Put the Moose on the Table: Lessons in Leadership from a Ceo's Journey Through Business and Life (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Todd Tobias (Author) "In the spring of 1849, David Tobias, a first-generation Welsh immigrant, purchased a small, unpretentious plot of land near the Muscatatuck River in southern Indiana..." (more)
Key Phrases: Eli Lilly, Bell System, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tobias spent decades climbing the ladder at Ma Bell, served as vice chairman at AT&T and in 1993 became CEO of the prestigious pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. One of his book's few interesting anecdotes is his recollection of an exchange he had with Charles Brown (AT&T's then-CEO), when Tobias was a mere underling at the company in the early 1980s. Tobias was preparing a presentation, which Brown canceled, since he was finalizing the monumental splitup of AT&T. Although Brown was busy planning the company's reorganization, he found time to send Tobias a gracious note, apologizing for any inconvenience he may have caused Tobias. Tobias was moved by Brown's thoughtfulness and, as he progressed in his career, made attempts to be as forthcoming with his own subordinates. It's a valuable lesson about the importance of treating your workers well. Unfortunately, the rest of the book, which ostensibly offers lessons on how to communicate effectively and always deal with the problems at hand (keeping "the moose on the table," as it were), is an uninformative mishmash of autobiography and unimaginative "Lessons on Leadership" (e.g., "Leaders almost always think out of the box"; "Keep learning"; "In business as in life, one thing is absolutely inevitable-continuous change"). Tobias has had an esteemed career and has undoubtedly been a good boss (Lilly is justifiably well-known for its benevolent attitude toward employees), but his book fails to engage. Photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...American business has never produced an individual more qualified to address such irreplaceable qualities. This is a must-read." -- Norman R. Augustine, Retired Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation

"Here, finally, is a CEO's story that rings and sings with truth as well as wisdom and inspiration...." -- Jim Lehrer, Executive Editor and Anchor, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

"Randy Tobias has written about the importance of commitment and focus...about doing things the right way...." -- Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

"Randy Tobias' attention to corporate ethics derives from his personal values; he stands as living evidence...with doing what's right." -- Nannerl O. Keohane, President, Duke University

"[A] book on leadership that would serve as a guide on the battlefield as well as in the boardroom...." -- General Charles C. Krulak (Ret.), 31st Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (March 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253342392
• ISBN-13: 978-0253342393
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #513,503 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Palin's favorite book, October 14, 2008

By	Fiorenzo Cattaneo "Live long and prosper" (3rd Rock from the Sun) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After eight years of a President who doesn't like to read books, I was pleasantly surprised at finding out that Sarah Palin, who could one day become Commander in Chief, is an avid book reader.

This is her favorite book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Leadership?, April 29, 2007

By	Robert Aiello "iBanker" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All this values stuff is pretty amusing in light of what has come out in the press in the last days. Search Tobias online and then decide how much you want to follow his guidance.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Practical!, April 3, 2003

By	Nancy Pugh (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

Put The Moose On The Table, by Randall Tobias, is Who Moved My Cheese and more! It occurred to me, while I was reading Tobias' book,
that finally here's the advice I need when my cheese is moved! Why not learn from the best?
Fortunately for the reader, Tobias shares invaluable lessons in leadership by putting his own life on the table.