The Moral Advantage: How to Succeed in Business by Doing the Right Thing [Hardcover]

William Damon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2004

This timely book is the result of a Stanford University study of "good work" in business, under William Damon's direction. During the course of the study, researchers interviewed 48 men and women who have achieved success in business. The interviews revealed the surprisingly strong role that morality can play in successful business careers. Based on this information, Damon has developed a set of principles for using the Moral Advantage in business. These principles include "moral imagination" - creating a business concept that serves a larger purpose without losing profits; forthright communication that inspires trust; cooperative strategies that build teamwork and community; uses of the Golden Rule for managing complex relationships; philanthropic efforts that express compassion; and a public commitment to ethical standards. The book shows how and when business people can most effectively draw on these principles and explains how to develop the personal capacity to do so throughout a career.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" Very timely book, which helps lead to career success and should be required reading for all business school graduates." -- Robert E. King, Chairman and founder of R. Eliot King and Associates

"Damon's book delivers a strong argument replete with examples - showing that integrity supports long-term success in business." -- Michael McCaskey, Chairman of the Board, The Chicago Bears

"Damon's book is an insightful, well-researched contribution to the field of business ethics." -- Robert Phillips, Associate Professor, School of Business Administration, University of San Diego

"Moral Advantage - great idea, especially in business! Does it hold up to examination? That's the adventure of this book." -- Michael Novak, George Frederick Jewett Scholar in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute

"Through moving stories Damon reminds us that, the only way we can really do well is by doing good. " -- David Shapiro, author of Choosing the Right Thing to Do: In Life, at Work, in Relationships, and for the Planet

About the Author

William Damon is Professor of Education at Stanford University and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. Damon has written widely on moral commitment through the lifespan. Damon has received awards and grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, The Spencer Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the John Templeton Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. He is a member of the National Academy of Education.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576752062
• ISBN-13: 978-1576752067
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration read packed full of practical advice, December 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moral Advantage: How to Succeed in Business by Doing the Right Thing (Hardcover)

The Moral Advantage: How To Succeed In Business by Doing the Right Thing is based on interviews with 48 executives who have learned how to combine moral convictions, enlightened self-interest, and business acumen to achieve success. Emphasizing that the cutthroat business world does not require one to violate moral principles to succeed - just the opposite, adhering to moral principles lays the foundations for success - The Moral Advantage is an inspiration read packed full of practical advice. From the right way to go about philanthropy, to forging a solid moral idenity, the importance of the Golden Rule, and much more, The Moral Advantage is recommended supplementary reading material for every business owner and manager.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU CAN UNITE BUSINESS SUCCESS WITH PERSONAL VALUES!, April 18, 2005

By 

Gerry Stern "Stern's Management Review Online" (Culver City, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Moral Advantage: How to Succeed in Business by Doing the Right Thing (Hardcover)

The subject of this book is how to develop a unity of purpose that melds "the desire to excel, to accomplish something important, and to act in a decent and responsible way." The author calls this "the moral advantage." Based on 48 interviews with successful executives, Damon identifies the key strategies of a moral approach to business and shows how these can lead to both personal and financial success. Damon's focus is on the morality shared by people of goodwill who act decently, live honorably, care for others, and are fair, honest, and responsible. The moral advantage is further defined as "a positive way of thinking about morality that transforms both the worker and the work, a powerful force that can propel people toward their own goals while at the same time generating great benefits for society." The author builds a four-dimensional concept of morality in business and presents a discussion of people whose careers in business exemplify the moral advantage. Damon concludes the book with ten principles distilled from his research. The book presents a refreshing and inspiring value-based framework for understanding business and personal success.