smaller." Some of the hundreds of quotations will be familiar to each reader...others will not. All are worthy of inclusion in this entertaining as well as useful collection.

This book is very entertaining. The anecdotes and quotes from famous business leaders are colorful and inspirational. These are great lessons about life, not just business. The author's intelligent format keeps the book lively.