About this item
Candid conversations with top leaders around the world on how they approached pitvotal moments in their careersNo Fear of Failureoffers insightful candid conversations with some of the worlds top leaders in business politics education and philanthropyeach giving a first-person account of how they approached crucial career defining moments Gary Burnison CEO of KornFerry International the worlds largest executive recruiting firm sits down one-on-one with a highly select and elite corps and together they openly discuss how they handled often very publicly war economic downturn corporate turnover and even retirement Together these world-class leaders show the risks one must be willing to take as well as the vision resilience and compassion necessary to leadIncludes original interviews with Michael Bloomberg Carlos Slim Eli Broad Indra Nooyi Drew Gilpin Faust Anne Mulcahy Vincente Fox Lt General Franklin L Buster Hagenbeck Coach John McKissick Liu Chuanzhi Daniel Vasella and Olli-Pekka KallasvuoExplores the common traits great leaders exhibit vision compassion resilience competitiveness purpose humility team-building skills entrepreneurial spirit perseverance self-awareness empowerment and being a catalystTaking readers into executive suites government offices battlefields and football fields No Fear of Failure shows how great leaders make lasting impact QampA with Gary Burnison CEO of KornFerry International and author of No Fear of Failure Real Stories of How Leaders Deal with Risk and Change Author Gary Burnison What does xCno fear of failurexD mean xCNo fear of failurexD refers to the inner strength needed to accept that failure is inevitable at times and that all leaders must be willing to take risks Success instills confidence but failure imparts wisdom Itxs what you do after failure that countsxwhat you learn The bridge between failure and success is the ability to learn and the courage to try again How did you choose the leaders interviewed for this book We identified leaders who have shown courage and confidence in a variety of situations and challenges who possess different backgrounds in business sports academics philanthropy and public service With such a broad base of leaders it was fascinating to discover their commonalities such as never confusing what they do with who they are and remaining committed to self-improvement to grow as a leader To lead others you must first lead yourself Which leader surprised you the most in his or her interview Every interview had surprises Michael Bloomberg is a take-charge public servant and highly successful entrepreneur but he credits the efforts of others to whom he empowers As president of Mexico Vicente Fox was in the spotlight on the world stage with heroic aspirations of making lasting change in his country but never lost his humility and appreciation of where he came from General Franklin xCBusterxD Hagenbeck led soldiers into battle but he spoke with deep compassion and caring for every individual In fact every leader revealed surprising vulnerability Of all the attributes named in this book which is the most important in your opinion Itxs not what youxve done as a leader itxs what youxve learned Effective leaders are lifelong learnersxinquisitive and constantly engaged Insatiably curious they are voracious readers particularly of history and biography They are forward leaning in their approach What are some of the other insights to effective leadership To be an effective leader you must listen first learn and then lead Listen more than you speak is good advice for anyonexand it is twice as true for a leader Some people will seek to be heard others will be threatened by change going on in the organization but all will have something to teach the leader Leaders also know that strategic thinking is perpetual They look over the horizon but anticipate and navigate the short-term They always have a Plan xCBxD What did you take away from the experience of writing this book It was a privilege to engage in such candid discussions with leaders who are the outliers of achievementxand yet they retained their humility humanness and accessibility In each instance it was not what the person said that made the biggest impact it was how they made you feel when you were with them Leadership is about grace the ability to rise above and to anchor yourself in humility by always focusing first on others.
About the Author
Gary Burnison is the CEO of Korn Ferry. Under his leadership, Korn Ferry has been transformed to a global organizational consulting firm with more than 7,500 colleagues. Today Korn Ferry works with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. The firm helps organizations hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. The firm also helps professionals navigate and advance their careers.Burnison brings hands-on experience to his current position, having served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Korn Ferry from 2003-2007. He joined Korn Ferry as Chief Financial Officer in 2002. Prior to Korn Ferry, Burnison was Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Guidance Solutions, a privately held consulting firm developing and supporting technology solutions, from 1999 to 2001. Before Guidance Solutions, Burnison served as a senior executive officer and director of Jefferies & Company, Inc., the principal operating subsidiary of Jefferies Group, Inc., where he worked from 1995 to 1999. Earlier, he served as partner at KPMG Peat Marwick from 1984 to 1995.Burnison is the author of seven leadership and career development books, including a New York Times bestseller. His latest book, Leadership U: Accelerating Through the Crisis Curve, helps leaders activate their teams amid unprecedented challenges and change. Other books authored by Burnison include Advance: The Ultimate How-To Guide For Your Career, Lose the Resume, Land the Job, No Fear of Failure: Real Stories of How Leaders Deal with Risk and Change, LEAD, The Leadership Journey: How to Master the Four Critical Areas of Being a Great Leader and The Twelve Absolutes of Leadership.Burnison writes regular content focused on the intersection of strategy, talent and leadership, including his widely-read weekly "Special Editions" for global leaders. He is also a regular contributor to CNBC and other major media outlets.Burnison earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pepperdine University.
