
Icons And Idiots
Straight Talk on Leadership
Portfolio (Publisher)
Published on 30. September 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-59184-696-3 (ISBN)
Description
When Bob Lutz retired from General Motors in 2010, after an unparalleled forty-seven-year career in the auto industry, he was one of the most respected leaders in American business. He had survived all kinds of managers over those decades: tough and timid, analytical and irrational, charismatic and antisocial, and some who seemed to shift frequently among all those traits. His experiences made him an expert on leadership, every bit as much as he was an expert on cars and trucks.
Now Lutz is revealing the leaders—good, bad, and ugly—who made the strongest impression on him throughout his career. Icons and Idiots is a collection of shocking and often hilarious true stories and the lessons Lutz drew from them. From enduring the sadism of a Marine Corps drill instructor, to working with a washed-up alcoholic, to taking over the reins from a convicted felon, he reflects on the complexities of all-too-human leaders. No textbook or business school course can fully capture their idiosyncrasies, foibles and weaknesses - which can make or break companies in the real world.
Lutz shows that we can learn just as much from the most stubborn, stupid, and corrupt leaders as we can from the inspiring geniuses. He offers fascinating profiles of icons and idiots such as...
- Eberhard von Kuenheim. The famed CEO of BMW was an aristocrat-cum-street fighter who ruled with secrecy, fear, and deft maneuvering.
- Harold A. "Red” Poling: A Ford CEO and the ultimate bean counter. If it couldn't be quantified, he didn't want to know about it.
- Lee Iacocca: The legendary Chrysler CEO appeared to be brillant and bold, but was often vulnerable and insecure behind the scenes.
- G. Richard "Rick” Wagoner: The perfect peacetime CEO whose superior intelligence couldn't save GM from steep decline and a government bailout.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Penguin Putnam Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
312 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59184-696-3 (9781591846963)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2013
Portfolio
€5.49
Available for download
Person
Bob Lutz had a legendary 47-year career as one of the most respected "car guys" in history. He held senior leadership positions at four of the world's leading automakers--GM, Ford, Chrysler, and BMW. He was most recently the vice chairman of General Motors from 2001 to 2010, the years leading up to and through GM's bankruptcy. He is the bestselling author of Guts: 8 Laws of Business from One of the Most Innovative Business Leaders of Our Time and Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business.
Summary