Synopses & Reviews
The unique story of Wall Street legend Joe Grano—six defining moments in courage, leadership, and determination that will inspire readers of every age, and at every stage in lifeFrom Vietnam to 9/11, from the market crash of '87 to today's financial crisis, Wall Street legend Joe Grano has weathered the most defining crises of the last forty years. Whether leading draftees through combat as a Green Beret in Vietnam, regrouping a team of brokers during the market crash of 1987, or working tirelessly to reopen Wall Street after the attacks on 9/11, Joe has served at the front lines of our nation's most defining moments, leading and even inspiring others when things seem at their darkest.
Structured around six specific crises he faced in his life and career, You Can't Predict a Hero will describe how Grano was able to triumph over challenges both personal and professional. Whether teaching himself to walk again after sustaining crippling battle wounds, rising from his hardscrabble beginnings to become a top broker at Merrill Lynch, or shepherding the merger of PaineWebber and UBS, his experience has been hard-won and his perspective like no one else's.
Through it all, Grano has learned to find the opportunity in any crisis, how to calm and inspire those he leads, and how to find the real solution to what can appear as an insurmountable problem.
This dynamic book will inspire anyone looking to make sense of our rapidly changing world, and how to grow and even thrive through any challenge. Problems require solutions, and crisis creates true leaders.
Joseph J. Grano, Jr. is Chairman and CEO of Centurion Holdings LLC, a company that advises private and public companies. From 2001-2004, Grano was Chairman of UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly UBS PaineWebber). Having joined the company in 1988, Grano is credited for turning PaineWebber around and shepherding its merger with Swiss banking giant UBS. Grano began his career as a stock broker at Merrill Lynch, where he rose to various senior management positions over 16 years. A decorated war hero, Grano was chosen by the White House to be chairman of the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council after 9/11, a position he held from 2002-2005. The recipient of countless awards for leadership, civic contributions, as well as honorary degrees, he is involved in a wide range of educational and philanthropic endeavors. He and his wife, Kathy, live in New Jersey.
Mark Levine has written and collaborated on more than 30 books, including the best sellers Second Acts, Die Broke, and Lifescripts, as well as hundreds of magazine articles. He lives Ithaca, New York, and is a member of the Authors Guild.
Synopsis
There are scores of corporate leaders who'd be comfortable having lunch with the President of the United States at the White House to discuss national security. There are dozens who'd fit right in sharing an after work beer at the corner bar with a building security guard who has just become a father. There's only one Joe Grano, who did both on the same day.
There are many things that set Joe Grano apart from the typical corporate leader: his decorated military career, his humble origins, his lack of a formal college education, his meteoric rise. But perhaps the most unique aspect of Grano's life and career is his ability to deal with crisis. When things are at their worst, Grano is at his best. When others grow anxious, Grano becomes calm. He is the living embodiment of what Hemingway called grace under pressure.
Structured around six specific crises he faced in his life and career, the book will describe how Grano was able to triumph over varied challenges. These challenges will range from his time as a Green Beret combat leader in Vietnam to his shepherding the merger of PaineWebber and UBS. The book will explore his historic tenures at both Merrill Lynch and PaineWebber, dealing with the Crash of 1987 and the attacks of September 11. Also included will be defining personal moments, such as Grano's overcoming a 60 percent disability from wounds and his battling through the collapse of a major investment.
Taken together, these six defining moments will serve not just as the touchstones in a remarkable life story, but as six lessons in courage, leadership, and determination that will inspire readers of every age, and at every stage in life.
Synopsis
The unique story of Wall Street legend Joe Grano—six defining moments in courage, leadership, and determination that will inspire readers of every age, and at every stage in life
From Vietnam to 9/11, from the market crash of '87 to today's financial crisis, Wall Street legend Joe Grano has weathered the most defining crises of the last forty years. Whether leading draftees through combat as a Green Beret in Vietnam, regrouping a team of brokers during the market crash of 1987, or working tirelessly to reopen Wall Street after the attacks on 9/11, Joe has served at the front lines of our nation's most defining moments, leading and even inspiring others when things seem at their darkest.
Structured around six specific crises he faced in his life and career, You Can't Predict a Hero will describe how Grano was able to triumph over challenges both personal and professional. Whether teaching himself to walk again after sustaining crippling battle wounds, rising from his hardscrabble beginnings to become a top broker at Merrill Lynch, or shepherding the merger of PaineWebber and UBS, his experience has been hard-won and his perspective like no one else's.
Through it all, Grano has learned to find the opportunity in any crisis, how to calm and inspire those he leads, and how to find the real solution to what can appear as an insurmountable problem.
This dynamic book will inspire anyone looking to make sense of our rapidly changing world, and how to grow and even thrive through any challenge. Problems require solutions, and crisis creates true leaders.
Joseph J. Grano, Jr. is Chairman and CEO of Centurion Holdings LLC, a company that advises private and public companies. From 2001-2004, Grano was Chairman of UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly UBS PaineWebber). Having joined the company in 1988, Grano is credited for turning PaineWebber around and shepherding its merger with Swiss banking giant UBS. Grano began his career as a stock broker at Merrill Lynch, where he rose to various senior management positions over 16 years. A decorated war hero, Grano was chosen by the White House to be chairman of the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council after 9/11, a position he held from 2002-2005. The recipient of countless awards for leadership, civic contributions, as well as honorary degrees, he is involved in a wide range of educational and philanthropic endeavors. He and his wife, Kathy, live in New Jersey.
Mark Levine has written and collaborated on more than 30 books, including the best sellers Second Acts, Die Broke, and Lifescripts, as well as hundreds of magazine articles. He lives Ithaca, New York, and is a member of the Authors Guild.
Synopsis
From Vietnam to 9/11, Wall Street legend Grano has weathered the most defining crises of the last 40 years. Through it all, he has learned to find the opportunity in any situation. This dynamic book reveals how to grow and even thrive through any challenge.
Synopsis
There are many things that set Joe Grano apart from the typical corporate leader: his decorated military career, his humble origins, his lack of a formal college education, his meteoric rise. But perhaps the most unique aspect of Grano's life and career is his ability to deal with crisis. When things are at their worst, Grano is at his best.
From Vietnam to 9/11, from the market crash of '87 to today's financial crisis, Wall Street legend Joe Grano has been at the front lines of the most defining American crises of the last forty years. Whether leading draftees through combat as a Green Beret in Vietnam, regrouping a team of brokers during the market crash of 1987, or working tirelessly to reopen Wall Street after the attacks on 9/11, Joe has served at the forefront, leading and even inspiring others when things seem at their darkest.
Structured around six specific crises he faced in his life and career, You Can't Predict a Hero tells the unique story of how Grano was able to triumph over challenges both personal and professional. Whether teaching himself to walk again after sustaining crippling battle wounds, rising from his hardscrabble beginnings to become a top broker at Merrill Lynch, or shepherding the merger of PaineWebber and UBS, his experience has been hard-won and his perspective like no one else's.
Through it all, Grano has learned to find the opportunity in any crisis, how to calm and inspire those he leads, and how to find the real solution to what can appear as an insurmountable problem.
This dynamic book will inspire anyone looking to make sense of our rapidly changing world, and how to grow and even thrive through any challenge. Problems require solutions, and in times of crisis true leaders emerge.
Synopsis
"Joe Grano is one of America's great business leaders. There's no one better at leading in a time of crisis."
—Lee Iacocca
"I have read many books on 'leadership.' Joe Grano's You Can't Predict a Hero is, quite simply, the best by far. This is a terrific book, for the story it tells, for the lessons it teaches, and for the solutions it offers. I recommend it highly."
—George Pataki, former governor of New York
"Whatever the challenge—the market crash of '87, the LTCM (Long-Term Capital Management) crisis, 9/11—Joe Grano is a natural-born leader and he takes charge."
—Richard Grasso, former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange
"The first time we didn't listen to Joe's advice was the last time we didn't listen to Joe's advice. Joe Grano is a believer, a patriot, and above all, a great friend."
—Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio
"Joe Grano's leadership skills were proven in Vietnam. He was simply the best. He's a recognized warrior, not only in combat but in the boardroom as well. Joe is a true Special Forces soldier."
—Lewis C. Merletti, director (retired), United States Secret Service, 5th Special Forces Group Vietnam 1969–1970
About the Author
Joseph J. Grano, Jr. is chairman and CEO of Centurion Holdings LLC, a company that advises private and public companies. From 2001-2004, Grano was chairman of UBS Financial Services, Inc. (formerly UBS PaineWebber). Having joined the company in 1988, Grano is credited for turning PaineWebber around and shepherding its merger with Swiss banking giant UBS. Grano began his career as a stock broker at Merrill Lynch, where he rose to various senior management positions over sixteen years. He was also chairman of the Board of Governors of the NASD. A decorated war hero, Grano was chosen by the White House to be chairman of the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council after 9/11, a position he held from 2002-2005. The recipient of countless awards for leadership, civic contributions, as well as honorary degrees, he is involved in a wide range of educational and philanthropic endeavors. Grano is also a producer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway smash Jersey Boys.
For more information, please visitwww.Joe-Grano.com.
Mark Levine has written and collaborated on more than thirty books, including the bestsellers Second Acts, Die Broke, and Lifescripts, as well as hundreds of magazine articles. He lives in Ithaca, New York.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Lee Iacocca xi
Preface xiii
1 LEADERS: ARE THEY BORN OR MADE? 3
2 PROBLEMS REQUIRE SOLUTIONS 21
3 BE THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST 51
4 RECONCILE YOURSELF TO SELFISHNESS 69
5 YOU CAN’T PREDICT A HERO 89
6 THE TRUTH IS NEVER WRONG 101
7 HUMANITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIERARCHY 117
8 SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 143
9 CAN A LEADER PROSPER WITHOUT A MISTRESS? 163
10 QUEEN FOR A DAY 175
Epilogue: Reach, Lift, and Embrace 199
About the Authors 207
Acknowledgments 209
Index 211