The Kingmaker: A Leadership Story of Integrity and Purpose

by Tony Bridwell

After years of masterfully engineering careers of the most powerful people in the world, Kyle Ellis now finds an alarming rate of his “Kings”, as they are know within his close network, are falling from power. Over the course of a year four of his high profile clients have collapsed into trouble, requiring Kyle to step in and play damage control to save not only their career, but in some cases their very lives.

While contemplating the magnitude of each of their downfalls, he looks for any pattern that can help him reclaim their lives. His answer comes as he compares clients that remain successful and operating at their highest potential against those that have stumbled.

His long time friend and driver, Parker McIntosh, better known as Mac, becomes his confidant and adviser. Mac’s keen insights into people are the perfect pairing for Kyle’s strategic mastery in the chessboard of business and politics. Working together allows Kyle to discover the critical link in each case that is the key to their salvation.

The four key lessons become the core of the book's leadership teachings and its central takeaway:

The Servants Heart (Giving) - Moral collapse stems from Greed
The Learners Mind (Diligence) - Moral collapse stems from Apathy
The Second Chance Spirit (Kindness) - Moral collapse stems from Envy
The Vulnerability Strength (Humility) - Moral collapse stems from Pride

153 pages, Hardcover

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

With over 30 years of global leadership expertise, Tony Bridwell has dedicated his life to inspiring, motivating and empowering employees to realize their highest potential.

He currently serves as Chief People Officer for RYAN LLC, a global leader in the tax services industry. His focus, as head of the global human resource practice, is on enhancing, communicating, and driving RYAN'S award-winning culture to support the firm’s strategic vision while also gaining greater competitive advantage by attracting developing, and retaining the most talented tax professionals in the industry.

His previous roles include Senior Partner for the global consulting firm, Partners in Leadership, where he worked with some of the top organizations around the world helping maximize their cultures to exceed business objective and deliver greater shareholder value, as well as former SVP, CPO for Brinker International, where Mr. Bridwell led a global team of more than 60,000 people. His work transforming the Brinker culture to the next level garnered him the highest recognition from his peers in the industry. In fact, he was selected as the 2015 HR Executive of the Year by Dallas HR (the local SHRM affiliate) and won the 2015 Strategic Leadership Award from Strategic Excellence HR.

In addition to his professional commitments, Tony is dedicated to multiple organizations. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves on the board of directors for Southwest Transplant Alliance, a non-profit organization that serves as the bridge between those who make the decision to donate their organs and those needing a life-saving transplant throughout much of Texas.

Tony is the author of several articles and three books, The Difference Maker, A Simple Fable About Making a Difference in the Life of Others (August 2013), The KingMaker, A Leadership Story of Integrity and Purpose (June 2016) and The Newsmaker, A leadership Story of Honor and Love (February 2018), The Changemaker, A Leadership Story of Courage and Character (April 2019), and Saturday Morning Tea, The Power of Story to Change Everything

He currently resides with his family in Dallas, TX.

Reviews

[KarnagesMistress · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can compare my experience with this book to my recent experience reading The Chiffon Trenches. Both books deal with worlds that I am not a part of, and will most likely never be. I went into both books wanting to learn something about these foreign worlds, and I left both books reminded of what a poor white trash introvert I really am. Even a serf should strive to lead a purpose-centered life, and, if ever given the opportunity to be in a leadership position, would be wise to attempt to follow the lessons of The Kingmaker: A Leadership Story of Integrity and Purpose. I guess it must be harder for people who can have "a $10,000 bottle of scotch for breakfast" (p. 102) to avoid the trap of situational integrity. (Just a quick observation, however: you can get a five-liter box of Franzia Cabernet Sauvignon from my local Walmart for a mere $17.98, and it will get you just as drunk. If blotto asap is your goal, there is no reason to waste the good stuff.) It's obvious that those people are Tony Bridwell's real audience, and the book is filled with positive reviews from them. There is neither a C nor an E in my job title; I'm just a humble and loveable (I hope!) insurance lady. For what it's worth, I will try to remember Tony Bridwell's lessons, when and if I ever can. This book will also satisfy the Watauga County Public Library 2021 Reading Challenge (ending 6/30/2021) categories: A Book Under 200 Pages; A Book About a Different Culture; Genre You Don't Usually Read. I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Kingmaker" is a book written purely to deliver a lesson, which is that "purpose-driven" people should be in positions of leadership. While in principle this is a good lesson, it comes across as black and white: greed or altruism (arguably, greed is a purpose for some people, but it's clear that they mean a positive purpose even though purposes could be negative but built on principles and values which are not socially positive). It's actually a very short story, 150 pages as printed, with large font and tons of empty space, so it's an easy read. It's an alright story, clear with a repeated message, and written smoothly with a quick pace. It's a light and pointed read. Please note that I received this book through Goodreads giveaways.

[Rob Tolentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony Bridwell's The Kingmaker is a must read for anyone serving in a management or leadership position. It shows the potential results of the different paths we choose to go down when being a leader. It will make you take inventory of what is important to you and the effect our actions have on others.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a self-help book disguised as fiction. I found it very difficult to enjoy the story because the message, about finding purpose in your life, was the main focus of the story instead of the characters.

I received a copy in a Goodreads giveaway, but the opinions are all my own.

[Todd Storch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and easy read with a deep and meaningful core. It reads like a Grisham novel with the Gospel as its script.

Loved it!

[Dan Cotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent fable about a man, the kingmaker, who realizes he has gone about things wrong without proper purpose. Does a nice job of giving some values and principles in a fiction setting. Quick read.