Purpose: The Starting Point of Great Companies - by Nikos Mourkogiannis (Paperback)

About the Book

A groundbreaking approach that will redefine the way we do business

Book Synopsis

In Purpose, world-renowned thought leader Nikos Mourkogiannis turns the entire idea of leadership on its head and shows that the choice between values and success is no choice at all. Mourkogiannis argues that companies must satisfy the need for purpose - a set of values that defines an organization and inspires and motivates its employees. Rather than organization and structure, ideas are what cause companies to go from good to great. Drawing on examples from across multiple industries, Mourkogiannis demonstrates how a strong purpose is the essential first step toward lasting success.

Review Quotes

A very insightful book which goes to the core of institutions' true identities and what they stand for. We need more of Nikos' initiatives which give thorough analyses yet offers a truly enjoyable reading.--Mr Abdel Hamid Shoman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arab Bank plc

An overriding sense of purpose is hard to achieve, and hard to change once achieved, but potentially transformational in its implications -- as Nikos Mourkogiannis's book so persuasively demonstrates.--Pankaj Ghemawat, Harvard Business School Professor

Books on business usually arouse very little interest. This one is different and is a book for business in our time. I urge all business leaders from companies of any size to read this and more to the point, take its messages on board, for themselves and their colleagues--Sir Colin Chandler, Chairman, easyJet plc

Inspiring a large global organization with a common purpose whilst respecting its diversity is high on the agenda of top management. Nikos Mourkogiannis' Purpose sheds light on the importance and practice of defining and embedding a sense of purpose in an organization and thereby, of aligning the interests of its strategic stakeholders. I recommend the reading of this outstanding book.--Dr Josef Ackermann, CEO Deutsche Bank

Nikos Mourkogiannis has provided incumbent and aspiring leaders with the needed counterbalance to Bossidy's Execution. Execution, absent Purpose, can drive once great enterprises off the cliff and once great armies into chaos and destruction. This book reminds leaders of the importance of taking stock of the legacy which has made great businesses great, while renewing the values and character required to flourish for a new era.--Dr Jeffrey A Sonnenfeld, Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management and Senior Associate Dean for Executive Programs, Yale School of Management.

Purpose is the missing piece in the corporate jigsaw of success, often overlooked by companies big and small and their employees. Nikos Mourkogiannis provides a compelling and gripping account of why this is so important, so impactful and so inspiring. This book made me stop and reconsider my organisation and I am sure it will do this same with many other CEOs.--Euan Sutherland, CEO A.S. Watson UK. (Owners of Superdrug, Savers, The Perfume Shop in the UK)

About the Author

Nikos Mourkogiannis is a senior partner at Panthea, an elite leadership consulting firm providing advice to Chairmen and CEOs of top companies around the world. He is also senior executive advisor on leadership to Booz Allen Hamilton. Nikos helped create the Harvard Law School Center on Negotiations with Roger Fisher, author of the business bestseller Getting to Yes. He has worked on some of the most complex and important business deals of the last thirty years, with some of the most influential leaders in international business and government. He lives in London.