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Leadership Is Common Sense
Herman Cain believes there is a better leader in everyone and that leadership is about recognizing the potential in yourself and others. In Leadership Is Common Sense, the reader is provided with the necessary tools to realize that potential. Cain, former Chairman of the Board of Godfather's Pizza, Inc., also shares an in-depth account of Godfather's Pizza turnaround to profitability. With infectious enthusiasm, Herman Cain demonstrates the value of having a dream with the motivation, determination and passion needed to achieve it.
220 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 1996
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Herman Cain
17 books14 followersHerman Cain is a candidate for the U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination who has a background as a business executive, syndicated columnist, and radio host from Georgia. He served as chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza from 1986 to 1996. Cain served as deputy chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City from 1992 to 1994, and as chairman from 1995 to 1996. Before his business career, he worked as a mathematician in ballistics as a civilian employee of the United States Navy. Cain was president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association from 1996 to 1999.
Cain ran for public office several times, including a campaign in 2000 for President and 2004 for Senator, neither of which were successful. In May 2011, Cain entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Initially dismissed by mainstream media, Cain unexpectedly surged in Republican primary polls in October 2011, and became one of the leading candidates for the nomination.
Cain ran for public office several times, including a campaign in 2000 for President and 2004 for Senator, neither of which were successful. In May 2011, Cain entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Initially dismissed by mainstream media, Cain unexpectedly surged in Republican primary polls in October 2011, and became one of the leading candidates for the nomination.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 4, 2011
I really liked this book. I picked it up because I wanted to know more about Herman Cain as a presidential candidate. This was an excellent book to help me know more about his leadership style, and it also turned out to be an enjoyable read with plenty of nuggets of wisdom.
The book starts out with the first chapter outlining what he sees as the common sense principles of leadership. He first discusses three essential attributes of a leader. They are:
1. Happiness
2. Willing to take risks
3. Ability to Focus
Next he talks about the important things a leader should do:
1. Identify and Remove Barriers to motivation
2. Lead
a. Ask the right questions
b. Be willing to get ugly when necessary.
3. Inspire those you lead.
The rest of the book is an autobiography where he details his rise to various leadership roles and how each of the above attributes and practices were important in those roles. He makes it an interesting story while at the same time illustrating the principles he is trying to teach. I pulled out a few quotes that I thought I should share.
"It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream." - Dr. Benjamin E. Mays p. 4
"You can't motivate people, you can only thwart their motivation because people motivate themselves." Peter Drucker p. 10
"I believe that our Creator put us on this earth to make a difference-to make a positive impact on the lives of other people, whether that's in our family, our business, our church or our country." - Herman Cain p.104
"Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't, in either case, you're right." - Henry Ford p. 106
"On behalf of all of those business owners that are in a situation similar to mine, my question is, quite simply, if I'm forced to do this, what will I tell those people whose jobs I will have to eliminate?" - Question asked by Herman Cain to President Clinton during the healthcare debate in 1994. This question was said by Newt Gingrich to be the turning point in the debate.
In the end, I liked what he taught about leadership, I enjoyed the story about his life and I really liked his common sense approach to politics. He seems like a very common sense person. Unfortunately, what he sees as common sense is severely lacking in our leaders in government today. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about Herman Cain, or anyone that would just like to learn more about how the simple application of common sense could change a family, a business or a country.
The book starts out with the first chapter outlining what he sees as the common sense principles of leadership. He first discusses three essential attributes of a leader. They are:
1. Happiness
2. Willing to take risks
3. Ability to Focus
Next he talks about the important things a leader should do:
1. Identify and Remove Barriers to motivation
2. Lead
a. Ask the right questions
b. Be willing to get ugly when necessary.
3. Inspire those you lead.
The rest of the book is an autobiography where he details his rise to various leadership roles and how each of the above attributes and practices were important in those roles. He makes it an interesting story while at the same time illustrating the principles he is trying to teach. I pulled out a few quotes that I thought I should share.
"It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream." - Dr. Benjamin E. Mays p. 4
"You can't motivate people, you can only thwart their motivation because people motivate themselves." Peter Drucker p. 10
"I believe that our Creator put us on this earth to make a difference-to make a positive impact on the lives of other people, whether that's in our family, our business, our church or our country." - Herman Cain p.104
"Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't, in either case, you're right." - Henry Ford p. 106
"On behalf of all of those business owners that are in a situation similar to mine, my question is, quite simply, if I'm forced to do this, what will I tell those people whose jobs I will have to eliminate?" - Question asked by Herman Cain to President Clinton during the healthcare debate in 1994. This question was said by Newt Gingrich to be the turning point in the debate.
In the end, I liked what he taught about leadership, I enjoyed the story about his life and I really liked his common sense approach to politics. He seems like a very common sense person. Unfortunately, what he sees as common sense is severely lacking in our leaders in government today. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about Herman Cain, or anyone that would just like to learn more about how the simple application of common sense could change a family, a business or a country.
December 1, 2011
In an effort to get to know something about Mr. Cain, I recently picked up three of his books. This was the third one I started to read. It quickly became apparent that this one contains the same themes, same stories and same conclusions as the other two (CEO of Self and This is Herman Cain), except that this one is perhaps an update to one and a precursor to the other. The book about Herman Cain includes his views on a number of issues that he must address as a candidate for President of the United States. Otherwise, these books tell his life's story, particularly his experiences in a rather stellar business career. All are part of an effort to showcase his qualifications to run for President.
In reading these books, I have found Mr. Cain to be a man of little substance and full of silly trite statements, which he finds humorous. I don't.
In reading these books, I have found Mr. Cain to be a man of little substance and full of silly trite statements, which he finds humorous. I don't.
April 10, 2020
I read it a very long time ago but recall enjoying the book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews