Lee Iacocca (1924–2019)

acocca is outraged. Now 82, he has seen the U.S. overcome some of its worst crises, including the Great Depression and World War II, through great leadership. As the CEO of Chrysler Corporation, he brought the company back from the brink of bankruptcy and worked with the government to overcome the fallout from the 1970s oil crisis. Now, he says, our government has fallen under the grip of arrogant ideologues and spineless detractors. Our business leaders are more obsessed with stock options show more and trumping each other's multimillion-dollar salaries than with finding creative solutions to pressing problems, such as the health-care crisis, our loss of competitive edge in the global marketplace, the massive trade deficit, and the slow death of the middle class. He describes his frustration as his successor at Chrysler sold out to Daimler-Benz, and the once proud, independent company lost its soul. Although Iacocca presents a brutal analysis of cronyism in Washington, D.C., the abysmal situation in Iraq, and failed policies at home, he is not a pessimist. With a reputation as a straight shooter, he hopes to inspire more young people to vote. This is a surprisingly outspoken take on the pressing need for real leadership in this country show less

As the son of immigrants, Iacocca loves American and the oppotunities it presents to those who are willing ot work hard. So when he was asked to write about leadership, he accepted the opportunity. This book is the result.

Iacocca knows something about leadership. He became President of Ford Motor Company in 1970, and led Chrysler Corporation out of the depths of financial ruin in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He headed the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and established the Iacocca show more Institute for Leadership at Lehigh University. In addition, he started the Iacocca Foundation to help find a cure for diabetes.

This book reads like a series of short opinion pieces. If you cannot tolerate any criticism of George W. Bush, do not read this book. Iacocca was angry about the abuse of power he was seeing and bluntly says what he thinks.

Near the beginning of the book, Iacocca outlines his Nine Cs of Leadership. These are the characteristics he believes a good leader needs to possess: curiosity (openness to hearing others' views and seeking out new information), creativity in approach to problems, good communications skills, good character (integrity), courage, conviction, charisma, competency, and common sense. He urges that we evaluate our leaders and potential leaders using these characteristics.

Much of the book is devoted to the issues Iacocca sees as the problems facing our leaders and country. He asks a lot of questions. He gives his thoughts on possible approaches and solutions. His goal is to encourage Americans to think and explore issues, not just read the headlines and listen to the ads and sound bites. He wants to get Americans to appreciate and exercise the great freedom we have to vote for our leaders, and get us involved in rebuilding our country.

Some portions near the end of the book revisit territory covered in Iacocca's autobiography. This information describes the effect of various people in his life and how they helped him grow into the leader he has become.

Iacocca's insight on America's current (George W. Bush) and future leadership needs make this a great read. show less

3.9 Greatly enjoyed the sections on Iacocca v Ford and Chrysler’s turnaround. Interesting to read his points of view on seat belts, air bags and the financial future of America 40 years after he authored this.

Very old business classic on a boss at Auto Corridors of America! Experimented reading it twice. 1st when I hadn't started working and then recently after 15 years of work. When you are at helm in business and you still have 'Henry Fords' controlling you, your struggle intensifies! Your patience is tested severely; you may also end up paying exorbitant price of losing your dear ones. That's how a vicious cycle of stressful profession is!! It's fascinating to learn different perspectives show more built during readings 17 years apart. All in all it's a timeless case of business. show less