“Tough Calls from the Corner Office offers invaluable insight into the mind of the CEO.” —Bill Steere, President, Chairman, and CEO of Pfizer “The stories in this book should inspire and give confidence to the many people looking to make their mark in business, or for that matter life.” —General Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Fortune 500 executive Harlan Steinbaum collects the wisdom of America’s most successful business leaders in this powerful and inspiring guide to decision-making for your life and career. Thirty-nine of America’s top executives, from ESPN’s Bill Rasmussen to United Airlines’ Gerald Greenwald, along with many other, relate the most important decisions of their careers, sharing why they struggled, how they decided, and what the lessons are they learned along the way—enabling you to achieve more, today.

“Tough Calls from the Corner Office offers invaluable insight into the mind of the CEO.” —Bill Steere, President, Chairman, and CEO of Pfizer “The stories in this book should inspire and give confidence to the many people looking to make their mark in business, or for that matter life.” —General Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Fortune 500 executive Harlan Steinbaum collects the wisdom of America’s most successful business leaders in this powerful and inspiring guide to decision-making for your life and career. Thirty-nine of America’s top executives, from ESPN’s Bill Rasmussen to United Airlines’ Gerald Greenwald, along with many other, relate the most important decisions of their careers, sharing why they struggled, how they decided, and what the lessons are they learned along the way—enabling you to achieve more, today.

Praise for Confessions from the Corner Office "As usual, Aylward and Moore have created a path that helps the reader identify and develop critical instincts, behaviors that not only create energy around business life, but can make personal lives richer and more rewarding." ---- Kenneth Keymer, CEO and President, VICORP Restaurants "However you define your corner office, this book helps you develop the instincts you need to build deeper relationships and be more successful both personally and professionally." ---- Andy Andrews, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Traveler's Gift "In Confessions, authors Aylward and Moore capture the reality of our humanity within the corridors of corporate America with real stories about real people." ---- Clifton L. Taulbert, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of The Last Train North "An insightful, practical guide to achieving a winning management style. I applaud the authors' ability to motivate with empathy rather than intimidation." ---- Jerry Langley, Executive in Residence,Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame

For better and for worse, few companies have been so prominently and constantly in the public eye as AT&T. Through decades of growth and dominance, followed by its 1984 breakup and a litany of well-documented troubles, the company has soldiered on, by turns thriving and hanging on for dear life.Perhaps no individual experienced as much of the roller-coaster ride as Dick Martin, an executive vice president and 30-year AT&T veteran with both a bird’s-eye view of and a crucial role in the company’s bumpy history.Tough Calls is the ultimate inside look at how AT&T tried to cope with a “perfect storm” of fierce competition, economic turmoil, and punishing media scrutiny. Mixing unflinching candor with love for the company he helped steer -- and clear respect for many of his long-time colleagues -- Martin takes you through boardroom and back room to shed unprecedented light on:* How the 1996 bungled announcement of 40,000 layoffs nearly destroyed the company* How flawed succession planning precipitated sharp declines in AT&T’s stock price* The never-ending, ugly turf battles with the “Baby Bells” brought on by the AT&T breakup* How even small interest groups can have a tremendous influence on business decisions, and how the media are largely responsible for determining what is business news on any given dayTough Calls is also a cautionary tale to be heeded by all businesses, using AT&T’s experience in the brutal telecom wars as a backdrop for new strategies in weathering unforgiving business conditions. Just a few of the lessons to be learned include:* How to avoid the most common mistakes that executives make, such as being held hostage by unrealistic expectations, waiting too long to make critical changes, and building their celebrity rather than their credibility* How to balance internal and external communications, and how and when to deal with the business media* How to improve relationships between PR executives and the “C” suite -- CEO, CFO, Chief Counsel, etc.--and how to make public relations more strategic* How to build and sustain favorable brand recognition and investor allure even in the face of bitter competition and unpredictable market conditionsAs candid and fascinating as it is constructive, Tough Calls is itself a call to attention and to arms, in preparation for the many battles that every business must eventually face, against fierce adversaries, and even within its own camp.

When you’re working in the fast lane, it’s easy to keep your eye trained on personal performance, profitable deals, and every rung of the corporate ladder. But what happens when your climb to success leads to a dead end? When the coveted office with the prime view and corporate board access not only overpowers everything else that’s meaningful—but sabotages your ability to target new opportunities? There’s More to Life Than the Corner Office tells the story of Patrick Mitchell, a young, up-and-coming dealmaker with energy and ideas to burn. Patrick is powered by his desire to stake a claim in his own corner office, until a fateful encounter with business icon Al Crafton changes his life. With a remarkable blend of intelligence, creativity, and patience, the older executive walks him through a set of lessons that forces Patrick to examine his life, his failing marriage, and his career choices—and to see new paths to true fulfillment and unique business prospects. There’s More to Life Than the Corner Office will show you how to: Get back in the driver’s seat: Don’t let the status quo direct your career path—only you can tap into the opportunities that can lead to real growth Beware of target fixation: When all your energy is focused on one goal, you can lose sight of obstacles that can sabotage your success Embrace every opportunity: A balanced, well-rounded life leads to a more objective world view, which can show you new avenues of productivity you’d otherwise miss Packed with insightful wisdom and solid methodologies, There’s More to Life Than the Corner Office will help you plot your own path to spiritual, physical, mental, and career success. Because when you begin the quest for true fulfillment, you’ll be primed to make the most of every moment, every encounter, and every opportunity that comes your way.