Fred Kiel is the kind of person whom you actually want to receive advice from—especially in the sometimes-frightening landscape of corporate America. His new book “Return on Character” is more than a simple instruction manual on becoming a better leader; it provides a bit of hope to those who are losing faith in the way big businesses operate.
In a time of corporate corruption, Kiel helps his audience look past the negativity and pessimism in the workforce and discover the good leaders who are out there and willing to support their employees. After nine years of gathering extensive research and interviewing 84 CEOs and their more than 8,000 collective employees, Kiel sorted out two key groups of leaders.
The Virtuoso group includes the beloved leaders who tell the truth, make responsible choices, forgive mistakes, and truly care for those beneath them. On the opposite side are the aptly named “Self-Focused CEOs” (think Mr. Potter from “It’s a Wonderful Life”).
Part of Kiel’s credibility comes from his 40 years of working as an adviser to executive leaders, but his real authority comes from his background as a former Self-Focused CEO who decided to make a change.
