Book: The Mormon Way of Doing Business

The Mormon Way of Doing Business

I had heard that there were a disproportionate number of LDS CEOs and high ranking corporate people in America vs. people of other faiths, and this book essentially highlights why the tenants of the LDS faith make these people who they are and how their faith affects their business principles. To be unbiased in my review, I must admit that the author of the book is LDS, but I believe that he was objective in his writing.

At the time of publication, the CEOs of JetBlue, Dell, Madison Square Garden, and Deloitte and Touche, the CFO of American Express, and the president of Harvard Business School as well as a high ranking professor in that same program were all LDS. It seems like there were more I just can't think of anymore, but those were the main ones.

The first half of the book steps point by point through the main beliefs of the LDS faith, giving relevant personal stories from each of these people's lives. The second half focuses mainly on the American Express, JetBlue, and Madison Square Garden CEOs experience during the events of September 11.

This book has probably done more to motivate me to work hard and to read than any other book I've read. Every one of these successful individuals has worked exceedingly hard in life, and has developed a love for reading. They have also, even though their positions are extremely time consuming, done all possible to keep their family as their top priority and to fulfill their callings. Most of them are either Bishops or Stake Presidents.

Lesson's I learned while reading this book: it's more important to work hard and intelligently during the time that you are working than to just pull long hours; it is much easier to focus while at work if your affairs at home are in order (in other words, disarray at home always effects job performance...or to be blunt, observe complete marital fidelity); behind every successful man is an amazing and patient and equally busy and productive woman; it is truly possible to be successful as a father, husband, and member of the workforce all at the same time if you're willing to put in the time and effort.