What Titans Can Teach Us

The legendary titans of American business could be scheming and ruthless. But a business leader doesn't have to strive for titanhood to benefit from the lessons such giants have to teach. And perhaps by studying them, we can learn to spot titans in the making. Focusing on the experiences of seven great innovators--steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, Kodak's George Eastman, automaker Henry Ford, Intel's Robert Noyce, Revlon's Charles Revson, Wal-Mart's Sam Walton, and IBM's Thomas J. Watson--the author argues that a handful of simple principles were woven into their lives: Have the courage to bet on your vision of market potential. Shape your vision of the market into a mission for the company and consistent messages for customers, employees, and investors. Deliver more than you promise. Be dedicated to your company, even to a fault. And don't look back. The author shows that the titans thought about their companies every waking moment and expected the same of their employees. They were willing to pay whatever price was needed to create something new in the business world. Whether they led through inspiration or intimidation, a clear mission and consistent messages were keys to making their dreams reality. So were a limitless sense of what they had to offer and an unflinching commitment to the fulfillment of their destinies.

• Leadership vision
• Business history
• Management styles
• Executives
• Entrepreneurs and founders