“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.

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.

Listening in on public conversation that recreates Elvis after death, Marcus tracks Presley's resurrection. He grafts together snatches of film, music, books, newspapers, photos, posters, and cartoons, and amazes us with what America has been saying as it raises its late king--and also what this obsession with dead Elvis says about America itself.

The persistent presence of cognitive biases has influenced rational decisions and strategic management since the 1970s. These prejudiced errors in judgment, often systematic and predictable, breach the foundational assumptions of economic theory, leading to dire consequences such as social inequality, financial collapse, and governmental inefficiency. Even the brightest minds are not immune, making it crucial to address these biases head-on. Overcoming Cognitive Biases in Strategic Management and Decision Making unravels the complex tapestry of biases that infiltrate decision-making processes at all levels. From social injustice biases and reasoning errors to action-inaction and social biases, the book confronts the myriad of ways that biases manifest in critical moments. These pose a significant threat to sound decision-making in various fields, impacting professionals ranging from judges and doctors to public officials. The repercussions of unchecked biases are far-reaching, leading to flawed outcomes that echo through society. The urgent need for a strategic response to mitigate these biases and enhance decision-making processes forms the crux of the problem this book seeks to address.

Mourning the loss of core illusions and coping with the impact of disillusionment are critical issues in psychotherapy. In this informative and readable book, Teitelbaum explores this therapeutic issue in depth from a developmental, theoretical, and clinical perspective and emphasizes its particular importance in the treatment of depressed and narcissistic patients.

It’s easy to take it all for granted and go through life feeling invincible—especially if you’ve spent your life successfully facing challenges, overcoming obstacles in the way, and working hard to improve yourself both mentally and physically. Yet for all of us, this feeling of invincibility is an illusion. From Sudden Death to Paradise shares one man’s story of suddenly facing his mortality and coming to terms with what he experienced. After being exposed to toxic chemicals while in the military, and unknown to him, author T. S. Dismas developed an autoimmune disease that would kill him—one night, Dismas suffered sudden heart failure and died for ten minutes. Yet in that moment, he had a near-death experience and visited heaven, where he would learn a valuable lesson about himself, his life, his faith, and God. No amount of suffering could take away his joy and peace, and after his experience, life was now sweet and truly a gift. With a new heart—both literally and spiritually—he was able to realize his previous life was not part of God’s plan, and that embracing God’s love is the only way to sustain happiness and find meaning in this life.

A magician's daughter has inherited her father's talents-and his penchant for jewel thievery. Then she meets an escape artist who captures her heart and has secrets that could shatter her illusions...