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Leading Matters: Lessons from My Journey 1st Edition
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In Leading Matters, current Chairman of Alphabet (Google's parent company), former President of Stanford University, and "Godfather of Silicon Valley," John L. Hennessy shares the core elements of leadership that helped him become a successful tech entrepreneur, esteemed academic, and venerated administrator.
Hennessy's approach to leadership is laser-focused on the journey rather than the destination. Each chapter in Leading Matters looks at valuable elements that have shaped Hennessy's career in practice and philosophy. He discusses the pivotal role that humility, authenticity and trust, service, empathy, courage, collaboration, innovation, intellectual curiosity, storytelling, and legacy have all played in his prolific, interdisciplinary career.
Hennessy takes these elements and applies them to instructive stories, such as his encounters with other Silicon Valley leaders including Jim Clark, founder of Netscape; Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and Stanford provost; John Arrillaga, one of the most successful Silicon Valley commercial real estate developers; and Phil Knight, founder of Nike and philanthropist with whom Hennessy cofounded Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University.
Across government, education, commerce, and non-profits, the need for effective leadership could not be more pressing. This book is essential reading for those tasked with leading any complex enterprise in the academic, not-for-profit, or for-profit sector.
- ISBN-101503608018
- ISBN-13978-1503608016
- Edition1st
- PublisherStanford Business Books
- Publication dateSeptember 4, 2018
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- Print length200 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Leading Matters is a gorgeous, inspirational, and essential handbook for the leaders we all hope to be. John Hennessy shares more than 90 life lessons in leadership -- lessons learned as an entrepreneur, professor, and president of one of the world's great universities. Ranging from artificial intelligence to the arts to the value of empathy, John's stories are a rare gift for the courageous, humble servant leader inside each of us. Now, more than ever, we need this book."―John Doerr, author of Measure What Matters
"In this book, John Hennessy shares deep insights gained from a phenomenal career as an engineer, an entrepreneur, and the president of a world-class university. It's an indispensable guide for leaders at every level."―Bill Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
"For me, John Hennessy is one of the great university presidents. Leading Matters is a must read. As an alumnus, I take great pride that my alma mater had such a leader at its helm. With this great book, he leads us still."―Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York
"This book is just like its author: humble, empathetic, courageous and very smart. It tells leaders a hard truth: successful leadership isn't just about confidence or expertise. It also requires the harder-won qualities of humility and empathy. John came by these lessons honestly and is now generously sharing them with a new generation of leaders."―Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
"John Hennessy was a transformational president for Stanford University. In this insightful book, he provides a "how to" guide that will benefit leaders from all walks of life. And it's a good read too -- with wonderful examples of how to marry vision and execution in the face of both challenges and opportunities on the road to change."―Condoleezza Rice, Professor and Former Provost of Stanford University
"In Leading Matters, John Hennessy challenges each of us to consider how we can develop our own leadership style. His powerful insights―informed by his long and distinguished tenure as president of Stanford University―are about grounding leadership in empathy, courage, and service. This book is a guide for leading in good and tough times alike―and for helping raise the next generation of leaders."―Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and Founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Stanford Business Books; 1st edition (September 4, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 200 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1503608018
- ISBN-13 : 978-1503608016
- Item Weight : 14.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #911 in Computers & Technology Industry
- #5,110 in Business & Finance
- #11,398 in Leadership & Motivation
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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Customers find the book a useful guide for leadership. They say it's an easy read and a must-read for academics.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book a valuable guide to leadership. They say it covers the essentials of being a great leader and imparts positive change to an organization. The book is a useful management tool that helps readers become more effective and lead a fulfilled life.
"...His view on the essentials of being a great leader is spot on...." Read more
"...Anyone looking to impart lasting and positive change to an organization should spend the few hours necessary to absorb this book." Read more
"The author is a great scientist and a leader with great achievement. The coda in the book led to even more inspiring books!" Read more
"Principles in leadership that will help you be more effective and lead a more fulfilled life..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and a must-read for academics.
"A must, must read for all people in academics. I have had the good fortune to work at Stanford for much of John's tenure as President...." Read more
"superb read with wonderful insights as only Hennessy could provide" Read more
"Really well done easy read!" Read more
"Fair read..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018A must, must read for all people in academics. I have had the good fortune to work at Stanford for much of John's tenure as President. I have seen him talk, and even had a lunch with him, when I was promoted to full professor. I can't over state how highly I have thought of him over the years. Many of the stories he relayed occurred during my time and it was so interesting to have the "inside baseball view". I highly respect what he has done during his career and what he has done for Stanford. His book gave me insight into how I can improve as a leader, as well as give a view of what leaders of academic centers handle.
If you are in the business world, all of his lessons apply. His view on the essentials of being a great leader is spot on.
The book is very easy to read, and I got through it on a short trip to give some talks.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023While hero of the book is a prominent person, I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. The book itself would be more interesting for people who favor biographies, while I expected more of a study guide.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2018Having seen up close for the past twenty years the impact that John Hennessy has had on Stanford and its environs, I can say that this book is the CliffsNotes version of it. Anyone looking to impart lasting and positive change to an organization should spend the few hours necessary to absorb this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2018I’m a big fan of John Hennessy. I knew him while I studied at Stanford, and as he led the university. I’m grateful for the support he gave me, and for the inspiration I felt watching him striving towards excellence. I’ll conclude by reinforcing his message in one word: “Innovate!”
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2019This is a encouraged story from a man who started out with a very different dream but for whom the journey has been both challenging and immensely rewarding.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2019The author is a great scientist and a leader with great achievement. The coda in the book led to even more inspiring books!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2020I found this a little hard to get into and then nothing in it really was inspirational as far as the stories or lessons learned. Many other books on leadership offer more applicable situations in leadership.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2018superb read with wonderful insights as only Hennessy could provide
Top reviews from other countries
- MadcaddieReviewed in Germany on October 3, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have
This is one of the best leadership books that you can buy if you really want to learn how to be a leader and not a boss. John's background and career path are unique and there are so many learnings that you can take from this book
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Amazon CustomerReviewed in Mexico on January 21, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Básico para cualquier persona interesada en liderazgo
EXCELENTE. Mejor aún si el enfoque del lector es sobre vida académica.