Jon M. Huntsman (1937–2018)

Like many others, I’ve been watching the presidential primaries run-up with interest. I had at least some basic background information on all of the candidates, except for Jon Huntsman. Knowing that many politicians also like to write books, I thought I could find out a little bit more about Governor Huntsman if I read a book he had written. At my library I discovered Winners Never Cheat, but I didn’t realize until I brought it home and examined it closer that this book is by Jon show more Huntsman Senior, not his son who is running for president. So that was my initial disappointment. This book is not political at all, but is meant to be a practical, how-to manual on ethics for business leaders. Note, I use meant to be, as I’m not sure how practical is really is. Mostly it reads like a bunch of nice-sounding adages strung together, although many of them didn’t sit with me quite right.

In the beginning of the book, Mr. Huntsman makes all these assumptions about how everyone knows how to behave correctly because of the way they were raised as children to be kind, have good manners, etc. This sounds all well and good but it doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone. First off, there are those who are hardly raised at all, with abusive parents or in and out of foster homes or what have you. Even without seemingly "normal" nuclear homes, not every parent(s) has the same value sets or bothers to teach them to their children. (For instance, everyone knows some spoiled child - now adult - who is completely self-absorbed and doesn't know how to deal with not getting their way.) So using absolutes like this gets us nowhere.

In addition, Huntsman has this whole karma-like theory regarding justice, supporting it with a "I rest my case" based on one personal anecdote. No doubt many of us could also prove the exact opposite point based on one personal anecdote. While it would be nice to say that justice always comes around, we know this isn't true and his other reasons for not holding a grudge (it's unhealthy, it hurts you more than the one you are trying to get revenge on, etc.) are much better rationale and he should left well enough alone there.

Huntsman also sometimes contradicts himself in his advice. For instance, he says in one paragraph: “Each human is unique. When we seek to be like the next person, we lose autonomy. Failure often is the result of following the crowd. If the character of the person we are following lacks strength, honesty, and courage, that person’s weaknesses can become ours. Conversely, following someone who exhibits those attributes reinforces one’s own resolve and character.” To sum up: don’t be follower; be a follower of people with positive characteristics. Huh? That’s hardly practical advice as it tells you to do two polar opposite things at once.

Toward the end, Huntsman brings up religion a lot – indeed, he even has a whole chapter called “Graciousness is next to godliness.” It could just be me, but this doesn’t seem particularly fitting in a book for business leaders, who are presumably leading people of all faiths – including questioning or non-existent. And call me jaded but I just don't buy into the theory that everyone is born with some kind of inner goodness as Mr. Huntsman seems to believe. For instance, Huntsman relays an anecdote about a speech he gave at one his chemical plants: “I explained that if we had faith in fellow human beings, there would be fewer accidents and safety violations.” This just seems like a total non-sequitur in my opinion. I’m really not sure how some blind faith in the goodness of humanity is supposed to prevent carelessness in others.

The parts when Huntsman talks about his own life and his rise from modest upbringings to billionaire industrialist and philanthropist are the most interesting, but this are generally short and interspersed far from one another. I probably would have enjoyed the book more if he had done more of this instead of falling back on buzzwords, clichés, and platitudes so that he fills a lot of pages without actually saying much. Actually, the bottom line chapter pretty much says it all and succinctly, so it feels like this could have been a long essay perhaps instead of a book. Overall, there’s some nice sentiments but not much of substance here. On the plus side, at least it's short and goes pretty quickly, and I suppose it could be motivational for some. show less

The climax of the book was on or before page 178. Up until then it was an entrepreneur betting all and managing to survive, after that it seemed like just turning the crank generating more riches. There were some bumps and crisis after that, but by then he had already established his tenacity and unwillingness to fail.

I liked that he didn’t try to portray himself as perfect, or even orthodox.

One little thing that struck me a little strange is that he would paint someone as a total jerk. show more Then a few pages later or a chapter or two later say something like ‘he wasn’t so bad,’ or ‘I like him,’ or ‘we are … friends.’ Putting it in a positive light: His willingness to forgive was great. show less

Very challenging book. No matter how much you are currently giving/doing, Mr. Huntsman challenges you to do more. The only issue I had with it is it isn't written from a Judeo-Christian perspective. The author basically indicates that all religions are alike from a charity perspective. However, the author doesn't claim its a Christian book so I really can't/shouldn't gripe.

Jon M. Huntsman clearly states the value of being fully ethical, and fully moral regardless of whether a shadier course is legal. It doesn't matter if it is legal. What matters is morality.

Clearly written, and an easy read it is a great reminds of the virtues taught by the major religions of the world. Sprinkled in are a few examples from his life, some painful, always instructive.