Lead With Character: Build a Better Future

In these pages, former CEO Ben Beckhart offers a stimulating look at what is needed from leaders, both today and as we move into the future. The central tenet is that leadership can have the most significant positive impact when it is graced with a sense of character. Leaders who can do that will become role models for generations to come. This compelling principle can empower both aspiring and practicing leaders in fields ranging from business to politics and enable them to shed cynicism in favor of values that will help forge a better future for organizations, communities, and society as a whole. Lead With Character answers one key question: what can be added to the majority of today’s leaders? Ben draws on the lessons he has learned throughout his personal and professional life. He grew up bi-culturally. He led organizations across multiple borders and languages. In doing so, Ben has found that leadership models based on traditional competencies and theories fall short of the goal nurturing the traits that make us human like compassion, humility, selflessness, creativity, resilience, and the ability to define a different future, Ben charts a path towards a revolutionary new vision of leadership. His book isn’t a how-to list. It is not about developing talent or coaching skills. It is a guidepost for developing the habits that make us great leaders and good human beings.

Ben Beckhart is a business adviser, mentor, coach, and entrepreneur.  Ben is the former CEO and Country President of several multinational companies that include Metco Inc., ACH Foods, Wrigley, General Mills, Disney, PepsiCo Foods International, and BNY Mellon.   He serves on several boards and mentors for Endeavor Org.  Ben understands the importance of nurturing character to build a lasting organization.  He has lived by the principle of leading with character, learning along the way.  His life experience put him in situations where doing the right thing is not apparent.  Ben has scars to show for it. Ben is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Harvard Business School.