Achieve the pinnacle of leadership

In today's divisive environment, leaders of honorable character are more important than ever. In Adored, Tom DeCotiis defines a leader of honorable character as someone earning a reputation for human goodness combined with outstanding achievement. Dr. DeCotiis labels such a leader as "Adored" and explains why being adored by followers is so important. It is also very rare. Drawing on a fifty-plus year career as a teacher, entrepreneur, and CEO of a company with a forty-year record of success, DeCotiis conveys a message of values-based leadership that makes no distinction between ethical principles and business acumen. He skillfully mixes his own personal narrative with actionable and insightful lessons using examples from business, sports, and the military to create a valuable guide for leaders who aspire to be adored and memorable rather than merely accepted.

My first leadership gig was as the owner of a hamburger stand on the border between the Inglewood and Watts neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California. My employees came from both neighborhoods, so it was a real problem when we were hit by the Watts riot of August 1965. The riots almost killed my business' no pun intended, and it didn't help that the parents of my employees were afraid to let their kids work, especially at night. Everybody was afraid, many were armed, and life seemed to hit pause. It took my team and me almost a year to rebuild the business to where it had been before the riots. It was a difficult time, but a teaching time as good things that came from the experience. For example, a much deeper appreciation for what people need at the level of their DNA: To belong and to have significance. The experience and this kind of learning tipped me toward completing my education. From flipping burgers, I went on to earn MBA and PhD degrees and, from there, to a position on the faculty of Cornell University.

That was a long time ago, and since that time, my experience has grown to include membership on IBM's advisory board during its turnaround days, board service with several not-for-profits organizations and a couple of for profit companies, trusted advisor to the leaders of several companies and non-profit organizations, co-founder of a company that has thrived for forty years, being directly involved in the founding of several companies, and membership of the turnaround teams at Greyhound Bus Lines and Darden Restaurants.

In terms of writing credibility, I have published more than 100 articles (academic and practitioner), several book chapters, and one other book. My first book, Make It Glow: How to Earn a Reputation for Human Goodness, Flawless Execution, and Being Best-in-Class (2008), has received several excellent reviews. Make It Glow sold some 4,000 hard copies with no marketing support. That mistake will not be repeated with this book.