Author: Jon M. Huntsman
Page Count: 185 Pages
Published Date: May 2005
ISBN: 0131863665
Format: Hardcover

Next time someone tells you business can't be done ethically—corners must be cut, negotiations can't be honest—hand them Jon Huntsman's new book. Who's Jon Huntsman? Just someone who started with practically nothing, and built a world-class business that carried him to Forbes' list of America's wealthiest people. Here, he presents the lessons of a lifetime: a passionate, inspirational manifesto for returning to the days when your word was your bond, a handshake was sacred, and swarms of lawyers weren't needed to back it up.

This is no mere exhortation: it's as practical as a business book can get. It's about how you listen to your moral compass, even as others ignore theirs. It's about how you build teams with the highest values...share success...take responsibility...earn the rewards that only come with giving back. Huntsman built his career and fortune on these principles—from his youth, refusing the Nixon administration's corrupt demands, to his lifelong commitment to charity, to the way he approaches his biggest deals.

You don't live these principles just to 'succeed': you live them because they're right. But in an age of non-stop business scandal, Huntsman's life proves honesty is more than right: it's your biggest competitive differentiator.

· Winning the right way, winning for life
Compete fiercely and fairly, and win without cheating

· Following your built-in moral compass
Acting on what you know is right, even when others lack the courage

· Why you can lead
Risk, responsibility, reliability: The "3 Rs" of leadership

· Putting the lawyers in their place
Yourword, your handshake: more powerful than any contract

· Graciousness is next to Godliness
Respecting customers, partners, employees, even competitors

· You're not "self-made," even if you think you are
The obligation to give back: returning the favors, sharing your good fortune

Character counts: Making your values your #1 competitive advantage!

· An antidote for a generation of corporate scandal

· A star to steer by: Follow your personal moral compass

· Live by standards you can be proud of—and build organizations that do, too

· By a self-made billionaire who won his fortune on honest principles

"Everyone does it." Everyone cheats. Cuts corners. Tells lies. Maybe it was different once. Not anymore. If you want to succeed nowadays, you have to make compromises. Right?

Wrong. You can succeed at the highest levels, without sacrificing the principles that make life worth living. The proof? You're holding it.

Jon M. Huntsman built a $12 billion company from scratch, the old-fashioned way: with integrity. There were short-term costs. There were moments when it took great courage. But, ultimately, it wasn't just right: it was the best business strategy, too.

In Playing by the Rules, Huntsman tells you how he did it, and how you can, too.

This book is about remembering why you work, and why you were chosen to lead. It's about finding the bravery to act on what you know is right—and building teams with the same courage.

It's about winning. The right way.

Think about the kind of person you want to do business with. Then, be that person—and use this book to get you there.