The Illusion of Invincibility: The Rise and Fall of Organizations Inspired by the Incas of Peru (Organizational Behavior, for Fans of Atomic Habits)

A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE FACADE OF SUCCESS In The Illusion of Invincibility, Paul Williams and Andreas Krebs take a no-punches-held look at the stories we tell ourselves about business success. The rags-to-riches tale is tempting, but we don’t have to search far to see that most organizations rise for a time, only to experience a dramatic fall from grace. Just look at some of the companies that used to be household names: Nokia, AOL, Pan Am, Woolworth and Blockbuster. Move from good to great: You’ll learn the secrets to clear-eyed, value-driven leadership with stories from top managers from international companies, major family businesses, start-ups, consulting firms, the public sector, and NGOs. They offer lessons on how to be a successful and reflective boss in an age of digitization and disruption. Each chapter includes a “stress test” to help you to take an honest look at your own organization and yourself. Can leaders today be inspired by the Incas? You may be surprised. When the authors added a few days to a business trip to Peru, instead of relaxing, they found themselves exploring one of the greatest civilizations in human history...with unexpected lessons about successful businesses and great leadership. The Illusion of Invincibility examines the why of success and failure. It’s a smart, funny, and radical look at how to build and sustain a great organization, inspired by those who have done it well...in ­today’s world and five hundred years ago. "In The Illusion of Invincibility, Paul Williams and Andreas Krebs take a no-punches-held look at the stories we tell ourselves about business success. The rags-to-riches tale is tempting, but we don't have to search far to see that most organizations rise for a time, only to experience a dramatic fall from grace. Just look at some of the companies that used to be household names: Nokia, AOL, Pan Am, Woolworth and Blockbuster. Move from good to great: You'll learn the secrets to clear-eyed, value-driven leadership with stories from top managers from international companies, major family businesses, start-ups, consulting firms, the public sector, and NGOs. They offer lessons on how to be a successful and reflective boss in an age of digitization and disruption. Each chapter includes a 'stress test' to help you to take an honest look at your own organization and yourself. Can leaders today be inspired by the Incas'? You may be surprised. When the authors added a few days to a business trip to Peru, instead of relaxing, they found themselves exploring one of the greatest civilizations in human history ... with unexpected lessons about successful businesses and great leadership. The Illusion of Invincibility examines the why of success and failure. It's a smart, funny, and radical look at how to build and sustain a great organization, inspired by those who have done it well ... in today's world and five hundred years ago."--Page 4 of cover “With clever use of a historical perspective” this business leadership guide offers “insightful and innovative” advice on building and sustaining success (Philip Anshutz, businessman and owner of Coachella). In The Illusion of Invincibility, Paul Williams and Andreas Krebs offer a myth-busting look at the stories we tell ourselves about business success. With examples from organizations of all kinds—including fallen giants like Nokia, AOL and Blockbuster—they explore the secrets to clear-eyed, value-driven leadership. Beyond this, they offer some surprising lessons inspired by the Ancient Incas, one of history’s greatest civilizations. The Illusion of Invincibility is a practical guide to business leadership in the age of disruption. Each chapter includes a “stress test” to help readers to take an honest look at their own organization—and themselves. It’s a smart, funny, and radical look at how to build and sustain a great organization, inspired by those who have done it well...in today’s world and five hundred years ago.