“The first thing that we have to remember is that the good guys need to win – it makes the world better.”
By Max McKeown & Philip Whiteley. ISBN 0-273-65614-7.
There are plenty of oh-too-believable horror stories of show-pony bullies, egomaniacs, and win-at-all-costers who do bad things, hurt people and spoil businesses. More importantly, the authors present plenty of evidence that the nice guys do come out on top at the end!
“…truly good guys are more likely to succeed than others.” Here are some highlights:
- SAS Institute’s employees only work 35 hours a week. They are “phenomenally successful” because they believe in “taking care of the folks who are taking care of you.” Read their work/life statement.
- Troy Aikman, the ‘soft-hearted winner’, was “the only quarterback in history to win three Super Bowl titles in only four years.” He has a foundation that benefits children.
- The Financial Times reported in July 2001: “Over a five year period, [ethical funds in the US] … have beaten their competitors by several percentage points. In the UK, the ethical FTSE4Good Index has outperformed the FTSE 100 and the FTSE All-Share Index.” If you are in Australia, check out AustralianEthical Investment + Superannuation
- ”[Great leaders] passionately want people to succeed.” Cricket captain Mike Brearley led his team with “ …respect, acceptance, empathy and awareness, but also the demanding of high standards [after establishing all the former qualities].”
- By genuinely listening to the newest or most junior members of his team, and working on the principle that “people deal with people”, Sir Robin Saxby grew ARM into a £3 billion chip design company.
- “Differences between the ways people are treated have been found to explain 19% of the variation in profitability.” A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (Patterson, M. et al, 1997). Compare this to 6% from R&D investments, and a mere 1% from technology.
- ”…add up to 30% in shareholder returns … [through] a collegial, flexible workplace, clear pay awards, honest communication, and management accountability.” Watson Wyatt’s human capital index.
The authors have done a great job laying out the myths that limits us and the principles that will enable us to be our potential. All in an easy to read 116 pages.
“We have been brought up to believe that there is always a trade-off or a choice between doing that which is good and that which leads to success. Such an assumption is wrong, and this is a tremendously liberating realization.”
Wow! This is definitely a must read if you believe in the good guys.
