Synopses & Reviews
An astute diagnosis of one of the biggest problems in business Denial is the unconscious determination that a certain reality is too terrible to contemplate, so therefore it cannot be true. We see it everywhere, from the alcoholic who swears he's just a social drinker to the president who declares "mission accomplished" when it isn't. In the business world, countless companies get stuck in denial while their challenges escalate into crises.
Harvard Business School professor Richard S. Tedlow tackles two essential questions: Why do sane, smart leaders often refuse to accept the facts that threaten their companies and careers? And how do we find the courage to resist denial when facing new trends, changing markets, and tough new competitors?
Tedlow looks at numerous examples of organizations crippled by denial, including Ford in the era of the Model T and Coca-Cola with its abortive attempt to change its formula. He also explores other companies, such as Intel, Johnson and Johnson, and DuPont, that avoided catastrophe by dealing with harsh realities head-on.
Tedlow identifies the leadership skills that are essential to spotting the early signs of denial and taking the actions required to overcome it.
Review
“Richard Tedlow blends historical rigor with practical insights useful to today’s leaders—a rare and wonderful combination. His huge lesson—that the seeds of tragic demise are almost always visible, if only leaders would face them square-on—should terrify any successful person.”—
Jim Collins, author
Good to Great and
How the Mighty Fall
“This lucid and scary history of our proclivity to deny uncomfortable truth is Richard Tedlow at his analytical best. But plan ahead before you pick it up. It is very hard to put down.”—Clayton M. Christensen, Author of The Innovator’s Dilemma
“In this absorbing study, Tedlow makes the case that the willingness to face harsh facts is what distinguishes great leaders from merely adequate ones. A must-read.”—Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook
“Tedlow’s book forces the business executive to ask: ‘Is this about me?’ If the answer is yes, you’ve got a problem. The stories presented here can help you work your way out of it.”—Suzy Welch, author of 10-10-10
“Tedlow’s book is a fascinating look at the phenomenon of denial. It’s a great explanation of why smart leaders act dumb, and what you can do about it."—Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert
Synopsis
Tedlow tackles two of the biggest problems in business: Why do sane, smart leaders often refuse to accept the facts that threaten their companies? And how do they find the courage to resist denial when facing new trends, changing markets, and tough new competitors?
Synopsis
"Wise. Relevant. Riveting." -Jim Collins, author of Good to Great Denial is the unconscious belief that a certain fact is too terrible to face and therefore cannot be true. It turns challenges into crises, dilemmas into catastrophes. It's the single greatest obstacle business leaders face.
Now Harvard business School professor Richard S. Tedlow tackles two essential questions: Why do so many sane, smart leaders often refuse to accept and act on the facts that threaten their companies and careers? And how do we find the courage to resist denial when facing new trends, changing markets, and tough new competitors?
Tedlow highlights strategies the best leaders use to face hard facts and turn challenges into opportunities. His book will help you become one of them.
Synopsis
"Wise. Relevant. Riveting." -Jim Collins, author of Good to Great Denial is the unconscious belief that a certain fact is too terrible to face and therefore cannot be true. It turns challenges into crises, dilemmas into catastrophes. It's the single greatest obstacle business leaders face.
Now Harvard business School professor Richard S. Tedlow tackles two essential questions: Why do so many sane, smart leaders often refuse to accept and act on the facts that threaten their companies and careers? And how do we find the courage to resist denial when facing new trends, changing markets, and tough new competitors?
Tedlow highlights strategies the best leaders use to face hard facts and turn challenges into opportunities. His book will help you become one of them.
About the Author
Richard S. Tedlow is the Class of 1949 Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. His previous books include Andy Grove (one of BusinessWeek's ten best books of 2006), Giants of Enterprise (one of BusinessWeek's ten best books of 2001), and The Watson Dynasty. He has written articles for The Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and many other publications.