Advance praise for the first edition of The Five Temptations of a CEO
“A must-read for all leaders, not just CEOs. Take it from someone who has been tempted. Better than a personal coach.”
– Boyd Clarke, president and CEO, The Tom Peters Group
“Pat Lencioni delivers a provocative message: CEOs mainly have themselves to blame when things go wrong. If you’re a CEO (or any manager for that matter), do you have the courage to face the blame? Doing so could change your future – for the better.”
– Dr. Jerry Porras, coauthor, Built to Last; professor Stanford School of Business
“A truly enjoyable story. I found myself immediately trying to decide whether I had fallen victim to the temptations. I think most executives will be able to recognize parts of themselves in this well-written, enlightened book!”
– Ellyn McColgan, president, Fidelity Investments Tax Exempt Services Co.
“What a pleasure! Reading The Five Temptations of a CEO was like taking a refreshing look in the mirror and really seeing what was there. There is a little of Andrew O’Brien in all of us and, at times, a lot of him in many of us. What a useful tool this book can be for many CEOs.”
– Lenny Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history
“This book provides extraordinary insight into the pitfalls that leaders face when they lose sight of the true measure of success – results. This model is required reading for my staff.”
– Dr. Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO, Novell Corporation
“The most fascinating book I have ever read about management. Pat Lencioni thrusts into the psyche of a CEO in an extremely shrewd manner and reveals the vulnerabilities there. I could not help but feel that I was the one being confronted while reading it.”
– Tadao Kobayashi, Executive Vice President, American Honda Motor Company
“Lencioni goes right to the core of what is at once simple and profoundly hard to do as a leader: to take actions that are conscious and honest, always. He challenges us to be authentic – at precisely those moments when we are most tempted to act out of ego, vanity, or fear. When I am doing a good job, I’m aware of following the principles he suggests.”
– Dr. Diane Flannery, CEO, Juma Ventures
“Leadership is about motivating others to achieve superior results. It demands that individuals rise above the inherent human temptations so clearly articulated in this book. Insightful and entertaining, The Five Temptations of a CEO provides a practical construct that will help every general manager become more effective.”
– Thomas J. Tierney, Worldwide Managing Partner, Bain & Company
“I normally cringe every time someone insists I read yet another book on leadership or corporate philosophy, but I must admit I warmed up to The Five Temptations of a CEO quickly – plain English, simple truths, eminently digestible.”
– Graham Spanier, President, Penn State University
“A fast-reading page-turner that puts things in their proper perspective – it makes you realize that corporate life is not as complicated as you think.”
– Sal Schiliro, Publisher, Street & Smith’s Sports Group
“The Five Temptations of a CEO tells it like it really is at the top. In vivid prose storytelling, Lencioni depicts the challenge and inspiration of overcoming the five deceptively simple barriers to successful leadership.”
– John Alexander, President, Center for Creative Leadership
“Pat Lencioni has written a compelling and delightful parable. The Five Temptations of a CEO blends Pat’s brilliant storytelling ability with his extensive practical experience. It gives us a vibrant illustration of the success factors for leadership in business.. and in life. Anyone, CEO or otherwise, can benefit from this book.”
– Terry Pearce, author, Leading Out Loud; Senior Vice President, Executive Communication, Charles Schwab & Co.; Lecturer, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
“The Five Temptations of a CEO is a powerful book. Powerful in its simplicity, powerful in its honesty, powerful in its humanity. Pat Lencioni is a wise and engaging storyteller who knows from real close up what it takes to survive and thrive in one of the loneliest places on the planet – the boss’s office!”
– Jim Kouzes, coauthor, The Leadership Challenge and Credibility; Chairman, Tom Peters Group/Learning Systems
“Outstanding! I’ve read many management books and this one is great! All managers can learn from this quick-reading, honest, and simple to understand book. It is a must read if you want to improve your executive management skills. I’ve made a wallet-sized reference card of the five temptations so that I don’t stray.”
– Michael Rowe, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Jersey Nets
“The Five Temptations gets to a level of organizational truth in a compelling way. It will change the way we look at our behavior and priorities without feeling guilty. The late-night commute home will never be the same..”
– Richard A. Moran, best-selling author, Never Confuse a Memo with Reality
“Take it from a confirmed ‘business book basher’:
