Put the Moose on the Table: Lessons in Leadership from a Ceo's Journey Through Business and Life

ISBN: 0253342392

Author: Randall Tobias

Condition: New

Review"Tobias makes it clear that the values and work ethic that led to his success were derived by his upbringing in rural Remington, Ind. It is fitting, therefore, that University of Indiana Press put this moose on the table to challenge the thinking of corporate leaders and aspirants to leadership positions in American business, cultural and political life." -Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)Product Description"This is the book that needed to be written in this time of tribulation for American business.... a must-read."-Norman R. Augustine, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Lockheed Martin Corporation"Aspiring CEOs and leaders of all kinds-as well as anyone depressed at recent revelations of the dark side of American business behavior-should read this book."-Nannerl O. Keohane, President, Duke University"He has accurately described the critical role that character plays in the leadership equation... and in life. This is a superb book."-General Charles C. Krulak (Ret), 31st Commandant of the U.S. Marine CorpsLike a moose in the living room, some problems are hard to ignore. Randall Tobias says that whether these problems are in business or in life, it is best to confront them openly and honestly.Put the Moose on the Table sets forth the ethical lessons Tobias first learned as a youth in Remington, Indiana, which continued to guide his upward trajectory through the business world. Among the topics he discusses are leading by example, dealing with wrenching change, the importance of openness versus secrecy, mentoring, and "the vision thing."This is an enlightening and hopeful book about succeeding without selling out, turning change to advantage, and confronting difficult issues, told from the point of view of one who has played a significant role in two of the major corporate transformations of our time.From Publishers WeeklyTobias spent decades climbing the ladder at Ma Bell, served as vice chairman at AT&T and in 1993 became CEO of the prestigious pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. One of his book's few interesting anecdotes is his recollection of an exchange he had with Charles Brown (AT&T's then-CEO), when Tobias was a mere underling at the company in the early 1980s. Tobias was preparing a presentation, which Brown canceled, since he was finalizing the monumental splitup of AT&T. Although Brown was busy planning the company's reorganization, he found time to send Tobias a gracious note, apologizing for any inconvenience he may have caused Tobias. Tobias was moved by Brown's thoughtfulness and, as he progressed in his career, made attempts to be as forthcoming with his own subordinates. It's a valuable lesson about the importance of treating your workers well. Unfortunately, the rest of the book, which ostensibly offers lessons on how to communicate effectively and always deal with the problems at hand (keeping "the moose on the table," as it were), is an uninformative mishmash of autobiography and unimaginative "Lessons on Leadership" (e.g., "Leaders almost always think out of the box"; "Keep learning"; "In business as in life, one thing is absolutely inevitable-continuous change"). Tobias has had an esteemed career and has undoubtedly been a good boss (Lilly is justifiably well-known for its benevolent attitude toward employees), but his book fails to engage. Photos.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.About the AuthorRandall L. Tobias was Chairman, President, and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company until his retirement at the end of 1998, when he was named Chairman Emeritus. Before joining Lilly, he had a distinguished career at AT&T, where he was Vice Chairman in the years following the government-ordered breakup of the company in 1984 and negotiated the first-ever telecommunications deal with China. Still active in corporate and community life, Tobias serves on the boards of a number of major corporations and foundations.Todd Tobias is President of Table Moose Media, Publis