Comebacks - by Andrea Redmond & Patricia Crisafulli (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Insight from leaders who experienced major setbacks and redefined success

In tough economic times, when careers are derailed and leaders are forced to rewrite their professional plans, this book enlightens and uplifts. Comebacks features an all-star cast of ten leaders who endured setbacks-for some a public fall in the midst of media scrutiny-then reassessed and moved ahead with new purpose. Based on revealing interviews, the book presents a behind-the-headlines glimpse into the lives of leaders; how they drew upon resources, both internal and external, to move on; and the lessons that helped them redefine success. Leaders profiled include:

• Jacques Nasser, former CEO of Ford Motor Co., recently appointed Chairman of BHP Billiton, the world's largest natural resources company
• Patricia Dunn, former Chair of Hewlett-Packard, vilified for her alleged role in corporate espionage only to be exonerated from all charges, today active in philanthropy
• Jamie Dimon (JP Morgan), Herbert "Pug" Winokur (Enron Corp.), David Neeleman (JetBlue), and more

Redmond, a top executive recruiter, and Crisafulli, author of The House of Dimon, show how all leaders face adversity, but true leaders turn adversity into success.

From the Back Cover

Comebacks features an all-star cast of ten business leaders who have endured career setbacks--for some a public fall in the midst of extreme media scrutiny--then reassessed and moved ahead with new purpose. Based on revealing interviews, the profiles in the book provide a behind-the-headlines glimpse into the lives of seasoned leaders, showing how they drew upon resources, both internal and external, to navigate their way forward and to learn leadership and life lessons that allowed them to redefine success. Together, the ten profiles reveal that all leaders face adversity, but true leaders turn adversity into success--and redefine success through their leadership. High-profile leaders featured include:

• JAMIE DIMON, renowned chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase who, at the peak of his career with Citigroup, was fired as president.
• Former HP chair PATRICIA DUNN who, after a corporate espionage scandal hit the company, resigned as chairman and then faced felony charges while battling cancer. Completely exonerated, she is now active in philanthropic work.
• Former Baxter International CEO HARRY KRAEMER who, after twenty-two years at the pharmaceutical firm, had to step down after the company scaled back its earnings forecasts. He is now a highly regarded business professor at Northwestern University and an executive partner in a private equity firm.
• Former Ford Motor Company CEO JACQUES NASSER who, forced to resign from the automaker after devoting years to the company, has recently assumed the prestigious position of chairman of BHP Billiton, the world's largest natural resources company.
• Former founder and CEO of JetBlue David Neeleman who, asked to step down after a series of weather-related delays in 2007 caused an uproar among passengers and consumers, has moved on to found a new airline in Brazil.

In turbulent economic times, when careers are derailed by layoffs and leaders are forced to rewrite their professional plans, Comebacks offers introspection that enlightens as well as uplifts. Honest and soul-searching, the stories in Comebacks will resonate with anyone who is experiencing a reversal, is disillusioned by career choices, or is exploring new paths that are better aligned with their values and priorities.

About the Author

ANDREA REDMOND is a well-regarded consultant who works with select clients including corporate boards, CEOs, and private investors on executive recruiting, management assessment, and succession needs. Prior to that, she spent twenty years with a global executive recruiting firm. As an expert in CEO selection, she recruited CEOs for several Fortune 500 companies. She serves on the Board of Directors of Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Hospital, and the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center. In January 2010 Andrea joined the Board of Directors of The Allstate Corporation.

PATRICIA CRISAFULLI is an accomplished writer, ghost-writer, and author who has written numerous books, including The House of Dimon, a leadership profile of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. A former business journalist, Crisafulli was a correspondent and deputy equities editor in the Chicago bureau of Reuters America. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, and other national newspapers.