The Adversity Paradox An Unconventional Guide to Achieving Uncommon Business Success

by Griswell, J. Barry; Jennings, Bob

• ISBN13: 9780312598792
• ISBN10: 0312598793
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-08
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

Oprah Winfrey, Harvey Mackay, Doris Christopher, and Rick Hendrick have firsthand knowledge of 'œthe adversity paradox': working to overcome humble beginnings, lack of knowledge, unexpected setbacks, or any manner of misfortune that may come your way and turning it into the greatest tool to building savvy. They all relate how the knowledge they gained from overcoming adversity played such a crucial role in their success trajectories that they now considered adversity their friend. But The Adversity Paradox isn't merely a collection of motivational anecdotes; it's also a distillation of knowledge gained over many years in business. While many motivational business books promise easy access to prosperity and power by way of secret insight, quick and easy steps, or 'œinsider tips' that are dubious at best, The Adversity Paradox tells it straight. It offers no secret formula or silver bullet. Instead it offers candid accounts from those whose skills, resourcefulness, and confidence have been tested by adversity and who have put their misfortunes to good use by gaining business savvy from them. The paths to success are diverse, but The Adversity Paradox identifies definitive patterns that anyone can study and learn from.

Author Biography

J. Barry Griswell is former chairman and chief executive officer of the Principal Financial Group. He is a 2003 recipient of the Horatio Alger Award, given to individuals who have achieved great success while overcoming difficult backgrounds. He is president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.
Bob Jennings is president of Lean Management Group, a consulting company focused on senior management methods and execution.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
What Is Business Savvy, Anyway?	p. 1
The Individual Human Capital of the Business Savvy	p. 26
The Power of "And Then Some": The Connection Between Adversity, Individual Human Capital, and Business Savvy	p. 55
Just Add Introspection: Human Capital Component No. 1	p. 83
What Does Behavior Have to Do with Values? Everything! Human Capital Component No. 2	p. 104
Work Character-Sorry, but There's No Substitute for Hard Work: Human Capital Component No. 3	p. 129
Purpose and Passion-You Really Can Take the Work Out of Work: Human Capital Component No. 4	p. 162
The Transformative Power of a Lifelong Thirst for Knowledge: Human Capital Component No. 5	p. 191
Using the Adversity Paradox to Triumph Over Unexpected Trajectory Changes	p. 212
Epilogue: Practicing the Paradox	p. 240
Appendix	p. 243
Notes	p. 249
Acknowledgments	p. 255
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