Pivot Points: Five Decisions Every Successful Leader Must Make

PRAISE FOR PIVOT POINTS Pivot Points is an important book for anyone who wants to understand that leadership is a journey of becoming. The five–pivotal–decisions approach to leadership will enable you to discover what is truly important in that journey. HARRY M. JANSEN KRAEMER, Jr., Professor at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, Former Chairman and CEO of Baxter International, Author of From Values To Action: The Four Principles of Values–based Leadership Pivot Points is the leadership book to read if you read only one this year. Most can only write about leadership as an art or science given their vantage point but Julia Tang Peters writes authoritatively from both perspectives. Pivot Points offers a balanced approach in guiding future global leaders. OLIVER SICAT, CEO of Ednovate, Inc. and former Chief Portfolio Officer for Chicago Public Schools If you are only going to have time for one business read, make it Pivot Points . Julia Tang Peters book enables clear and rational decision making at key career milestones. ROBERT L. CRUTCHFIELD, Partner, Harbert Venture Partners In Pivot Points I saw my own life. It clarifies my experience and strengthens my resolve to meet the next challenge and keep my focus on the exciting times ahead. RICHARD A. ANDREWS, President and CEO of Thrasos Innovation, Inc. The unique perspective of this book is powerfully clear: leadership is about decision–makingin fact a journey of particular, connected decisions. Pivot Points creatively blends stories and empirical study to offer compelling insights that are sure to inspire courage and personal responsibility. Pivot Points brings it all together: What is leadership? What motivates leaders? What essential decisions do successful leaders make? JOHN L. WARD, P H D, Clinical Professor of Family Enterprise, Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management I tend to avoid reading leadership books, but this one has given me a new perspective about where I am and where I still want to go. Ive had a good long run in my career and Pivot Points helped me recommit to designing the future. LUCIEN LAGRANGE, Architect Pivot Points is a must read for anyone interested in mastering the art of leadership. It clearly and compellingly addresses leadership as an evolutionary process of discovery, reflection and creationan art to be mastered. KEN WERNER, President of a division in a major entertainment studio

Preface: A Different Approach to Leadership and Careers v Acknowledgments xi 1 From Ordinary Career to Leadership Journey: What Separates Leaders from Managers? 1 Decision–Making Leaders, Leader–Making Decisions 2 Are Five Pivotal Decisions the Experience of Just Leaders or Everyone? 4 Pivotal Decisions Determine the Journey 6 Five Characteristics of a Pivotal Decision 9 The Art of Leading and the Science of Management 11 The Leaders We Should Learn From 12 2 IDEA: Bud Frankel, Founder and Former Chairman of Frankel & Company 15 Why You Should Know Him and about His Work 15 What Matters to Bud Frankel 17 Bud’s Pivotal Decisions 26 The Leader’s Legacy 41 3 CHANGE: Glen Tullman, Managing Partner of 7wire Ventures; Former CEO of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions 43 Why You Should Know Him and about His Work 43 What Matters to Glen Tullman 46 Glen’s Pivotal Decisions 60 The Leader’s Legacy 73 4 TEAM: John W. Rogers, Jr., Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Ariel Investments LLC 75 Why You Should Know Him and about His Work 75 What Matters to John Rogers 77 John’s Pivotal Decisions 90 The Leader’s Legacy 108 5 CULTURE: Al Golin, Founder and Chairman of GolinHarris 111 Why You Should Know Him and about His Work 111 What Matters to Al Golin 113 Al’s Pivotal Decisions 120 The Leader’s Legacy 139 6 PASSION: Dale Dawson, Founder and CEO of Bridge2Rwanda 143 Why You Should Know Him and about His Work 143 What Matters to Dale Dawson 145 Dale’s Pivotal Decisions 156 The Leader’s Legacy 177 7 Lessons from the Journeys of Five Leaders 181 What Do Leaders Have in Common? 181 Leaders Continually Create Their Jobs 191 8 Lessons from Survey Findings 193 Do Pivot Points Occur in Most People’s Careers? 194 How Do People Make Pivotal Decisions? 200 To Lead Is to Create 208 9 Your Pivotal Five: A New Career Road Map 211 Connecting Your Dots: Your Pivotal Decisions 213 Connecting Your Dots: Your Decision–Making Behavior 216 Leader, Manager, Wanderer, and Clock Puncher 220 Warning Signs 225 Your Authentic Path 228 About the Author 231 Index 233

Julia Tang Peters works with leaders and their teams when bold clear leadership and organizational support are imperative. Her clients include Fortune 100 global corporations as well as entrepreneurial companies. With a career spanning business, academia and clinical psychology, Julia has held leadership roles at Leo Burnett Company, Aon Hewitt, a tech incubator, Northwestern University, and The Family Institute. Extensive global travel also informs her perspective on values–based leadership and success. Pivot Points is Julias first book. She earned a Masters of Management degree from Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Science degree from Northwestern Universitys School of Education and Social Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Lake Forest College. Also a Licensed Family Therapist, she has a Certificate in Family Therapy from The Family Institute. Julia lives in Chicago with her husband, and has four adult children. To learn more, visit juliatangpeters.com/.