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The Detour CEO: 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success
Leadership doesn't follow a straight path, and the most effective leaders know how to make strategic turns. In The Detour 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success, former CEO Paul Perreault delivers a funny, engaging, and insightful guide to leading with purpose and resilience. Drawing from decades of experience in the specialized global biopharma industry, Paul provides actionable strategies
Identify and prioritize your top performersNavigate organizational challenges with confidenceBalance strategic decisions with personal valuesCultivate a leadership style that fosters growth and loyaltyThrough relatable stories and practical advice, Paul dives deep into the nuances of leadership—how to build trust, develop a pipeline of future leaders, and maintain focus in a world of constant distractions. He also challenges traditional notions of success, encouraging leaders to rethink their approach to prioritize people and values over short-term gains.
Packed with thoughtful reflections and actionable takeaways, The Detour CEO is a must-read for leaders at every level who want to make a lasting impact—on their teams, their organizations, and their own lives. This is more than a leadership guide; it's a roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern leadership while staying true to your authentic self.
Identify and prioritize your top performersNavigate organizational challenges with confidenceBalance strategic decisions with personal valuesCultivate a leadership style that fosters growth and loyaltyThrough relatable stories and practical advice, Paul dives deep into the nuances of leadership—how to build trust, develop a pipeline of future leaders, and maintain focus in a world of constant distractions. He also challenges traditional notions of success, encouraging leaders to rethink their approach to prioritize people and values over short-term gains.
Packed with thoughtful reflections and actionable takeaways, The Detour CEO is a must-read for leaders at every level who want to make a lasting impact—on their teams, their organizations, and their own lives. This is more than a leadership guide; it's a roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern leadership while staying true to your authentic self.
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209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
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November 1, 2025In "The Detour CEO: 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success", Paul Perreault challenges the conventional image of a career as a steady climb up a single, well-marked ladder. He argues instead that true professional and personal growth comes from the unexpected turns - the detours - that force people to rethink their direction, rediscover their values, and grow into stronger, more intentional leaders. Success, he insists, doesn’t come from staying on a straight path but from the way we respond when the road bends. Every turn, whether it looks like a setback or a surprise opportunity, can become a defining moment if we learn to navigate it with clarity, courage, and character. Perreault’s approach to leadership is not about the relentless pursuit of titles or recognition but about the art of showing up consistently with purpose, contributing meaningfully, and evolving through every twist life presents.
He begins by reminding readers that self-leadership precedes any form of organizational leadership. Before guiding others, one must understand what truly matters. Keeping 'the main thing the main thing,' as he calls it, means identifying and protecting core values and personal priorities. It’s about knowing who you are beyond your job title. Many professionals lose themselves in the pursuit of external validation, mistaking their role for their identity. Perreault invites readers to pause and ask: What qualities do I want to define me? Am I living those qualities both inside and outside of work? The answers to these questions serve as a compass when the journey becomes confusing. He also emphasizes the importance of boundaries - both temporal and emotional - to preserve focus and balance. Leadership requires energy, and that energy is sustained only by protecting time for rest, family, and self-reflection. Your 'family business,' as he puts it, the people who ground and remind you of who you are, must not be neglected. How you treat them mirrors how you lead at work. By remaining centered in relationships and values rather than accolades or position, you can weather professional detours without losing your direction.
Once this clarity is established, the next step is constant contribution. 'Always be adding,' Perreault advises, because leadership is defined not by authority but by impact. He urges readers to continually ask themselves if they are adding value wherever they stand - not someday when they have the perfect job, but right now. True value creation goes beyond doing what’s asked; it means improving situations, offering insight, and finding solutions others overlook. He highlights the importance of adopting a generalist mindset - understanding not just one domain deeply, but seeing how everything connects. Generalists can anticipate problems and identify opportunities across silos because they have learned from varied experiences. Perreault insists that no experience is wasted. Even difficult or disappointing jobs contribute to our growth if we’re willing to extract the lessons. The key is applying those lessons forward, turning past frustrations into future strengths. In this way, every role becomes another stone in the foundation of leadership.
He warns, however, against the illusion of productivity. Many professionals equate busyness with worth, believing that being constantly in motion demonstrates dedication. Perreault challenges this myth. The real measure of success is not how many tasks fill the calendar, but whether those tasks align with your mission and strengths. Doing fewer things better - focusing on work that truly advances a cause or goal - is both more sustainable and more impactful. Leadership energy must be managed like a resource, invested where it makes the most difference. When driven by purpose rather than performance anxiety, work becomes a contribution, not a burden. This mindset also guards against burnout and transforms detours into moments of creative reinvention rather than collapse.
After mastering clarity and contribution, Perreault turns to the necessity of boldness. Growth, he insists, happens only when we are willing to leave the familiar behind. 'Be bold and evolve' is his call to action. Every meaningful advancement - in career, influence, or understanding - involves a calculated risk. Leaders must cultivate the discernment to choose courageously yet wisely, taking risks that align with their purpose rather than those driven by ego or impatience. Preparation and perspective matter as much as bravery. He recommends consulting mentors and peers when facing pivotal decisions; their experiences expand our vision and temper impulsive choices. Boldness, he reminds us, is not recklessness. It’s the readiness to act despite uncertainty, rooted in confidence about who we are and what we value. Fear will always whisper reasons to stay still, but growth demands movement. The world keeps changing, and effective leaders evolve with it.
For Perreault, evolution is as much about learning as it is about risk. Leaders who stop learning stagnate, and stagnation erodes influence. He encourages a threefold approach to continual growth: formal education to stay informed, guidance from mentors and colleagues to stay grounded, and hands-on experience to stay adaptable. Each form of learning reinforces the others, creating a self-renewing cycle of development. The leader who keeps evolving never becomes obsolete, no matter how the terrain shifts.
Eventually, every career or leadership chapter reaches a point of transition, and Perreault argues that how we handle endings is just as important as how we pursue beginnings. 'Prepare to depart,' he writes, because thoughtful transitions shape reputations and legacies. Leaving a role - or even an entire career - should be a strategic act, not an emotional reaction. He advises asking difficult questions before moving on: What am I walking toward, and what am I leaving behind? Have I finished well and prepared others to succeed in my absence? Too many people rush departures, damaging relationships and diminishing the good work they’ve done. Perreault urges transparency and communication, recommending early conversations with superiors, peers, and family members to ensure that transitions are collaborative, not disruptive.
Equally important is personal readiness. Big changes require physical and mental stamina. Burnout clouds judgment and makes any next step harder. He suggests building daily routines - exercise, rest, time for reflection - that sustain well-being, especially during high-pressure periods of change. Moreover, he sees mentorship as a vital part of every exit strategy. Preparing others to rise when you leave is both a mark of maturity and a continuation of your leadership legacy. Passing the torch ensures continuity and demonstrates that leadership was never about personal power, but about collective progress. Perreault identifies three essential kinds of awareness that make these transitions smoother: self-awareness, which keeps leaders grounded in reality; emotional awareness, which helps them understand others’ concerns; and situational awareness, which enables them to read environments accurately. By cultivating all three, leaders can navigate departures with grace and integrity, transforming endings into springboards for new beginnings.
Ultimately, "The Detour CEO" shows that success in leadership is not a straight road but a series of intentional choices made along unpredictable routes. Each detour - whether a failed project, an unexpected promotion, or a difficult personal season - refines the leader’s character and capacity to contribute. Perreault’s philosophy is deeply human: leadership is not about position, but about purpose; not about climbing higher, but about becoming wiser. It is measured by how you respond to the twists that test your clarity, courage, and consistency. When guided by strong values, each turn reveals not a setback but a stepping stone.
In conclusion, "The Detour CEO: 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success" teaches that leadership is a journey defined less by straight lines and more by the grace with which we handle the curves. The leaders who thrive are those who keep their priorities clear, continually add value, act boldly when opportunities arise, and prepare conscientiously for every transition. They understand that every detour, no matter how surprising or inconvenient, carries within it the potential for growth, wisdom, and deeper impact. When you live and lead with intention - grounded in your principles and connected to others - even the roughest roads can lead to extraordinary destinations.
He begins by reminding readers that self-leadership precedes any form of organizational leadership. Before guiding others, one must understand what truly matters. Keeping 'the main thing the main thing,' as he calls it, means identifying and protecting core values and personal priorities. It’s about knowing who you are beyond your job title. Many professionals lose themselves in the pursuit of external validation, mistaking their role for their identity. Perreault invites readers to pause and ask: What qualities do I want to define me? Am I living those qualities both inside and outside of work? The answers to these questions serve as a compass when the journey becomes confusing. He also emphasizes the importance of boundaries - both temporal and emotional - to preserve focus and balance. Leadership requires energy, and that energy is sustained only by protecting time for rest, family, and self-reflection. Your 'family business,' as he puts it, the people who ground and remind you of who you are, must not be neglected. How you treat them mirrors how you lead at work. By remaining centered in relationships and values rather than accolades or position, you can weather professional detours without losing your direction.
Once this clarity is established, the next step is constant contribution. 'Always be adding,' Perreault advises, because leadership is defined not by authority but by impact. He urges readers to continually ask themselves if they are adding value wherever they stand - not someday when they have the perfect job, but right now. True value creation goes beyond doing what’s asked; it means improving situations, offering insight, and finding solutions others overlook. He highlights the importance of adopting a generalist mindset - understanding not just one domain deeply, but seeing how everything connects. Generalists can anticipate problems and identify opportunities across silos because they have learned from varied experiences. Perreault insists that no experience is wasted. Even difficult or disappointing jobs contribute to our growth if we’re willing to extract the lessons. The key is applying those lessons forward, turning past frustrations into future strengths. In this way, every role becomes another stone in the foundation of leadership.
He warns, however, against the illusion of productivity. Many professionals equate busyness with worth, believing that being constantly in motion demonstrates dedication. Perreault challenges this myth. The real measure of success is not how many tasks fill the calendar, but whether those tasks align with your mission and strengths. Doing fewer things better - focusing on work that truly advances a cause or goal - is both more sustainable and more impactful. Leadership energy must be managed like a resource, invested where it makes the most difference. When driven by purpose rather than performance anxiety, work becomes a contribution, not a burden. This mindset also guards against burnout and transforms detours into moments of creative reinvention rather than collapse.
After mastering clarity and contribution, Perreault turns to the necessity of boldness. Growth, he insists, happens only when we are willing to leave the familiar behind. 'Be bold and evolve' is his call to action. Every meaningful advancement - in career, influence, or understanding - involves a calculated risk. Leaders must cultivate the discernment to choose courageously yet wisely, taking risks that align with their purpose rather than those driven by ego or impatience. Preparation and perspective matter as much as bravery. He recommends consulting mentors and peers when facing pivotal decisions; their experiences expand our vision and temper impulsive choices. Boldness, he reminds us, is not recklessness. It’s the readiness to act despite uncertainty, rooted in confidence about who we are and what we value. Fear will always whisper reasons to stay still, but growth demands movement. The world keeps changing, and effective leaders evolve with it.
For Perreault, evolution is as much about learning as it is about risk. Leaders who stop learning stagnate, and stagnation erodes influence. He encourages a threefold approach to continual growth: formal education to stay informed, guidance from mentors and colleagues to stay grounded, and hands-on experience to stay adaptable. Each form of learning reinforces the others, creating a self-renewing cycle of development. The leader who keeps evolving never becomes obsolete, no matter how the terrain shifts.
Eventually, every career or leadership chapter reaches a point of transition, and Perreault argues that how we handle endings is just as important as how we pursue beginnings. 'Prepare to depart,' he writes, because thoughtful transitions shape reputations and legacies. Leaving a role - or even an entire career - should be a strategic act, not an emotional reaction. He advises asking difficult questions before moving on: What am I walking toward, and what am I leaving behind? Have I finished well and prepared others to succeed in my absence? Too many people rush departures, damaging relationships and diminishing the good work they’ve done. Perreault urges transparency and communication, recommending early conversations with superiors, peers, and family members to ensure that transitions are collaborative, not disruptive.
Equally important is personal readiness. Big changes require physical and mental stamina. Burnout clouds judgment and makes any next step harder. He suggests building daily routines - exercise, rest, time for reflection - that sustain well-being, especially during high-pressure periods of change. Moreover, he sees mentorship as a vital part of every exit strategy. Preparing others to rise when you leave is both a mark of maturity and a continuation of your leadership legacy. Passing the torch ensures continuity and demonstrates that leadership was never about personal power, but about collective progress. Perreault identifies three essential kinds of awareness that make these transitions smoother: self-awareness, which keeps leaders grounded in reality; emotional awareness, which helps them understand others’ concerns; and situational awareness, which enables them to read environments accurately. By cultivating all three, leaders can navigate departures with grace and integrity, transforming endings into springboards for new beginnings.
Ultimately, "The Detour CEO" shows that success in leadership is not a straight road but a series of intentional choices made along unpredictable routes. Each detour - whether a failed project, an unexpected promotion, or a difficult personal season - refines the leader’s character and capacity to contribute. Perreault’s philosophy is deeply human: leadership is not about position, but about purpose; not about climbing higher, but about becoming wiser. It is measured by how you respond to the twists that test your clarity, courage, and consistency. When guided by strong values, each turn reveals not a setback but a stepping stone.
In conclusion, "The Detour CEO: 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success" teaches that leadership is a journey defined less by straight lines and more by the grace with which we handle the curves. The leaders who thrive are those who keep their priorities clear, continually add value, act boldly when opportunities arise, and prepare conscientiously for every transition. They understand that every detour, no matter how surprising or inconvenient, carries within it the potential for growth, wisdom, and deeper impact. When you live and lead with intention - grounded in your principles and connected to others - even the roughest roads can lead to extraordinary destinations.
August 9, 2025
Book Review: The Detour CEO: 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success by Paul Perreault
Rating: 4.6/5
Analysis & Thematic Depth
Paul Perreault’s The Detour CEO reframes leadership as a non-linear journey, blending memoir, practical advice, and strategic frameworks from his tenure in the global biopharma industry. The book’s core thesis—that the most effective leaders make strategic turns—challenges conventional leadership literature by emphasizing adaptability over rigid goal-setting. Perreault’s focus on balancing personal values with strategic decisions and cultivating growth-focused leadership offers fresh perspectives, though his corporate-biopharma lens may limit applicability for nonprofit or startup leaders.
Thematic strengths include its nuanced exploration of trust-building and talent pipeline development, though the 9-turn structure occasionally forces complex ideas into overly simplistic metaphors. Case studies from Perreault’s career ground theoretical concepts, but a broader diversity of industries could strengthen relatability.
Reader Reactions & Emotional Impact
As a mid-career professional, I found Perreault’s candor about leadership detours both validating and unsettling—particularly his admission that prioritizing people over short-term gains often requires unpopular decisions. His anecdote about navigating a high-stakes merger with transparency sparked introspection about my own crisis management style. However, the biopharma-specific examples sometimes distanced me emotionally, wishing for more universally accessible scenarios.
The book’s humor lands effectively, especially in chapters about organizational absurdities, though tonal shifts between wit and gravitas can feel abrupt. A passage on leading through uncertainty resonated deeply during a week of team restructuring, its advice more pragmatic than platitude-heavy.
Constructive Criticism
- Scope: Over-reliance on biopharma cases; inclusion of tech/education/nonprofit contexts would broaden appeal.
- Structure: The 9 turns metaphor becomes repetitive; some turns overlap thematically .
- Depth: Chapters on future leader pipelines and values-based decisions could benefit from counterarguments or failure examples.
How I would describe this book:
- For leaders who know the straight path is a myth—Perreault’s 9 Turns are the compass you need.
- Finally, a leadership book that admits: getting lost is part of the journey.
- Like Atomic Habits meets Leaders Eat Last—with biopharma war stories.
Personal Remarks
Reading this during a career crossroads, I dog-eared Perreault’s confidence vs. competence paradox—a framework I applied to negotiate a role outside my comfort zone. His advice on quieting distraction noise led me to redesign my workweek, though I still crave his take on remote-team leadership.
Gratitude
Thank you to the publisher, Forbes Books, and Goodreads Giveaways for the ARC. This is essential reading for leaders navigating post-pandemic workplace complexities.
Final Verdict
A 4.6/5—a refreshing, if niche, addition to leadership literature. Perreault’s blend of humility and strategic brilliance outweighs structural flaws, offering tangible tools for principled leadership.
Rating: 4.6/5
Analysis & Thematic Depth
Paul Perreault’s The Detour CEO reframes leadership as a non-linear journey, blending memoir, practical advice, and strategic frameworks from his tenure in the global biopharma industry. The book’s core thesis—that the most effective leaders make strategic turns—challenges conventional leadership literature by emphasizing adaptability over rigid goal-setting. Perreault’s focus on balancing personal values with strategic decisions and cultivating growth-focused leadership offers fresh perspectives, though his corporate-biopharma lens may limit applicability for nonprofit or startup leaders.
Thematic strengths include its nuanced exploration of trust-building and talent pipeline development, though the 9-turn structure occasionally forces complex ideas into overly simplistic metaphors. Case studies from Perreault’s career ground theoretical concepts, but a broader diversity of industries could strengthen relatability.
Reader Reactions & Emotional Impact
As a mid-career professional, I found Perreault’s candor about leadership detours both validating and unsettling—particularly his admission that prioritizing people over short-term gains often requires unpopular decisions. His anecdote about navigating a high-stakes merger with transparency sparked introspection about my own crisis management style. However, the biopharma-specific examples sometimes distanced me emotionally, wishing for more universally accessible scenarios.
The book’s humor lands effectively, especially in chapters about organizational absurdities, though tonal shifts between wit and gravitas can feel abrupt. A passage on leading through uncertainty resonated deeply during a week of team restructuring, its advice more pragmatic than platitude-heavy.
Constructive Criticism
- Scope: Over-reliance on biopharma cases; inclusion of tech/education/nonprofit contexts would broaden appeal.
- Structure: The 9 turns metaphor becomes repetitive; some turns overlap thematically .
- Depth: Chapters on future leader pipelines and values-based decisions could benefit from counterarguments or failure examples.
How I would describe this book:
- For leaders who know the straight path is a myth—Perreault’s 9 Turns are the compass you need.
- Finally, a leadership book that admits: getting lost is part of the journey.
- Like Atomic Habits meets Leaders Eat Last—with biopharma war stories.
Personal Remarks
Reading this during a career crossroads, I dog-eared Perreault’s confidence vs. competence paradox—a framework I applied to negotiate a role outside my comfort zone. His advice on quieting distraction noise led me to redesign my workweek, though I still crave his take on remote-team leadership.
Gratitude
Thank you to the publisher, Forbes Books, and Goodreads Giveaways for the ARC. This is essential reading for leaders navigating post-pandemic workplace complexities.
Final Verdict
A 4.6/5—a refreshing, if niche, addition to leadership literature. Perreault’s blend of humility and strategic brilliance outweighs structural flaws, offering tangible tools for principled leadership.
November 1, 2025
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
The Detour CEO reframes leadership as a series of intentional detours—each one a lesson in purpose, value, and adaptability. It’s less about titles, more about impact.
Executive Summary
Paul Perreault distills decades of leadership into nine key lessons:
1. Lead with Values — Anchor decisions in integrity.
2. Add Value Anywhere — Focus on contribution, not hierarchy.
3. Detours = Growth — Growth only comes when you step outside of your area of comfort. Learn most from the unexpected.
4. People First — When solving problems and getting things done, prioritize trust and relationships.
5. Prepare for Transitions — Change will happen whether you plan for it or not. Plan deliberately for what’s next.
6. Embrace Risk — Courage and experimentation drive progress. (Prototyping safely guides innovation.)
7. Stay Curious — Continuous learning sustains relevance.
8. Develop Others — Build leadership capacity beyond yourself. “Everyone has gifts. How can they contribute?”
9. Define Success Broadly — Impact matters more than status. Be the person people want to have around.
Review
As a learning scientist, I found this book aligns leadership with principles of learning design—reflection, feedback, and transfer. The call to “add value wherever you are” mirrors how we scaffold learning: context matters more than control.
Perreault’s humility and realism stand out. His take on detours as essential learning loops captures the nonlinear truth of growth. I wished for deeper exploration of failure and resistance, but his clarity and candor outweigh that gap.
It’s a grounded, service-oriented lens I’ll carry into both leadership development and instructional design.
TL;DR
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Practical, human, and purpose-driven. Read it if you lead teams, coach others, or design for growth. Detours aren’t setbacks—they’re where the learning lives.
Similar Reads
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — Courageous, vulnerable leadership.
Leader Shift by John C. Maxwell — Adapting leadership to constant change.
The Leader You Want by Amy Jen Su — Self-aware, balanced leadership practice.
Authorship Note: This review was co-authored using a time-saving GPT I built to help structure and refine my thoughts.
The Detour CEO reframes leadership as a series of intentional detours—each one a lesson in purpose, value, and adaptability. It’s less about titles, more about impact.
Executive Summary
Paul Perreault distills decades of leadership into nine key lessons:
1. Lead with Values — Anchor decisions in integrity.
2. Add Value Anywhere — Focus on contribution, not hierarchy.
3. Detours = Growth — Growth only comes when you step outside of your area of comfort. Learn most from the unexpected.
4. People First — When solving problems and getting things done, prioritize trust and relationships.
5. Prepare for Transitions — Change will happen whether you plan for it or not. Plan deliberately for what’s next.
6. Embrace Risk — Courage and experimentation drive progress. (Prototyping safely guides innovation.)
7. Stay Curious — Continuous learning sustains relevance.
8. Develop Others — Build leadership capacity beyond yourself. “Everyone has gifts. How can they contribute?”
9. Define Success Broadly — Impact matters more than status. Be the person people want to have around.
Review
As a learning scientist, I found this book aligns leadership with principles of learning design—reflection, feedback, and transfer. The call to “add value wherever you are” mirrors how we scaffold learning: context matters more than control.
Perreault’s humility and realism stand out. His take on detours as essential learning loops captures the nonlinear truth of growth. I wished for deeper exploration of failure and resistance, but his clarity and candor outweigh that gap.
It’s a grounded, service-oriented lens I’ll carry into both leadership development and instructional design.
TL;DR
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Practical, human, and purpose-driven. Read it if you lead teams, coach others, or design for growth. Detours aren’t setbacks—they’re where the learning lives.
Similar Reads
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — Courageous, vulnerable leadership.
Leader Shift by John C. Maxwell — Adapting leadership to constant change.
The Leader You Want by Amy Jen Su — Self-aware, balanced leadership practice.
Authorship Note: This review was co-authored using a time-saving GPT I built to help structure and refine my thoughts.
August 10, 2025
While Paul Perreault’s The Detour CEO: 9 Unexpected Turns on the Road to Leadership Success doesn’t offer revolutionary insights, it serves as a valuable reminder of fundamental leadership principles that leaders often lose sight of in their day-to-day responsibilities.
One of the book’s most compelling concepts is the idea of raising your own boss—viewing the development of good managers as an investment in your future leadership structure. Perreault encourages leaders to think of these individuals as potential future leaders who may one day become your superiors. This mental shift transforms how you approach talent development, emphasizing the importance of truly preparing others for greater responsibility.
The Detour CEO succeeds as a practical leadership reminder rather than a groundbreaking manifesto. While you may not discover revolutionary leadership secrets, you’ll likely find yourself recommitting to practices you know work but haven’t been consistently implementing.
Thanks NetGalley and Forbes Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
One of the book’s most compelling concepts is the idea of raising your own boss—viewing the development of good managers as an investment in your future leadership structure. Perreault encourages leaders to think of these individuals as potential future leaders who may one day become your superiors. This mental shift transforms how you approach talent development, emphasizing the importance of truly preparing others for greater responsibility.
The Detour CEO succeeds as a practical leadership reminder rather than a groundbreaking manifesto. While you may not discover revolutionary leadership secrets, you’ll likely find yourself recommitting to practices you know work but haven’t been consistently implementing.
Thanks NetGalley and Forbes Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2025
Learning to be a good leader
Not everyone was born to be a CEO; many times, they never even imagined it, and when they least expected it, they found themselves in this position without knowing what to do, trying to be a good leader and not fail in the attempt. This book is a kind of manual, where Perreault, author of The Detour CEO, in a selfless and knowledgeable way, shares how his experience has been as a leader in the specialized global biopharmaceutical sector.
I really like that the book is written in the first person, because it shows the author’s commitment to the work; moreover, it demonstrates that what he is telling and sharing, he has already lived and applied.
This reading should be mandatory for anyone who, at some point in their career, wants to be a leader—whether they become a CEO or not. The advice it provides is useful to improve the work environment, create a better organizational culture, among other aspects, from any position one may hold.
Not everyone was born to be a CEO; many times, they never even imagined it, and when they least expected it, they found themselves in this position without knowing what to do, trying to be a good leader and not fail in the attempt. This book is a kind of manual, where Perreault, author of The Detour CEO, in a selfless and knowledgeable way, shares how his experience has been as a leader in the specialized global biopharmaceutical sector.
I really like that the book is written in the first person, because it shows the author’s commitment to the work; moreover, it demonstrates that what he is telling and sharing, he has already lived and applied.
This reading should be mandatory for anyone who, at some point in their career, wants to be a leader—whether they become a CEO or not. The advice it provides is useful to improve the work environment, create a better organizational culture, among other aspects, from any position one may hold.
September 17, 2025
Learning from detours
This book made me see leadership from a new perspective. It is not only about climbing the ladder or being in control, but about learning from each step, even during the most uncertain moments. The writer shares his story with honesty, without trying to appear perfect. What I liked the most was how he shows that mistakes or detours are not failures, but chances to grow. It made me reflect on my own professional life. Sometimes I have felt that I strayed from the right path, but now I understand that those moments are also part of the journey. His reflections helped me appreciate humility, patience, and the importance of acting with purpose.
It is a book that inspires without preaching, and that is what makes it so valuable. I believe many people can find meaning in its pages, regardless of their career stage.
This book made me see leadership from a new perspective. It is not only about climbing the ladder or being in control, but about learning from each step, even during the most uncertain moments. The writer shares his story with honesty, without trying to appear perfect. What I liked the most was how he shows that mistakes or detours are not failures, but chances to grow. It made me reflect on my own professional life. Sometimes I have felt that I strayed from the right path, but now I understand that those moments are also part of the journey. His reflections helped me appreciate humility, patience, and the importance of acting with purpose.
It is a book that inspires without preaching, and that is what makes it so valuable. I believe many people can find meaning in its pages, regardless of their career stage.
September 17, 2025
Admirable
I spent many years in my job before retiring, and although I did grow professionally, some things did not turn out as I had hoped, and many doors remained closed to me even though I felt I was the best qualified. Reading this book has made me realize that I should have adopted a different attitude, taken different actions, and adopted different perspectives in order to achieve those growth goals. The author opened my eyes in a thousand ways, and instead of crying, I laugh because there is not much I can do now, but several of the recommendations or actions proposed are now very obvious, yet my past self did not know how to take them on. That's why I recommended the book to my two children and a couple of friends who are still active in their working lives and aspiring to grow. I think this book will be a good boost to help them become true leaders.
I spent many years in my job before retiring, and although I did grow professionally, some things did not turn out as I had hoped, and many doors remained closed to me even though I felt I was the best qualified. Reading this book has made me realize that I should have adopted a different attitude, taken different actions, and adopted different perspectives in order to achieve those growth goals. The author opened my eyes in a thousand ways, and instead of crying, I laugh because there is not much I can do now, but several of the recommendations or actions proposed are now very obvious, yet my past self did not know how to take them on. That's why I recommended the book to my two children and a couple of friends who are still active in their working lives and aspiring to grow. I think this book will be a good boost to help them become true leaders.
September 17, 2025
The perfect guide for leadership!
In this amazing book, Paul Perreault, former CEO in the biopharma industry, shares nine lessons he calls “detours”. His main message is that leadership is not a straight road but a journey full of changes, challenges, and unexpected turns. Each chapter explains how these moments shaped his career and character, from building trust and identifying talent to making decisions guided by values.
One of the things I enjoy the most about this book, is that the lessons shared along come from real experiences, not theory. Perreault shows that true leadership is about people, integrity, and purpose, not only about titles or profits. The structure of nine “turns” makes the content easy to follow, and the personal stories keep it interesting.
Very recommended and inspiring.
In this amazing book, Paul Perreault, former CEO in the biopharma industry, shares nine lessons he calls “detours”. His main message is that leadership is not a straight road but a journey full of changes, challenges, and unexpected turns. Each chapter explains how these moments shaped his career and character, from building trust and identifying talent to making decisions guided by values.
One of the things I enjoy the most about this book, is that the lessons shared along come from real experiences, not theory. Perreault shows that true leadership is about people, integrity, and purpose, not only about titles or profits. The structure of nine “turns” makes the content easy to follow, and the personal stories keep it interesting.
Very recommended and inspiring.
August 5, 2025
I love this book simply because it speaks to the place I am in, more around people and management and when you have a big team it is easy to get lost in fixing and solving problems and not empowering teams. Chapter 7 of this book has insights on finding your 80/20 people which I would like to try and ensure I focus on building my people.
Chapter 8 goes straight into expounding more on this with caution on 'don't fix everything,' and it is one major pitfall that I see most managers struggle with.
I would recommend this to anyone in leadership who would like to support and build people. It is well thought out and paced, you get chapter take-aways to build upon and practical activities to try.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC
Chapter 8 goes straight into expounding more on this with caution on 'don't fix everything,' and it is one major pitfall that I see most managers struggle with.
I would recommend this to anyone in leadership who would like to support and build people. It is well thought out and paced, you get chapter take-aways to build upon and practical activities to try.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC
September 17, 2025
The path to success is seldom straightforward and in The Detour CEO by Paul Perreault, business leaders learn how to embrace the deviations from the path to accelerate growth. Rather than seeing the changes and challenges along the way as setbacks, this book teaches how to incorporate them into your overall strategy. From managing challenges to growing and retaining talent, Perreault covers important aspects of leadership. What I particularly like about this book is its focus on remaining true to your own core values (something that I think is often overlooked in the overall push for growth and success). I recommend this book to anyone involved or interested in business leadership and am giving it five out of five stars.
September 17, 2025
In line with his approach
The book is very clear and precise about how a leader should behave, and although it may seem obvious, the book clearly shows us that it is not. Everyone aspires to go far by doing what they always do well, but that will not always be the case. The author clearly has the experience, method, and knowledge, because the message I take away (beyond doing your job well in relation to your goals) is that well-supported disruption is often more noticed and admired than regularity and consistency in a single task. The book is an excellent source of inspiration for anyone looking for unconventional ways to grow, who wants to dare to progress through change from many perspectives.
The book is very clear and precise about how a leader should behave, and although it may seem obvious, the book clearly shows us that it is not. Everyone aspires to go far by doing what they always do well, but that will not always be the case. The author clearly has the experience, method, and knowledge, because the message I take away (beyond doing your job well in relation to your goals) is that well-supported disruption is often more noticed and admired than regularity and consistency in a single task. The book is an excellent source of inspiration for anyone looking for unconventional ways to grow, who wants to dare to progress through change from many perspectives.
September 18, 2025
The Detour CEO by Paul Perrault is an honest and motivating book about leadership. The author shares nine “detours” he faced on the way to success. I liked how the book shows that the road to leadership is not straight, and mistakes or surprises can become lessons. While reading, I remembered when I once failed an important school project. At that time, I thought it was the end, but later I saw how much I learned from it. This book reminded me that setbacks are not final—they are steps. I also enjoyed the personal stories, which felt real and easy to connect with. They made me reflect on my own choices and goals. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants inspiration to keep going, even on difficult paths.
September 18, 2025
I was very impressed by this book for three main reasons: its originality, how entertaining it is to read, and how well it addresses the topic of organizational challenges.
In addition, the pages include theory and also practical ideas that can be easily applied with the guidance of this highly experienced author. He not only offers insights but also his own perspective to help set a clear vision.
I loved the introduction to the book from start to finish, and it definitely pushed me to finish reading it sooner than planned.
I believe this is a great ally for business leaders and a must-read for anyone who wants to kill time with an entertaining and well-developed book.
In addition, the pages include theory and also practical ideas that can be easily applied with the guidance of this highly experienced author. He not only offers insights but also his own perspective to help set a clear vision.
I loved the introduction to the book from start to finish, and it definitely pushed me to finish reading it sooner than planned.
I believe this is a great ally for business leaders and a must-read for anyone who wants to kill time with an entertaining and well-developed book.
November 11, 2025
Won this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my highest review. Started it fully expecting to DNF because I’m not necessarily the intended audience but there was some surprisingly decent advice and it was a quick read.
July 31, 2025
💯💯💯💯💯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
I recieved from goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
It was readable and relateable. Good common sense advice.
#goodreadsgiveaaways #TheDetourCEO
It was readable and relateable. Good common sense advice.
#goodreadsgiveaaways #TheDetourCEO
December 29, 2025
Good learning through stories book. I appreciate the authors perspective on the twists and turns a career can take and how you make the most of it.
September 24, 2025
This is a Non-Fiction. I do not think this is the book for me. I normally do not read non-fiction, but I am reading more for a reading challenge I am doing. I found parts in this book really good, but there were parts I found boring. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
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