In the wake of continuing corporate scandals there have been few, if any, CEOs that have stepped forward as models of "doing things right" except the former chairman and CEO of Medtronic, Bill George. Here, George makes the case that we do need new leaders, not just new laws, to bring us out of the corporate crisis.

Foreword xv
Warren Bennis

Preface: A New Generation of Leaders xvii

Introduction: Where Have All the Leaders Gone? 1

Part One: Becoming an Authentic Leader

1. Leadership Is Authenticity, Not Style 11

2. The Transformation of Leaders 27

3. Leading a Balanced Life 45

Part Two: Building an Authentic Company

4. Missions Motivate, Dollars Don't 61

5. Values Don't Lie 71

6. It's the Customer, Stupid! 81

7. It's Not Just the CEO 91

8. Whose Bottom Line: Customers or Shareholders? 101

Part Three: In the Crucible of the Market

9. Seven Deadly Sins: Pitfalls to Growth 109

10. Overcoming Obstacles: Nothing Can Stand in Your Way 117

11. Ethical Dilemmas: When in Rome, Don’t Follow the Romans 127

12. Innovations from the Heart 133

13. Acquisitions Aren’t Just About Money 143

14. Shareholders Come Third 153

Part Four: Beyond the Bottom Line

15. Governance Is Governance 165

16. Sticking Your Neck Out 177

17. Preparing for Succession . . . and Moving On 187

Epilogue: If Not Me, Then Who? If Not Now, When? 197

Medtronic Financial Results 201

Suggested Reading 203

Acknowledgments 207

The Author 209

Index 211

"Bill George will be remembered as much, perhaps more, for this book, as for his extraordinary leadership achievements over the last four decades."
–from the Foreword by Warren Bennis

Leading CEOs and Leadership Gurus Enthusiastically Endorse Bill George's Authentic Leadership

"Anyone interested in how to become an effective leader should meet Bill George, former CEO of one of America’s finest companies–Medtronic."
–Arthur Levitt, former chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

"Authentic Leadership is a powerful call for genuine and ethical business leadership, made ever more persuasive by Bill George's own extraordinary life."
–Walter Mondale, former vice president of the United States

"This is the best book by a business leader that I’ve ever read!"
–John C. Whitehead, former chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs

"Bill George is one of the most successful business leaders of all time."
–Richard M. Kovacevich, chairman and CEO, Wells Fargo

"In a time when ethical leadership has more value than ever, Bill George shows us the way with clarity and conviction."
–Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence and Primal Leadership

"Bill George has won a legendary reputation for success and integrity in American enterprise. Read and grow!"
–David Gergen, Center for Public Leadership, Harvard University, and author of Eyewitness to Power

"I had a wonderful opportunity to learn from Bill George in several business ventures. Here, Bill gives a broader audience a chance to benefit from his wisdom."
–Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO, General Electric

"Authentic Leadership is a priceless dialogue with Bill George, unquestionably America’s preeminent steward of corporate integrity. This book is destined to be a classic."
–Harvey Mackay, author of Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

"In Authentic Leadership, Bill George shows why he is recognized as one of the world’s best corporate leaders."
–Hank McKinnell, chairman and CEO, Pfizer

See inside the book for more praise about Authentic Leadership.

Foreword by Warren Bennis. Preface: A New Generation of Leaders. Introduction: Where Have All the Leaders Gone? Part One: Becoming an Authentic Leader. Leadership Is Authenticity, Not Style. The Transformation of Leaders. Leading a Balanced Life. Part Two: Building an Authentic Company. Missions Motivate, Dollars Don't. Values Don't Lie. It's the Customer, Stupid! It's Not Just the CEO. Whose Bottom Line: Customers or Shareholders? Part Three: In the Crucible of the Market. Seven Deadly Sins: Pitfalls to Growth. Overcoming Obstacles: Nothing Can Stand in Your Way. Ethical Dilemmas: When in Rome, Don't Follow the Romans. Innovations from the Heart. Acquisitions Aren't Just About Money. Shareholders Come Third. Part Four: Beyond the Bottom Line. Governance Is Governance. Sticking Your Neck Out. Preparing for Succession . . . and Moving On. Epilogue: If Not Me, Then Who? If Not Now, When? Medtronic Financial Results.

In the wake of continuing corporate scandals there have been few, if any, CEOs that have stepped forward as models of "doing things right"–except the former chairman and CEO of Medtronic, Bill George. George has become the unofficial spokesperson for responsible leadership–in business, the media, and academia.

In Authentic Leadership Bill George makes the case that we need new leaders, not just new laws, to bring us out of the current corporate crisis. He persuasively demonstrates that authentic leaders of mission-driven companies will create far greater shareholder value than financially oriented companies. During George’s twelve-year leadership at Medtronic, the company’s market capitalization soared from $1.1 billion to $60 billion, averaging 35 percent per year.

George candidly recounts many of the toughest challenges he encountered–from ethical dilemmas and battles with the FDA to his own development as a leader. He shows how to develop the five essential dimensions of authentic leaders–purpose, values, heart, relationships, and self-discipline. Authentic Leadership offers inspiring lessons to all who want to lead with heart and with compassion for those they serve.

Bill George helps readers answer vital questions such as: What should I do when my personal values conflict with company business values? How do I make trade-offs between the needs of my customers, my employees, and my company’s shareholders? Do I really want to devote my talents to business?

Authentic Leadership provides a tested guide for character-based leaders and all those who have a stake in the integrity and success of our corporations.