In his book "The Leadership Crisis and the Free Market Cure" John A Allison shares his story in BB&T as well as his recent experience leading CATO Institute. What is different about Allison book and other business biographies is the philosophical foundation.
Allison shares a coherent and clearly defines philosophical framework that ruled his journey in BB&T, in CATO and in his own life. Comprised of twelve values the system is sound enough to guide people's actions and solve conflicts. Allison suggests that the current crisis is the result of a weak value system that has allowed the system to divert from the Founders vision. If America wants to recover its dynamism, and leadership people have to demand from their government officials to be principle centered and less pragmatic.
Allison presents a broad range of business areas, from finance to people management. From growth by M&A or organic to process management. In each the narrative is similar, an explanation of what they did, what challenges they faced and how sticking to its principles paid off in the long run.
His undeniable success leading BB&T from a $4.5Billion in assets bank to $135Billion gives Allison the moral background to suggest that following a similar philosophical framework could result in the return to the founding principles of the USA; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
The book doesn't have a narrative that flows, at times it is easy to loose focus because the pace is monotonous, yet the message is strong enough to get back on track.
More on Allison and his career in an interview with Stephen Hicks in Kaizen.
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