Examines the history of business in America in the twentieth century, tracing the sociopolitical landscape decade by decade and discussing such visionaries as Bill Gates, Walt Disney, and Madam C.J. Walker.
In this landmark book, Anthony J. Mayo and Nitin Nohria break new ground in our understanding of the requirements of truly great leadership. Illustrated through dozens of profiles of business visionaries, In Their Time reveals that outstanding leaders possess more than charismatic personalities and an appetite for risk. They have "contextual intelligence" - a profound ability to understand the spirit of the times and harness the opportunities it presents to create successful organizations. The book identifies three distinct paths that the best leaders forge to greatness - entrepreneurial innovation, savvy management, and transformational leadership - and explores the contextual factors that leaders must "read" correctly in order to succeed.
The cover features diverse business visionaries including Bill Gates, Walt Disney, and Madam C.J. Walker (owner of the largest black-owned business of the early 1900s). Basing their selections of 1,000 US entrepreneurs, managers, and leaders on the criterion of contextual intelligence, the ability to "read" and harness the opportunities of the times, this Harvard duo traces their careers and sociopolitical Zeitgeist by decade from 1900 to 1999. They include period photos and methodological appendices. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Great business leaders possess more than celebrated traits like charisma and an appetite for risk. They have "contextual intelligence"?a profound ability to understand the Zeitgeist of their times and harness it to create successful organizations. Based on a comprehensive Harvard Business School Leadership Initiative study, Anthony J. Mayo and Nitin Nohria present a fascinating collection of stories of the 20th century's greatest leaders, from unsung heroes to legends like Sam Walton and Bill Gates. The book identifies three distinct paths these individuals followed to greatness: entrepreneurial innovation, savvy management, and transformational leadership. Through engaging stories of leaders in each category, the authors show how, by "reading" the context they operated in and embracing the opportunities their times presented, these individuals created, grew, or revitalized outstanding American enterprises. A canon of leadership success from the last century, In Their Time reveals insights for contemporary leaders hoping to build lasting legacies.