I have always believed that corporations can change our world for the better when they are run by ethical leaders who inspire admiration and gratitude within and without their organizations. In this book, Charles Spinosa, Matthew Hancocks, and Haridimos Tsoukas illuminate why this is important for whole societies, organizations and individuals who seek meaning and joy in the work they do. Let me say what I see the book is about.
Every corporation has a personality, but it is normally by default rather than on purpose. A masterpiece personality may sound bold and unattainable, but the authors promise that the journey of turning your organization in to a masterpiece is possible through practices and skills they introduce and exemplify with leaders we already know and admire. The skills include listening for difference, managing moods, truth seeking and saying (especially to power), and moral risk-taking. As such, the authors do not provide a recipe to follow but rather introduce skills and practices that a committed leader at any level in an organization can cultivate to build his or her masterpiece.
While most of us think of ethical corporations as ones that abide by the morality of their communities or the highest morality of their communities, the authors think that masterpiece organizations break with the community’s morality. Why? Although moral norms may create a context of common sense or order, life and commerce are ceaselessly changing. We reach a point where doing the right thing does not yield the right outcome. The authors call such situations moral anomalies. Then the moral order needs adjustment. The leaders who create masterpieces take morally shocking actions that institute new norms. These actions are what the authors call moral risk-taking. And when business leaders do create a masterpiece that is admirable in its own community of employees and customers, others come in to imitate the masterpiece with its norms. Such leaders focus on generating admiration and gratitude and thereby compete well on a new higher ground.
As a leader in any context, creating a masterpiece begins with working on your leadership style, starting with your own foundational story—the story of how you came to be who you are. Chapter 9 shows how you uncover your foundational story, understand your virtues, see how they get in the way, and revise your story and thereby your style of leadership. Like the masterpieces they create, leaders are constantly works in progress.
I think you will find that this book will disturb you in a good way and change how you observe and assess leaders and companies. Leadership development will never be the same when we are developing imaginable leaders who will create masterpieces. And perhaps it will enable you to live an even better life.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Chris Wiesinger
A powerful articulation of the essence of leadership and innovation
Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2024