Harder Than I Thought: Adventures of a Twenty-First Century Leader

Description

Today's CEO must be a global leader who also understands that parts of the business must be managed locally. Someone who sets a strategic vision, though industry and technology disruptions will surely threaten that vision. Someone who must live in the future to go to the future, while continuously creating economic and social value. Not an easy task. Harder Than I Thought is a fictional narrative that puts this increasingly complex job in context-by enabling you to walk alongside Jim Barton, the new CEO of Santa Monica Aerospace, as he steps into the role. Barton's story, developed in consultation with seasoned, reallife CEOs, contains crucial lessons for all leaders hoping to master the new skills required to move into the Csuite.

Robert Austin co-chairs Harvard Business School's executive education program for CIOs and holds the chaired professorship in Management of Creativity and Innovation at Copenhagen Business School. Richard Nolan is William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, at Harvard Business School and holds the Boeing Phillip Condit Chair at the University of Washington. Shannon O'Donnell is a PhD Fellow at Copenhagen Business School and a consultant with Cutter Consortium's Innovation Practice.

"the authors offer a very readable story of the challenges and tribulations of the Chief Executive role." -- Graziadio Business Review, Pepperdine University ADVANCE PRAISE for Harder Than I Thought: Michael Beer, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School; Chairman, TruePoint-- "If you want to prepare yourself for the incredibly difficult and complex job of CEO, read this book. Using their extensive knowledge of top-level management, the authors weave an excellent and engrossing fictional account of the challenges faced by Jim Barton as he takes charge of an aerospace company facing significant business problems." Frank McKenna, Deputy Chairman, TD Bank Group-- "Harder Than I Thought is both entertaining and edifying--a rare combination for a business book. A delightful and instructive blend of fact and fiction, this book is essential reading for any aspiring executive." Hisashi Imai, Dean, Nomura School of Advanced Management, Tokyo-- "Finally! The long-awaited new episodes of Jim Barton, IT leader turned CEO. Although the reader's industry or country context may be different from Barton's, the fundamental leadership challenges are the same. I highly recommend this book for any aspiring leader anywhere in the world, especially newly appointed CEOs and CEO candidates." Karen Fine Coburn, President and CEO, Cutter Consortium-- "A delightful cliff-hanger of a book that delivers essential wisdom for twenty-first-century CEOs. Walk in the shoes of a new CEO and learn what effective leadership truly demands." Wang Shi, Chairman, China Vanke Co., Ltd.-- "Jim Barton's undying quest for bold ideas and his persistence to push for change against all odds are inspiring. He is a motivating role model for all leaders and entrepreneurs who aspire and fight hard every day to do better." Tom Lee, Hughes M. Blake Professor of Management and Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Foster School of Business, University of Washington-- "Harder Than I Thought is a fascinating, highly informative, and fun book to read. It captures and conveys the personal demands of being a CEO so very well."