The #1 Principle of Sustainable Business Success Is Simpler Than You Think "Do the Right Thing is about how any company can stay true to its soul. Jim Parker's deep and abiding belief in the power of people and culture in building a business of lasting worth is evident everywhere; so too is his humility and selflessness as a leader--his stories are not about his own achievements, which are many, but those of the people he led, one of the great success stories of our time." --Sean Moriarty, CEO, Ticketmaster "Do the Right Thing offers insightful views into the culture, leadership, and decisions that build great companies the right way. A must read for my management team. THIS BOOK ROCKS." --Kent Taylor, Founder and Chairman, Texas Roadhouse Restaurants "The book is a fun read filled with memorable stories that get at the heart of what it takes to lead in a way that simultaneously satisfies employees, customers, and shareholders. Jim Parker plays the role of eloquent detective and ferrets out the interweaving parts that distributed leadership, culture, values, and teamwork play as the underlying layers of a company's success.This is a book about heroes at all levels and the environment needed to create those heroes. A must-read for today's leaders." --Professor Deborah Ancona, Seley Distinguished Professor of Management and Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center, Sloan School of Management "You'll laugh and cry reading Jim's book, and probably won't be able to put it down. It will forever change the way you view the employees in your organization." --Beverly K. Carmichael, Member, Board of Directors, Society for Human Resource Management People matter most. You know that. But most companies would rather slash costs, cut headcount, replace well-paid employees with lower-paid employees or outsourced workers, and reduce customer service. No wonder so many fail--while others focused on doing the right thing remain profitable and growth oriented for decades. James F. Parker shows why "doing the right thing" isn't just naive "feel-goodism:" it's the most powerful rule for business success. Parker's stories won't just convince you: They'll move you. Naive? No way. In this book, Southwest Airlines' former CEO proves why doing what's right is the #1 rule of business success. James F.Parker tells how after 9/11, Southwest made three pivotal decisions: no layoffs, no pay cuts, and no-hassle refunds for any customer wanting them. The result: Southwest remained profitable and its revenue passenger miles for 4Q01 held steady while the rest of its industry nearly collapsed...and Southwest's market cap soon exceeded all its major competitors combined. These pivotal decisions grew naturally from Southwest's culture of mutual respect and trust. Parker offers deeply personal insights into that culture, revealing how those same principles are used by other people and organizations, showing you that it's really not that hard to Do The Right Thing! *Why doing what's right is the surest way to optimize and sustain value*Putting people first...honestly, for real*Finding great leaders at every level of the organization*Hiring for attitude, training for skills*Achieving unprecedented levels of teamwork (and fun!)

Customer Rating:
Summary: Stories from the great Southwest
Comment: Making no pretense of writing a 'how-to' framework for leadership, former Southwest Airlines CEO James Parker never-the-less delivers a delightful book of stories that show how authentic leadership connects with employees to deliver value for customers and shareholders alike. The stories are interesting, the style is comfortable, and the book is an easy and enjoyable read that will have you thinking about such things as your most memorable interviews, or those the times you showed your staff how valuable they are to you and your business.

This is the second book written by a former Southwest Airlines leader that I have reviewed - "HR from the Heart" by Libby Sartain is the other, and both attribute a great deal of Southwest Airlines' success to the way the organization connects people with the business by respecting and valuing them and their contribution. Sartain showed how Human Resource management (People department at Southwest) can be used to support the individual's connection with the business; Parker tells stories that show leadership's role in making and maintaining this connection. Parker defines leadership as follows:

"Leadership is defining and communicating the mission; providing guidance as to how it might be accomplished; equipping people with the proper tools (information, training, etc.); motivating and inspiring through selfless dedication and respect for others; providing both positive and negative feedback, including recognition for achievement; and, ultimately, getting out of the way and giving people the ability and authority to accomplish the mission, with the full confidence they will be supported."

Parker's stories all support this definition and his basic principle: When in doubt, just do the right thing. For Parker, and it seems for Southwest Airlines, the right thing is to put the employee first. When that happens, the employees will do the right thing and put customers first. When that happens, customers will do the right thing and put the company's shareholders first by giving the company their continued business.

Parker is clear that putting the employee first must be done within the context of your particular business sector and business model although most of the stories are about the airline industry - Parker's industry for 25 years. Because of his directorship role with Texas Roadhouse, Inc., he uses a few chapters near the end of the book to transfer the concept to the restaurant business, and he sprinkles the reading with a few sports and war stories to make his points. The stories connect and flow, so don't be surprised if you read this one in a single setting.

Dennis DeWilde, author of "The Performance Connection"

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Customer Rating:
Summary: great service
Comment: I ordeed this book for my boss and your prompt, efficient service really made me look good.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A triumph of common sense
Comment: Parker's book is a winner. Many short stories, all told with humility and gentle humor lead the reader down the long, fulfilling road of successful relationships. Although a business book, Do The Right Thing carries a powerful message for all interpersonal relationships.

Reading this book is The Right Thing for any leader of a business or of a family.

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