The Leadership Moment - by Michael Useem (Paperback)

About the Book

Nine unusual, inspiring, and dramatic stories about leaders in crisis, and what they have done to succeed or why they have failed. 32 photos throughout.

Book Synopsis

Are you ready for the leadership moment?

"Gripping adventure and actionable advice."--Fast Company

Merck's Roy Vagelos commits millions of dollars to develop a drug needed only by people who can't afford it - Eugene Kranz struggles to bring the Apollo 13 astronauts home after an explosion rips through their spacecraft - Arlene Blum organizes the first women's ascent of one of the world's most dangerous mountains - Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain leads his tattered troops into a pivotal Civil War battle at Little Round Top - John Gutfreund loses Salomon Brothers when his inattention to a trading scandal almost topples the Wall Street giant - Clifton Wharton restructures a $50 billion pension system direly out of touch with its customers - Alfredo Cristiani transforms El Salvador's decade-long civil war into a negotiated settlement - Nancy Barry leads Women's World Banking in the fight against Third World poverty - Wagner Dodge faces the decision of a lifetime as a fast-moving forest fire overtakes his firefighting crew.

From the Back Cover

ARE YOU READY FOR THE LEADERSHIP MOMENT?

Merck's ROY VAGELOS commits millions of dollars to develop a drug needed only by people who can't afford it -- EUGENE KRANZ struggles to bring the Apollo 13 astronauts home after an explosion rips through their spacecraft -- ARLENE BLUM organizes the first women's ascent of one of the world's most dangerous mountains -- JOSHUA LAWRENCE CHAMBERLAIN leads his tattered troops into a pivotal Civil War battle at Little Round Top -- JOHN GUTFREUND loses Salomon Brothers when his inattention to a trading scandal almost topples the Wall Street giant -- CLIFTON WHARTON restructures a $50 billion pension system direly out of touch with its customers -- ALFREDO CRISTIANI transforms El Salvador's decade-long civil war into a negotiated settlement -- NANCY BARRY leads Women's World Banking in the fight against Third World poverty -- WAGNER DODGE faces the decision of a lifetime as a fast-moving forest fire overtakes his firefighting crew

Review Quotes

"Gripping adventure and actionable advice . . . Useem not only takes us into the experiences of others but also draws out striking lessons."--Fast Company

"One thoughtful work like this is worth a ton of new-age, self-help tomes that are high on fluff and low on scholarship."--San Francisco Chronicle

"A really good story is a time-honored way to show how leaders respond to extreme challenges [and] that's what Michael Useem delivers."--USA Today

About the Author

Michael Useem is the director of the Center for Leadership and Change Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he is also the William and Jacalyn Egan Professor of Management. He regularly leads Wharton graduates on leadership treks to the Himalayas.