Leading with Heart: Essential Principles for Succeeding in the Next Generation of Business

Marty Wolff: In my profession as an executive coach, I am always looking out for leadership lessons I can share with clients. This work by Hubert Joly, gave me many lessons. I also realized that people like Joly were either smart enough or lucky enough that they eventually learned the lesson that human beings are the source of all real success. The main take-a-way for me is that this work gives leaders insights so they AVOID a turnaround situation at their own company.

United States on Sep 04, 2023

Stacey Jahnke: I liked how he incorporated the past leadership qualities with the new qualities. He gave specific examples of why leadership and companies must evolve and change. He brought focus, humility, and understanding . Good read.

United States on Aug 24, 2023

César Bernabeu: Great book for emerging leaders that want to know more about the history and turnaround of different organizations.

Spain on Jul 10, 2023

Alberto Contreras: I enjoy this book because helped me to understand and also reminded me that organizations are made by people and they are the one who builds magic, and most important our job is to take care of them, support them and serve them. Good narrative with clear examples of it.

Mexico on Jul 09, 2023

Majid Kazi: The book is refreshing because it comes from a guy who has graduated from numbers-driven leadership (he's ex McKinsey) to purpose and people driven leadership. Lot of authentic advice and examples. However, it's not for everyone. A few years ago, my younger self would have thought this is too feel-goodey and unrealistically positive. So if someone is in that mental zone, they may not get much value from this book. Watch some of Hubert's videos before buying this book to gauge if you are aligned with what this book has to offer.

India on Jun 29, 2023

Claire: Can't say enough good things about this book. I found it thread a needle well through the challenge of for profit business having imperatives while also serving more than just it's investors.

Often books from C-suite executives lose touch with the reality for the hundreds of thousands inside their organization. This book grounds itself in motivations and messages that serve everyday employees with a purpose that goes beyond hitting the bottom line. Making the bottom line an output of serving your employees, customers, and community turns historical capitalism upside down.

Each section ends with questions for the reader to consider in their own situation and leads to growth of the reader throughout the book. This book is sure to change how you view your work and your priorities.

United States on Feb 14, 2023

Dave Taylor: Hubert Joly shares a truly inspiring approach to leadership focused on purpose before profit that empowers teams to innovate and deliver truly game-changing results.

He focuses on his time at Best Buy as CEO to bring this leadership style to life through a case study that shows the power of purposeful, people focused leadership.

United Kingdom on Nov 24, 2022

B.Sudhakar ShenoyB.Sudhakar Shenoy: Five sixth of the people working across organizations today are not fully engaged at work. In terms of loss of productivity, this costs us several trillion dollars. Apart from burning themselves at work, they create dissatisfied customers, unhappy shareholders, disgusted suppliers, and a toxic work environment. The basic assumption is that work is drudgery, and one seeks ‘work-life balance’ to live life and escape from the misery of work.

On the other hand, the small minority who find work meaningful, enjoyable and a way of finding meaning to a purposeful life, excel, enjoy, and energise the workplace. The book is about finding the difference.

Stakeholder capitalism that goes beyond the narrow concept of shareholder wealth maximization, is at the core of this book. The book is based on Hubert Joly’s personal experience in turning around Best Buy from Bankruptcy to stakeholder prosperity.

There are two excellent frameworks in this book. Consider 4 aspects of an individual. 1. Doing what you love. 2. What you are good at. 3. What you can be paid for. 4. What the world needs. The illustration on page 30 depicts these four aspects in intersecting circles...

India on Nov 26, 2021

Ian MannIan Mann: Try proposing a business turnaround that will convert the loss-making company into a profitable one, by introducing all the ‘soft stuff’ HR people sprout straight after graduation. In response, at best, you will get ‘the look’ – which translates into ‘don’t worry, just one year in the real world of business you will shed all that nonsense.’
Author Hubert Joly began his career in the highly analytical environment of a McKinsey consultant, and later served as the president, CEO and director of Carlson, a global hospitality and travel conglomerate. When he left Carlson, he was offered the leadership of Best Buy, a chain of electronics retailers.
At that time Circuit City, a one-time giant in the same industry, had filed for bankruptcy and Radio Shack was headed that way. Best Buy’s operational performance had been deteriorating in the US market for several years.
Having realized that the attack from Amazon’s low prices was not the problem plaguing Best Buy, nor was the market or digital disruption, Joly agreed to take over the leadership. At the time, Best Buy’s shares were trading in single digits. By the time Joly left, it was trading at $75. In the 7...

United States on Aug 03, 2021

Gary Shapiro: Covid has taught us that we need real contact with each other. Joly didn't need Covid to teach him what this means for business as he brings it front and center in every page of his book.

Best Buy's (BB) CEO Hubert Joly has written a compelling book which may open the eyes of those focused on a more traditional business approach.

When Joly joined BB in July 2012, the company was limping downhill. Its share price languished around $11, company financial indicators were going south, and BB stores had inconsistent and lackluster customer service. A failing company’s board of directors often hires an outsider CEO to make tough decisions and cut staff. An outsider won't have relationships or affection for the staff like long time leaders. When BB hired a French CEO, Hubert Joly, from outside the tech or retail world (he headed travel business Carson), I assumed it was to close stores, cut employees and pump-up profits

But instead of closing stores and firing thousands of people, Joly took a different approach - one he describes in “The Heart of Business.” Joly’s personal and business journey transitioned from a philosophy of numbers and ‘only results...

United States on May 04, 2021