What Really Matters: Service, Leadership, People, and Values

John E. Pepper is, without question, one of the most - if not THE most - successful CEOs in history. It's hard to think of another CEO with Mr. Pepper's perfectly balanced track record of business results and people results. Many leaders succeed by intimidating people; Mr. Pepper succeeds by empowering and motivating them. He is a hard-charging, no b.s. sort of guy - but at the same time the nicest, most genuine person you could hope to meet. He is a blessing to everyone who is fortunate enough to come into contact with him. He truly does know what really matters ... and he leads accordingly. Todd Sebastian Author, Tell Your Clients Where to Go! A Practical Guide to Providing Passionate Client Leadership

John Pepper has produced a genuine and candid work. His true colors shine through, forcing the reader to care about him and grow a respect based on more than just his business achievements. His passion for the community and doing right promote a fresh optimism for 'Corporate America'.

We used this book for our company's book of the month club. It is a wonderful a tool for any company. John Pepper not only includes what worked but what didn't work while working with P & G. Well organized and written so that you can continually return to it. Recommend it to anyone in a company that is growing and looking to expand it's knowledge on how to keep an organization moving forward, how to recognize leaders and how to create a community within a company.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in personal and professional growth. Written with a pull-you-in blend of candor, warmth and honesty, this book is a treasure of "fly-on-the-wall" insights into critical decisions made at a company that has become the country's largest maker of consumer goods....not just what the decision was, but more importantly how it was reached, and the impact it made. It also offers a refreshing look at how balancing business with values has paid off for P & G in unexpected ways when the stakes have been so very high. For those of us in business, if offers a series of real stories of solid leadership, and examples of how to both lead and follow. At the same time, interwoven on every page are insights for those of us not in business, but are students of life. Through the eyes and heart of one of the world's most renowned and accomplished business leaders, it offers perspective on what really matters in life...how to make moments special and then make them last...for us and those around us. It's an inspiration. You close each chapter feeling as though you've just finished a detailed and personal conversation with John Pepper. I bought copies for my mother, father-in-law and 2 dearest friends.

This is a must read for anyone interested in achieving excellence in business, understanding the role service plays in all we do, and appreciating the things in our lives that truly matter. Fundamental lessons such as "perserving the core while being willing to change everything else" make this book both informative and meaningful. John Pepper is in a league of his own when it comes to CEO leadership. There are not many like him (if any at all) and his ability to express the importance of putting people first - both those around him as well as those his company seeks to serve - is unique and uplifting. This book is about a good man who helped make his company one of the most successful in the world. It's authentic and original. A must read.