The Heart of Business

The first part of the book was a little slow, but the second half was excellent. It was a great reminder of the importance of leadership, vision and non-financial factors to drive a business forward and build a financially successful enterprise.

Emotions and emotional intelligence (EQ) aren’t taught in business school, and are rarely evident in abundance in the corner offices of CEOs. And yet here’s one ready to admit to the errors of his earlier ways, and to have adjusted his leadership style at Best Buy accordingly. If it can happen in business, why not in politics, too, perhaps saving us from leaders who lack empathy.

Joly is a French executive and former McKinsey numbers whiz who improbably engineered the resurgence of a struggling Best Buy by putting his faith in what he calls “human magic.” CEOs often talk about “putting people first” but Joly details precisely how he did this and shows why it is essential to what he calls “the next era of capitalism.” He is especially poignant in linking his own early experience working a series of soul-destroying low-wage jobs and his determination to create a working environment in which people felt- and were- valued. Joly is especially clear on the link between… show more.