Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win

Return on Character is well written. It speaks to the young person finishing their education by giving them a track to run on. It addresses the issues facing someone not satisfied with their current career momentum. Any age, any career, in my opinion, people can make positive changes from reading this very well researched and easy to read book. I feel the Takeaways or synopsis at end of each chapter is really a very useful tool to highlight points made in the chapter. Offering website information, showing the questions asked of each person involved in the research gives a person the chance to compare their own experience with those researched. I feel this book should be required reading from junior in High School to the day one feels they no longer need to learn something that will benefit themselves and those around them.

Not since I wrote Business Success Through Self-Knowledge have I read a leadership book that gives equal value to "who the leader is" and "what the leader does". Dr. Kiel is correct in observing that "trust flows from strong character habits", and I would add, these habits flow from self-knowledge. As long as your basic mental models (supported by neurobiology) and fortifying habits remain in force, you will only achieve a more efficient existence, not true freedom. I would add that self-knowledge brings forth "moral intuitions", modulates the expression of the "Big Five", and integrates the slow brain and the fast brain in a way that balances drives. In short, "the truth will set you free." I recommend this data based book highly and have purchased multiple copies for several top executives in the business world.William D. Ant on, Ph.D.

A study by KRW International surveyed employees and CEOs in 84 companies about the character of their leadership teams and compared the results to their financial performance. High character CEOs and leadership teams, as judged by their employees, had an average return on assets (ROA) of 9.35%, while the mid-group ratings on character had an ROA of 4.83%, and the lowest character group averaged 1.93% ROA. The average ROA for the S&P 500 ranges from 2 – 3.25%.

I loved this book as it supplied empirical evidence to support what you likely already suspected contributes to some companies performing better than others. Empirical evidence aside, it's a new perspective on the role leadership plays that has been previously presented as either not applicable or not mentioned. I totally get it and I encourage all to become virtuoso leaders by following the path laid out in the book so you can see where you need to change direction.

Data-driven, research-based findings that you can do well by doing good as a leader. Reinforces Collins' Good to Great, that leaders who have integrity, values, and think of the greater good can (and do) perform at the highest levels of business.

Profound, based on convincing data and experience, insightful, very human without being naive, putting people first without compromising on effectivness or quality, this book provides a clear blueprint for anybody searching to improve her/his leadership and to reconcile who she/he is with what she/he knows. Great book, with a place in my top 20 shelf!

If you care about the journey to success as much as the results of your department or company. This book provides a road map to developing yourself and delivering results. It will required the strength of an individual to explore and acknowledge there own failings so they can grow.

Thoroughly enjoyed this bookHas given me many take aways I can use in my businessRecommend this book to all aspiring CEOs

This is a very good book which in my opinion writes about a topic that has been long forgotten, that is character. The book gives solid reasons why leaders of great character do well and why leaders of lesser character don't. We feel this book in workplaces - not realising always that a leader's character is what sets apart that particular organisation and why it is such a great place to work from top to bottom. If you are looking for a book that can help you to realign your leadership skills or that can help to make a great workplace I highly recommend this book. The one question I am left pondering though is 'Can great characters be created or are they born that way? The old nature vs nurture question'.

Excellent Product and Amazing service ........

I loved this book because it is evidenced based and one of the few books about who leaders are and can be as people rather than the normal focus on doing. I particularly liked chapter 7 which the author calls a workshop. This chapter is very practical and has some great flow charts to facilitate step by step action. I endorse the authors call to action towards the end where he says "I hope you will rethink, abandon, and call out the withered and outdated ideas of Self-Focused leadership and hone your own skills of virtuosity."We need leaders of character more than ever and this book is a very good pathway anyone willing can follow in their own way to become such a leader.

Great

great read