Paradoxes of Leadership

This book was Charles Edmunson's final gift to the employee ownership community. Started when he was well into the debilitating illness that would take his life, Paradoxes of Leadership is a distillation of the wisdom, insight, and passion Charles brought to management and the employee ownership community at large. In it, Charles discusses 14 paradoxes that define his philosophy of leadership. For instance, the first paradox is that "we have more influence when we listen than when we tell." By listening, we gain respect from those with whom we interact, allowing us to be listened to when we most need it. We also have the chance to learn to make us better informed leaders in the future.

The book is a true labor of love. Unable to write, and, increasingly, finding it difficult even to talk, Charles dedicated himself to dictating his thoughts to Loren Rodgers, who made weekly trips to Framingham, MA, to listen to Charles. These extensive notes were then written up by Corey Rosen of the National Center for Employee Ownership, which also laid out the book and had it printed, to form the final product.

Paradoxes of Leadership has earned well-deserved and widespread praise. Whether being used as a text at Boston College, as a guide for employee-owners, or an inspiration for anyone interested in Charles' life, it is an inspiring book. The final paradox of the book is that "a full life is achieved not by grasping but by giving." This act of giving by Charles can help make all our lives fuller.

This edition of Paradoxes of Leadership incorporates many minor edits and corrections made for the 2009 reprint by Janet Edmunson, the author's widow.

Charles Edmunson is that rare combination: a hands-on leader and a visionary. He is intimately familiar with the inner workings of both a slitting machine and the human spirit.

Until his retirement at age 49 due to a degenerative neurological disease, he was the Vice President of Manufacturing at Web Industries. Web is a medium-sized employee-owned company, headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, which provides slitting services to a range of corporate clients. At Web, Charles started as a packer while in graduate school at Boston University, where he was working on a Ph.D. in Philosophy. Having lost his enthusiasm for a career in philosophy, Charles dedicated himself to working full-time at Web, where he could promote his people- and values-centered vision.

Charles has also served on the Board of Directors, and in other positions, for the ESOP Association. (ESOP stands for employee stock ownership plans.) The ESOP Foundation, a non-profit division of the ESOP Association, created a scholarship for outstanding employee-owners in honor of Charles: the Charles R. Edmunson Scholarship. Charles has spoken about his people-centered approach to management extensively throughout the U.S as well as in Hungary, China and Scotland.

Starting in May, 1995, Charles developed PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy), a rare degenerative neurological disease. The disease has gradually taken away his ability to walk, read, talk, care for himself, and write. Charles' mission reads: "I will make a significant difference in the world by bringing grace with integrity into the lives of others. Therefore, through a disciplined focus, I will apply my life to creating peace for people who are in turmoil, healing for those who are wounded, hope for those in despair, and purpose for those who are drifting."