Wisdom for a Young CEO:
Inspiring Letters and Inspiring Advice
From Today's Business Leaders
By Douglas Barry
Philadelphia/London: Running Press, 2004.
_________________________________________

ISBN: 0-7624-1831-1
Format: Paperback: August 19, 2004
                Hardcover: April 13, 2004
Pages: 176

Description

Ask anyone about today's teens and you're likely to get an earful, such as: they have no ambitions other than getting the latest cell phone; they have no respect for their elders; they have no work ethic.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Doug Barry, 17, is a high school senior who not only has ambition, but the smarts to go along with it. He decided when he was 14 to find out exactly how to become a CEO. So, he went right to the top, sending 150 letters to the top brass in the U.S. Amazingly, more than 100 responded to his inquiries about what it takes to become a CEO.

The honest, heartfelt replies on finding success in the business world, from the CEOs of Eastman Kodak, McDonald's, Intel, Sprint, UPS, Viacom, and many other companies, provide inspiring life lessons for everyone. Wisdom for a Young CEO includes pithy tidbits, longer essays, sidebars, tips, quotes, and reminiscences from more than 100 of the country's business leaders, focusing on such character issues as honesty, hard work, being true to oneself, integrity, leadership, and interpersonal skills. In surprising detail, many describe turning points in their own careers, outlining difficult moral and ethical decisions they've faced.

Their responses inspired Barry to share the information in a book, "Wisdom for a Young CEO," (Running Press, $14.95).

Here's a sampling of advice he received:

"One caution—Do what makes you happy! Do not choose a ... vocation because of money. You will only get one time around in life, and you should enjoy all of your experiences, not just your payday." —Errol B. Davis Jr., Chairman, President, and CEO, Alliant Energy Corp.

"The best CEOs build the team to achieve the dream. Even Michael Jordan needed teammates ... He couldn't take on the New Jersey Nets alone. It's possible to fail by yourself, but success requires teamwork." —Charles R. Lee, Chairman and CEO, GTE Corporation

"Find life experiences and swallow them whole. Travel. Meet many people. Go down some dead ends and explore some dark alleys. Try everything. Exhaust yourself in the glorious pursuit of life." —Lawrence K. Fish, Chairman, President, and CEO, Citizens Financial Group

"You can't do everything well. Pick the things that matter most and concentrate on getting better and better, little by little, at those things." —Reuben Mark, Chairman and CEO, Colgate-Palmolive Co.

"There's more to life than being a CEO, but go for your dreams whatever they are." —George M.C. Fisher, Chairman, Eastman Kodak Co.

Related Articles:

Student proves a quick earner, thanks to CEOs
Young CEO: A Quick Chat with 17-year old Surfer/Author Douglas Barry on Wisdom and CEO's
Nation's top CEOs give a teenager some advice

Reviews:

CEOs offer wisdom to young entrepreneur
Sander A. Flaum, Pharmaceutical Executive - "The Boy Who Would be CEO"
Sound Money: Book on the Economy
Top Seven Traits That Lead to Success, CareerBuilding.com
Inner CEO
“Want To Be The Next Trump?”
Last Word, Potentials Magazine, June 1, 2004

Leaders Love Their Tasks—Not Just Their Titles, American Management Ass'n, Fall 2004

Educating a young CEO - Have you ever dreamed about getting career advice from a Fortune 500 CEO? Well, thanks to a 17-year-old high school senior named Doug Barry, your wish has just come true. Doug spent a good part of his adolescence writing letters to CEOs, asking them how they made it to the top. He’s published their responses in Wisdom for a Young CEO. Kai talks to Doug about the advice and the anecdotes from the big wigs of the business world. (06/12/2004)