The Good Struggle: Responsible Leadership in an Unforgiving World

Description

The question of how to lead, and what constitutes responsible leadership, becomes more stark and important in an increasingly unmanageable world. And as change has become our only constant, the answer is needed now. Based on decades of teaching, writing, and reflecting on leadership, Harvard Business School professor Joseph Badaracco addresses the question in The Good Struggle: Responsible Leadership in an Unforgiving World. Central to his argument is the idea of struggle and what he calls a "new invisible hand" of pervasive and powerful markets, both of which impact today's leaders more than they realize.

Joseph L. Badaracco is the John Shad Professor of Business Ethics at Harvard Business School. He has served as chair of the MBA Program, taught in executive programs in many countries, and has spoken to a wide variety of organizations on issues of leadership, values, and ethics. Badaracco has written several books on leadership, decision making, and responsibility, including Defining Moments, Questions of Character, and the New York Times bestseller Leading Quietly.

ADVANCE PRAISE for The Good Struggle: Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross-- "Badaracco has written a valuable book that examines the evolving fundamentals of leadership in a contemporary world filled with greater uncertainty and more intense market pressures." Tom Stemberg, Managing General Partner, Highland Consumer Fund; Chairman Emeritus, Staples, Inc.-- "Joseph Badaracco defines the essence of success in building a business: Live with the reality one competes in, but never stop dreaming about what might be possible." Ann Fudge, former Chairman and CEO, Young & Rubicam Brands-- "Leading responsibly does not equate to leading successfully. It is indeed a 'struggle.' This book challenges the reader to develop the right path for the long term." Ronald K. Machtley, President, Bryant University-- "This book's message is powerful: True leadership is forged from the personal crucible of struggle, values, and choices that justify the risks and time spent being a leader." Kunio Nakamura, former President, Panasonic Corporation-- "In this book, Joseph Badaracco poses vital questions for leaders. In these times of turmoil and uncertainty, leaders must face these questions head on." Daniel Vasella, MD; former Chairman and CEO, Novartis AG-- "Dealing successfully with VUCA--volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity--is inescapable for successful leaders today in their struggle to make the best choices for their companies, for their people, and for themselves. The Good Struggle provides an approach for leading responsibly amid all the diverging forces."