Discussing the Book of the Month
October 2003 - Authentic Leadership
Full of provocative insights that are perfect for sparking conversations in both boardrooms and lunchrooms, here is former Medtronic CEO Bill George's prescription for merging business growth with social responsibility.
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Discussion Questions
- In today's intense stock-market environment, is it realistic to focus on serving the needs of all your stakeholders, or must the leader inevitably give preference to investor demands?
- Do you agree with George's premise that mission-driven companies create more shareholder value in the long run than financially driven companies? Is this true only for companies focused on saving lives, as Medtronic is? What about airlines or hotels?
- What are the factors that cause well-intentioned, otherwise ethical leaders to get caught up in the quest for money and power? Is this inevitable, or are there things that leaders can do to stay true to their purpose?
- What is the most significant ethical challenge you have faced, and how did you deal with it? What were you feeling in the midst of this challenge? If you had the opportunity to face this challenge again, would you deal with it differently?
