How We Lead Matters: Reflections on a Life of Leadership

by Marilyn Carlson Nelson

From the woman named one of “America's Best Leaders” by U.S. News & Report
Powerful insights into the practice of motivation
Marilyn Carlson Nelson has achieved global recognition for the Carlson brands of hotels, restaurants, cruise, travel, and marketing services. But that's only part of the story. As a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Marilyn has always put people first. When her grandson asked a simple question about her life, she decided to write it all down-her fondest memories and deepest insights-in How We Lead Matters: Reflections on a Life of Leadership . This thoughtful book offers a surprisingly personal glimpse into a multi-faceted woman who happens to be one of the most successful CEOs in the world. She describes the thrill of flying in an F16 over Death Valley (without getting sick), and throwing a barbeque for the KGB (who preferred vodka to the traditional beer). She shares the difficulty of making choices and sacrifices to run her family's business, and the heartbreak of losing a child. Her insights are sprinkled with the timeless words of Mahatma Gandhi, Anne Frank, Oscar Wilde, Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, and others, as she talks about what it's like to be a woman in today's business world, while reflecting on an engaging array of subjects-from equal rights to corporate wrongs to motherhood. Most compelling of all, she reveals how a meaningful legacy is built one day at a time.

Genres: Leadership

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ashraf Haggag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this valuable book , It gave me a wider view on leadership .I recommend it to companies leaders and senior management.

[R · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is neither inspirational nor motivational. It’s not well researched either. The lessons that the author tries to derive from her experiences are either too exaggerated or too obvious. As much as the book is boring for its mundane writing, it’s boring because the author fails to bring out any element of empathy from the readers for her experiences. Throughout the book I wondered how a book like this can ever be published. The title of the book is totally misleading. ‘How we lead matters’, I agree – nowhere in the book though the author mentioned anything about leadership or exceptional decisions. Everything that’s there in the book is a collection of personal stories followed by unrelated quotes from poems or writers.

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book written by the privileged, for the privileged. It is full of anecdotal cliches and memories of Carlson Nelson's life, a life full of ski trips and Ivy League schools and dozens of other things us peasant folk could never relate to. She is unabashedly ignorant: she LITERALLY refers to a Black woman as "colored" - ok Jim Crowe Carlson, thanks for the backwards time travel. She's completely out of touch with the real world, speaking primarily to CEOs and other privileged Americans who just refuse to understand that success is not simply the result of a positive attitude and an arsenal of inspirational quotes, but also class, race and gender privilege that most people do not have access to. Just another example of the 1% fetishizing themselves.

Note: If you're wondering why I even bothered reading it: my uncle bought it for me for my college graduation. I'm sure he meant well....I mean the title is great.

[Julie Glynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short little book. It is not what you would expect, not a typical business book written by a powerful CEO, but true life experiences from a human perspective of a wonderful woman who also happens to have significant influence in the business world. Inspiring!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see using this book as a motivational tool. There are so many of these types about leadership (I've got 3 on my shelf), that it tends to get old after a while. What kept this book around for me is the setup. The book is comprised of one-page excerpts on the right hand side--little stories about leading. On the left hand side are famous quotes by famous people about leadership and the like. That part I loved because not only are they thought-provoking and motivational, they are tidbits you can use to get others going. Guess who said "be the change" first? Not Obama but Ghandi! Who knew? Not me...

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by attending the 2009 Leadership matters annual meeting for Meet Minneapolis. Marilyn Carlson Nelson was the speaker and highlighted her stories and experiences from this book. She is a very entertaining and motivating lady. I admire her passion for people and volunteering. I thought it was neat of her to write this book because she wanted her grandkids to know her when she's gone. I feel the book doesn't realy do justice as it does hearing her talk about her experiences. she's a very spiritual lady and cares for her family, friends and employees which is a neat thing.

[Terrence Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a joy to read because of the quotes and it's simply a simple read. I also like the book because it is different from the other business books. It is affirmation that business leaders are excellent thinkers. This is a book that I would give to emerging leaders.

[Jess Lindgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh, made me cry, made me widen my eyes in wonderment at Marilyn's worldview, accomplishments, and life. Well-worth a read, and I'm so glad that this was published as a book and made accessible to the public rather than kept as a memoir for her family.

[Elcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has short, easy to read, inspiring stories of life and buisness. I learned many lessons for my life, even though I am not in the workforce.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this book for Dad but I read it first (!). Inspiring, quick read about CEO of Carlson Companies (MN based).

[Tidw0007 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a worthwhile read, but very sentimental, and not at all a "business" book. The quotes are pretty cool, and having met Marilyn a couple of times, I can see how she got to where she is.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vignettes of privilege, yes, but also valuable life lessons and meaningful quotes.A master of brievity, she freely shares with humility.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with another's comment: "This is a worthwhile read, but very sentimental, and not at all a "business" book."

[Todd Mckeever · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't what I was expecting not written the way I thought it would be. It had some good stories and felt a little sentimental at times.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick little read. good stories and selection of quotes but I was hoping for more meat on skills to be as successful