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Winners Never Cheat: Even in Difficult Times
The nationwide bestseller--fully updated for today’s tough times and worldwide financial crises
“Everyone does it.” Everyone cheats. Cuts corners. Tells lies. Maybe it was different once. Not today. If you want to succeed in this economic climate, you simply have to make compromises. Right?
Wrong. You can succeed at the highest levels, without sacrificing the principles that make life worth living. The proof? You’re holding it.
Jon M. Huntsman built a $12 billion company from scratch, the old-fashioned with integrity. There were short-term costs and difficult decisions. There were tough times. Times just like today. But ultimately, leading with integrity wasn’t just personally right for Huntsman, it also proved to be the best business strategy.
In Winners Never Cheat, Huntsman tells you how he did it, and how you can, too. This book is about remembering why you work, and why you were chosen to lead. It’s about finding the bravery to act on what you know is right, no matter what you’re up against.
It’s about winning. The right way.
Think about the kind of person you want to do business with. Then, be that person--and use this book to get you there.
Author royalties from this book go to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation
“The way Jon conducts his business and lives his life will not only inspire you to be a better person, citizen, and entrepreneur, it also will give you hope that the good guys don't finish last.”
Glenn Beck
"Jon Huntsman is a different breed. He believes business is a creative endeavor, similar to a theater production, wherein integrity must be the central character."
Larry King, CNN
"Jon Huntsman's own life and personal values lend credence to his words. He walks his ethical talk."
Neil Cavuto, Fox News
"This book could put me out of business. Nobody would be happier about it than me."
Wayne Reaud, Trial Attorney.
“Everyone does it.” Everyone cheats. Cuts corners. Tells lies. Maybe it was different once. Not today. If you want to succeed in this economic climate, you simply have to make compromises. Right?
Wrong. You can succeed at the highest levels, without sacrificing the principles that make life worth living. The proof? You’re holding it.
Jon M. Huntsman built a $12 billion company from scratch, the old-fashioned with integrity. There were short-term costs and difficult decisions. There were tough times. Times just like today. But ultimately, leading with integrity wasn’t just personally right for Huntsman, it also proved to be the best business strategy.
In Winners Never Cheat, Huntsman tells you how he did it, and how you can, too. This book is about remembering why you work, and why you were chosen to lead. It’s about finding the bravery to act on what you know is right, no matter what you’re up against.
It’s about winning. The right way.
Think about the kind of person you want to do business with. Then, be that person--and use this book to get you there.
Author royalties from this book go to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation
“The way Jon conducts his business and lives his life will not only inspire you to be a better person, citizen, and entrepreneur, it also will give you hope that the good guys don't finish last.”
Glenn Beck
"Jon Huntsman is a different breed. He believes business is a creative endeavor, similar to a theater production, wherein integrity must be the central character."
Larry King, CNN
"Jon Huntsman's own life and personal values lend credence to his words. He walks his ethical talk."
Neil Cavuto, Fox News
"This book could put me out of business. Nobody would be happier about it than me."
Wayne Reaud, Trial Attorney.
Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2008
159 people are currently reading
2737 people want to read
About the author
Jon M. Huntsman Sr.
17 books27 followersJon Meade Huntsman, Sr. was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder and executive chairman of Huntsman Corporation, a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals. He was the father of Jon Huntsman a former United States Ambassador to Singapore, China, and (as of 2017) Russia and a former Governor of Utah .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 20, 2011
Great quick read. I liked the second half about giving back better than the first half in ethics, but regardless the book is a good reminder that honesty is always the best policy--in business or life.
July 21, 2009
I love Jon Huntsman Sr. We've never personally met, but I'm sure he'd love me too. Dale, however, met him in Kuwait when he and Elder Ballard stopped and gave a fireside for the soldiers there. Dale got his picture taken with him. Most notable to Dale of the visit was that when everyone started taking out their cameras, Jon Huntsman pulled his out and asked to have some taken for him as well. While all the soldiers and regular people there had fancy digital cameras, Jon Huntsman (the bazillionaire) pulled out... a wind up disposable. Of everyone there, he had the cheapest camera of anyone.
I don't think Dale remembers anything about the fireside, just the camera thing.
Since I love John Huntsman a lot, and I am a big fan of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, I really was excited to read his book. It was good, but more geared towards ethics in businessmen than other areas of living. But still applicable. My only criticism (my main criticism) is that he has these seriously awesome stories that he abbreviates to a paragraph or two, then makes a five page statement about honest, where I wanted the opposite. Or at least five pages of the story, as WELL as five pages of the honesty stuff. Like, "I worked in the Nixon administration as a special advisor and something else very important, and I didn't like what they were doing and refused to follow orders. So I got fired. Then I never had to go be questioned in front of a grand jury because of Watergate, since I was honest. Let me talk about honesty...." I TOTALLY TOTALLY wanted to hear more juicy details about Nixon stuff, and also about all the other stuff. Everything. I wanted more excitement about everything.
That said, I left the book inspired to be more honest and do what John Huntsman would do. We have a small business, (we're landlords), and it made me do a couple things differently in the last week, even though it cost me a little bit more money. I probably would have had to pay the cash anyway, but this way I did it less begrudgingly. Yeah for me!
One last thing - I always think of general authorities as so mild mannered and meak. Not even. I always forget that they are some of the strongest leaders in the entire world, with opinions and beliefs and attitudes to match. He didn't say anything sugar coated - he just laid it all out. Like, "What this guy did was crap. His name was so and so, and he should be ashamed because it was crap, what he did. Crap on him and his cat."
I also liked that he referred to all the "f-words" you should remember in business - family, friends, free stuff, french fries (k, I actually forgot what most of the "f-words" were, but the point is that it was funny to hear a general authority make that kind of a joke. Ha, ha.).
I don't think Dale remembers anything about the fireside, just the camera thing.
Since I love John Huntsman a lot, and I am a big fan of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, I really was excited to read his book. It was good, but more geared towards ethics in businessmen than other areas of living. But still applicable. My only criticism (my main criticism) is that he has these seriously awesome stories that he abbreviates to a paragraph or two, then makes a five page statement about honest, where I wanted the opposite. Or at least five pages of the story, as WELL as five pages of the honesty stuff. Like, "I worked in the Nixon administration as a special advisor and something else very important, and I didn't like what they were doing and refused to follow orders. So I got fired. Then I never had to go be questioned in front of a grand jury because of Watergate, since I was honest. Let me talk about honesty...." I TOTALLY TOTALLY wanted to hear more juicy details about Nixon stuff, and also about all the other stuff. Everything. I wanted more excitement about everything.
That said, I left the book inspired to be more honest and do what John Huntsman would do. We have a small business, (we're landlords), and it made me do a couple things differently in the last week, even though it cost me a little bit more money. I probably would have had to pay the cash anyway, but this way I did it less begrudgingly. Yeah for me!
One last thing - I always think of general authorities as so mild mannered and meak. Not even. I always forget that they are some of the strongest leaders in the entire world, with opinions and beliefs and attitudes to match. He didn't say anything sugar coated - he just laid it all out. Like, "What this guy did was crap. His name was so and so, and he should be ashamed because it was crap, what he did. Crap on him and his cat."
I also liked that he referred to all the "f-words" you should remember in business - family, friends, free stuff, french fries (k, I actually forgot what most of the "f-words" were, but the point is that it was funny to hear a general authority make that kind of a joke. Ha, ha.).
December 18, 2021
A third book I would add to the "must read" list for my team.
I was a bit skeptical before starting this book. However, I found that I judged it by my own biases. The book itself was very enjoyable.
We all need a time-to-time reminder to be more ethical. It's not that we didn't want to be, just on the spot of making a decision we might not understand or consider the actual ethics of our deed.
Some parts that spoke to me from the book:
Julgus on inimese isikuomadustest esikohal, kuna see on omadus, millest lähtuvad kõik teised.
Original bt Churchill: Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
The book made me think about lawyers and the huge contracts we have nowadays. Sadly, a handshake and the man's word do not mean that much. But it shouldn't be that way. If you don't like something then find a flaw in the contract and get your "money back" even if the actual situation would never allow that. He also explains really well his opinion why lawyers see business totally differently than businessmen.
The best revenge is just being successful.
Miks terased õpilased spikerdavad?
Miks eeskujulikud kodanikud tuludeklaratsioonis liialdavad?
Miks heas vormis inimesed steroide kasutavad?
Kuidas end usklikeks pidavad inimesed teisele silma vaatavad ja valetavad?
Miks täidab ülirikas oma niigi üleajavaid taskuid mingi pettuse abil?
The point Jon Huntsman really stressed was giving back and philanthropy.
I was a bit skeptical before starting this book. However, I found that I judged it by my own biases. The book itself was very enjoyable.
We all need a time-to-time reminder to be more ethical. It's not that we didn't want to be, just on the spot of making a decision we might not understand or consider the actual ethics of our deed.
Some parts that spoke to me from the book:
Julgus on inimese isikuomadustest esikohal, kuna see on omadus, millest lähtuvad kõik teised.
Original bt Churchill: Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
The book made me think about lawyers and the huge contracts we have nowadays. Sadly, a handshake and the man's word do not mean that much. But it shouldn't be that way. If you don't like something then find a flaw in the contract and get your "money back" even if the actual situation would never allow that. He also explains really well his opinion why lawyers see business totally differently than businessmen.
The best revenge is just being successful.
Miks terased õpilased spikerdavad?
Miks eeskujulikud kodanikud tuludeklaratsioonis liialdavad?
Miks heas vormis inimesed steroide kasutavad?
Kuidas end usklikeks pidavad inimesed teisele silma vaatavad ja valetavad?
Miks täidab ülirikas oma niigi üleajavaid taskuid mingi pettuse abil?
The point Jon Huntsman really stressed was giving back and philanthropy.
September 6, 2017
Great book. Great refresher. Interesting perspectives from this billionaire.
June 24, 2013
Multi-millionaire Jon M. Huntsman, friend of Glenn Beck and father of a former candidate for president, offers some interesting perspectives on business ethics in this rewrite of his 2004 book. He has some significant (but sometimes, obvious) insights, though I don’t agree with all of them. For example, his initial chapter insists, “It is easy to take the high road when the route is leading to better times.” (p. 2) Personally, I’m not entirely convinced. I’m more of the Asian philosophy that an easy route makes rivers straight, but humans crooked. Indeed, when we look at the ethical abuses leading up to problems in the 2008 economic collapse, we saw a lot of ethical abuses in what were, in fact, good times. Greed is greed no matter where we are on the economic cycle. Still, I liked his use of the Shakespearean quotation, “Sweet are the uses of adversity” (As You Like It, Act II, Scene i, Line 12) and he conceded the point about greed being greed on p. 3.
He offered an interesting quotation on p. 24 from Ernest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer, which compared life to a game: “The rules matter a great deal. The game has to be played fairly or it is no game at all. And even to win the game is not the chief end. The chief end is to win it honorably and splendidly.” As both a gamer and person who wants to live with integrity, I like that.
I also like his contention, early in the book, that: “There is no such thing as a moral agnostic. An amoral person is a moral person who temporarily –and often quite creatively—disconnects from his or her values.” (p. 27) How does such a disconnection occur? “Rationalizing dims caution lights, arrogance blurs boundaries, desperation overrides good sense.” (p. 29) Yet, Huntsman contends that we sense that underlying wrong the entire time. To those who object that misbehavior is rampant in our society, he responds: “Basic misbehavior is considered as wrong today as it was 100 years ago, although I’ll grant that today’s atmosphere produces more creative and sophisticated rationalizations for such mischief.” (p. 31)
After speaking of the value of ethics, Huntsman moves to the subject of leadership. Following upon what went before, he asserted that the leader must lead by example. But fortunately, in this book, leading by example may not mean what you think it does. Huntsman is morally courageous enough to know that it is as important to lead by the example of our mistakes, as well as by our successes. I particularly liked his viewpoint, “Leadership is about taking risks. If your life is free of failure, you aren’t much of a leader.” (p. 61) He also quoted an old axiom with no source that I liked, “Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgment.” (p. 63)
Although I really didn’t see anything new in this volume, some of the personal anecdotes of his business dealings and some of the ways he phrased that which I already knew proved to be very helpful. For example, there is nothing new in the following, but it is really sound advice: “Never adjust your values downward. To do so requires that you must lie to yourself. Once you see yourself as a fraud, your positive self-image evaporates.” (pp. 103-4) Again, in discussing the need for surrounding yourself with people smarter than you are, he writes: “Life is not a game of Solitaire; people depend on one another. When one does well, others are lifted. When one stumbles, others also are impacted.” (p. 110) On the next page, he writes of choosing people who share the same (or greater) values as he has and people who share the same or greater passion as he has, plus a greater competency as the secret of his success.
He also cautions against revenge with, “In reality, getting even is a form of self-pity. I view self-pity as one of the worst human weaknesses, a virus that can incapacitate otherwise decent, effective people.” (p. 132) He pleads for graciousness by stating, “Each of us has a stake in the accomplishments and failures of those around us; each of us holds an interest in the deeds of others.” (p. 153)
Again, none of this is new. Huntsman merely presents old-fashioned ideas in a refreshing way. Most refreshing is that this isn’t idle theory. This is a man who refused millions of dollars of appreciation in a business deal because he had already shaken hands at a certain value. This is a man who was proud to work in the Nixon White House, but refused to play the game with H. R. Haldeman (p. 122). This is a man who practices so much philanthropy that he was absolutely horrified to discover that Richard Nixon only gave $500 to charity on $400K in income (p. 173). This is a man who faced cancer himself and works to encourage current cancer patients (pp. 199-200).
For some, this isn’t a serious ethical work. It doesn’t take cultural differences into perspective and has a definite faith/virtue bias over logical argument. Okay, it’s an inspirational work. Once in a while, we need an inspiring message. Winners Never Cheat: Even in Difficult Times is an inspirational message.
He offered an interesting quotation on p. 24 from Ernest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer, which compared life to a game: “The rules matter a great deal. The game has to be played fairly or it is no game at all. And even to win the game is not the chief end. The chief end is to win it honorably and splendidly.” As both a gamer and person who wants to live with integrity, I like that.
I also like his contention, early in the book, that: “There is no such thing as a moral agnostic. An amoral person is a moral person who temporarily –and often quite creatively—disconnects from his or her values.” (p. 27) How does such a disconnection occur? “Rationalizing dims caution lights, arrogance blurs boundaries, desperation overrides good sense.” (p. 29) Yet, Huntsman contends that we sense that underlying wrong the entire time. To those who object that misbehavior is rampant in our society, he responds: “Basic misbehavior is considered as wrong today as it was 100 years ago, although I’ll grant that today’s atmosphere produces more creative and sophisticated rationalizations for such mischief.” (p. 31)
After speaking of the value of ethics, Huntsman moves to the subject of leadership. Following upon what went before, he asserted that the leader must lead by example. But fortunately, in this book, leading by example may not mean what you think it does. Huntsman is morally courageous enough to know that it is as important to lead by the example of our mistakes, as well as by our successes. I particularly liked his viewpoint, “Leadership is about taking risks. If your life is free of failure, you aren’t much of a leader.” (p. 61) He also quoted an old axiom with no source that I liked, “Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgment.” (p. 63)
Although I really didn’t see anything new in this volume, some of the personal anecdotes of his business dealings and some of the ways he phrased that which I already knew proved to be very helpful. For example, there is nothing new in the following, but it is really sound advice: “Never adjust your values downward. To do so requires that you must lie to yourself. Once you see yourself as a fraud, your positive self-image evaporates.” (pp. 103-4) Again, in discussing the need for surrounding yourself with people smarter than you are, he writes: “Life is not a game of Solitaire; people depend on one another. When one does well, others are lifted. When one stumbles, others also are impacted.” (p. 110) On the next page, he writes of choosing people who share the same (or greater) values as he has and people who share the same or greater passion as he has, plus a greater competency as the secret of his success.
He also cautions against revenge with, “In reality, getting even is a form of self-pity. I view self-pity as one of the worst human weaknesses, a virus that can incapacitate otherwise decent, effective people.” (p. 132) He pleads for graciousness by stating, “Each of us has a stake in the accomplishments and failures of those around us; each of us holds an interest in the deeds of others.” (p. 153)
Again, none of this is new. Huntsman merely presents old-fashioned ideas in a refreshing way. Most refreshing is that this isn’t idle theory. This is a man who refused millions of dollars of appreciation in a business deal because he had already shaken hands at a certain value. This is a man who was proud to work in the Nixon White House, but refused to play the game with H. R. Haldeman (p. 122). This is a man who practices so much philanthropy that he was absolutely horrified to discover that Richard Nixon only gave $500 to charity on $400K in income (p. 173). This is a man who faced cancer himself and works to encourage current cancer patients (pp. 199-200).
For some, this isn’t a serious ethical work. It doesn’t take cultural differences into perspective and has a definite faith/virtue bias over logical argument. Okay, it’s an inspirational work. Once in a while, we need an inspiring message. Winners Never Cheat: Even in Difficult Times is an inspirational message.
January 25, 2021
This was so timely for me to read right now. Because people aren't always honest. But they can be--everyone has a conscience and everyone was taught to play fair.
I loved his optimism and belief that difficult times do not require you to give up your moral compass. You don't need lawyers and contracts if your word is your bond. You can negotiate with handshake deals and then follow through. The time to negotiate a contract is while you're discussing and that is a great time to change your mind, fight hard for what you need and think deeply about the deal you'll be able to live with. And then, once the handshake is over, once the deal is made you STOP NEGOTIATING. Because you've given your word, you've made the deal, you've promised to fulfill.
"It's easy to keep a bargain or honor a contract when it works in your favor. The measure of an individual is when his or her word is kept even when it puts the person at a disadvantage."
I'm discussing this in book club later in the year so the rest of these notes are just for me to remember:
pg. 6 - Story of court trial in Delaware: "How one honors situations when things turn sour or when a deal ends up being more costly than originally thought is how one defines his or her personal values."
pg. 19 - Story of working as White House staff member "There are times when we react too quickly to catch the rightness and wrongness of something immediately. It took about 15 minutes for my inner moral compass to make itself noticed and to swing me to the point that I recognized this wasn't the right thing to do."
pg. 28 - Story of trying to steal an ice cream sandwich from corner market as a boy
pg. 42 - Negotiating: "Businesspeople do not place their integrity in jeopardy by driving hard bargains, negotiating intensely, or fiercely seeking every legitimate advantage. The negotiations, however, must be fair and honest. 'Without staunch adherence to truth-telling, all confidence in communication would be lost.'"
pg. 46 - Parable: "The bad news is we have lost radio contact, our radar doesn't work, and clouds are blocking our view of the stars. The good news is there is a strong tailwind and we are making excellent time." (Does it matter how fast you're getting there if you've lost your moral compass along the way?)
pg. 51 - "We blame situations or others. We rationalize that immoral behavior is accepted practice. Shifting responsibility away from ourselves has become an art form."
pg. 56 - Story of captain accepting responsibility for lieutenant's actions
pg. 65 - "Leaders can come in different forms and flavors, but core elements rarely vary: talent, integrity, courage, vision, commitment, empathy, humility, and confidence. The greater these attributes, the stronger the leadership."
pg. 66 - "Difficulty is the one excuse that history never accepts." - Edward R Murrow (It's never too difficult to keep your word)
pg. 84 - "I feel so strongly that integrity is central to all else virtuous. It is distressing that two people these days must necessarily be uneasy about simple oral agreements or that we don't take responsibility for our own errors."
pg. 89 - Story of selling to Great Lakes Chemical Co - handshake deal "Even though I could have forced Great Lakes to pay an extra $200 million for that 40 percent ownership stake in my company, I never had to wrestle with my conscience or look over my shoulder. My word was my bond."
pg. 93 - "Individual and corporate integrity must become the hallmark of the marketplace. Deep in our hearts, we all have a basic understanding that when we shake on something, it's supposed to stick. Remember the 'cross my heart and hope to die' line? A handshake should always be as binding as a signed legal document."
pg. 100 - "Remember, a bad turn of events does not release us from our promise. Only the person to whom your word was given can release you from that."
pg. 103 - "Winning is much more than ledgers. In assessing our worth, look first to the bedrock of our lives: values, health, family, and friends. Dying is no fun, even if you leave behind a pot of gold. Family and friends are the lifeblood and legacy of our lives."
pg. 106 - "We are in dire need of constant reminders, whether from others or from ourselves, of the universal axiom: honesty is the best policy."
pg. 111 - "The first and most important decision in one's success is carefully choosing the people who will surround you. Make sure they share your values, make certain their character defaults to the moral high ground in times of stress."
pg. 115 - "Ethics is all about how we meet the challenge of doing the right thing when that act will cost more than we want to pay. Respect often comes at a cost--quite high at times--but one must be willing to pay the price."
pg. 130 - "To not react to low blows, slights, and petty name-calling may require more willpower than humans can muster. Don't hold back when it comes to emotions. Let your feelings come out. Getting mad for a brief time is far better than a long and costly plan to get even. Make your reaction fast, furious, and finite. Vent your hurt, your anger, your frustrations. Let emotions rip. Then say to yourself: 'There, I feel better. It's over. Move on.'"
pg. 135 - Story of justice catching up to Sweetheart Plastics "Don't concern yourself with avenging personal putdowns or injuries. Justice has a way of catching up to those who do injury to others."
pg. 146 - "I have discovered that final remarks relate a great deal about the deceased. Few words are wasted over one's academic achievements, professional career, or wealth. Families receive major play, but the most spotlighted characteristic is how the dearly departed treated others."
pg. 159 - Your Name is On the Door. Operate businesses and organizations as if they're family owned.
pg. 161 - Workplace should be an extension of your home. "The recipe for happiness is to have just enough money to pay the monthly bills you acquire, a little surplus to give you confidence, a little too much work each day, enthusiasm for your work, a substantial share of good health, a couple of real friends, and a spouse and children to share life's beauty with you." -Jay Kenfield Morley
pg. 166 - "The surest path to success is one where others walk with you. Plants and equipment can be easily replaced; hard-working, loyal employees are as valuable as precious gems. If CEOs are the mind of the organization, employees are the heart. The corporate culture is the soul."
pg. 196 - Values don't change from generation to generation. Virtues and vices are in every generation.
pg. 198 - "It's easy to keep a bargain or honor a contract when it works in your favor. The measure of an individual is when his or her word is kept even when it puts the person at a disadvantage."
I loved his optimism and belief that difficult times do not require you to give up your moral compass. You don't need lawyers and contracts if your word is your bond. You can negotiate with handshake deals and then follow through. The time to negotiate a contract is while you're discussing and that is a great time to change your mind, fight hard for what you need and think deeply about the deal you'll be able to live with. And then, once the handshake is over, once the deal is made you STOP NEGOTIATING. Because you've given your word, you've made the deal, you've promised to fulfill.
"It's easy to keep a bargain or honor a contract when it works in your favor. The measure of an individual is when his or her word is kept even when it puts the person at a disadvantage."
I'm discussing this in book club later in the year so the rest of these notes are just for me to remember:
pg. 6 - Story of court trial in Delaware: "How one honors situations when things turn sour or when a deal ends up being more costly than originally thought is how one defines his or her personal values."
pg. 19 - Story of working as White House staff member "There are times when we react too quickly to catch the rightness and wrongness of something immediately. It took about 15 minutes for my inner moral compass to make itself noticed and to swing me to the point that I recognized this wasn't the right thing to do."
pg. 28 - Story of trying to steal an ice cream sandwich from corner market as a boy
pg. 42 - Negotiating: "Businesspeople do not place their integrity in jeopardy by driving hard bargains, negotiating intensely, or fiercely seeking every legitimate advantage. The negotiations, however, must be fair and honest. 'Without staunch adherence to truth-telling, all confidence in communication would be lost.'"
pg. 46 - Parable: "The bad news is we have lost radio contact, our radar doesn't work, and clouds are blocking our view of the stars. The good news is there is a strong tailwind and we are making excellent time." (Does it matter how fast you're getting there if you've lost your moral compass along the way?)
pg. 51 - "We blame situations or others. We rationalize that immoral behavior is accepted practice. Shifting responsibility away from ourselves has become an art form."
pg. 56 - Story of captain accepting responsibility for lieutenant's actions
pg. 65 - "Leaders can come in different forms and flavors, but core elements rarely vary: talent, integrity, courage, vision, commitment, empathy, humility, and confidence. The greater these attributes, the stronger the leadership."
pg. 66 - "Difficulty is the one excuse that history never accepts." - Edward R Murrow (It's never too difficult to keep your word)
pg. 84 - "I feel so strongly that integrity is central to all else virtuous. It is distressing that two people these days must necessarily be uneasy about simple oral agreements or that we don't take responsibility for our own errors."
pg. 89 - Story of selling to Great Lakes Chemical Co - handshake deal "Even though I could have forced Great Lakes to pay an extra $200 million for that 40 percent ownership stake in my company, I never had to wrestle with my conscience or look over my shoulder. My word was my bond."
pg. 93 - "Individual and corporate integrity must become the hallmark of the marketplace. Deep in our hearts, we all have a basic understanding that when we shake on something, it's supposed to stick. Remember the 'cross my heart and hope to die' line? A handshake should always be as binding as a signed legal document."
pg. 100 - "Remember, a bad turn of events does not release us from our promise. Only the person to whom your word was given can release you from that."
pg. 103 - "Winning is much more than ledgers. In assessing our worth, look first to the bedrock of our lives: values, health, family, and friends. Dying is no fun, even if you leave behind a pot of gold. Family and friends are the lifeblood and legacy of our lives."
pg. 106 - "We are in dire need of constant reminders, whether from others or from ourselves, of the universal axiom: honesty is the best policy."
pg. 111 - "The first and most important decision in one's success is carefully choosing the people who will surround you. Make sure they share your values, make certain their character defaults to the moral high ground in times of stress."
pg. 115 - "Ethics is all about how we meet the challenge of doing the right thing when that act will cost more than we want to pay. Respect often comes at a cost--quite high at times--but one must be willing to pay the price."
pg. 130 - "To not react to low blows, slights, and petty name-calling may require more willpower than humans can muster. Don't hold back when it comes to emotions. Let your feelings come out. Getting mad for a brief time is far better than a long and costly plan to get even. Make your reaction fast, furious, and finite. Vent your hurt, your anger, your frustrations. Let emotions rip. Then say to yourself: 'There, I feel better. It's over. Move on.'"
pg. 135 - Story of justice catching up to Sweetheart Plastics "Don't concern yourself with avenging personal putdowns or injuries. Justice has a way of catching up to those who do injury to others."
pg. 146 - "I have discovered that final remarks relate a great deal about the deceased. Few words are wasted over one's academic achievements, professional career, or wealth. Families receive major play, but the most spotlighted characteristic is how the dearly departed treated others."
pg. 159 - Your Name is On the Door. Operate businesses and organizations as if they're family owned.
pg. 161 - Workplace should be an extension of your home. "The recipe for happiness is to have just enough money to pay the monthly bills you acquire, a little surplus to give you confidence, a little too much work each day, enthusiasm for your work, a substantial share of good health, a couple of real friends, and a spouse and children to share life's beauty with you." -Jay Kenfield Morley
pg. 166 - "The surest path to success is one where others walk with you. Plants and equipment can be easily replaced; hard-working, loyal employees are as valuable as precious gems. If CEOs are the mind of the organization, employees are the heart. The corporate culture is the soul."
pg. 196 - Values don't change from generation to generation. Virtues and vices are in every generation.
pg. 198 - "It's easy to keep a bargain or honor a contract when it works in your favor. The measure of an individual is when his or her word is kept even when it puts the person at a disadvantage."
August 13, 2012
Billionaire and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman calls men and women to a life of honesty and integrity. I really enjoyed his writing on giving. He definitely has a "gift of giving." And if you hang around him for a little while in his book, he makes you want to get out and help someone and throw away a life of selfishness.
Even though his religious beliefs are different from mine and I found he does his giving mostly to be "seen by men" and for "the glory of men." He has done some great work and all that is needed is for him to do things for "the glory of God" and he would be exceptional.
If you want to be inspired to raise the bar in your life, than this is the book!
Even though his religious beliefs are different from mine and I found he does his giving mostly to be "seen by men" and for "the glory of men." He has done some great work and all that is needed is for him to do things for "the glory of God" and he would be exceptional.
If you want to be inspired to raise the bar in your life, than this is the book!
July 30, 2009
This guy is a giver. He is an example that you receive great things when you give time and money to others.
August 21, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It was like sitting down and having a talk with my Grandpa about basic values. Very down-to-earth and a great reminder of what's most important in life.
February 7, 2021
My Best Book Of The Month of January "Winners Never Cheat" By Jon M. Huntsman
Short Review
Winners never cheat even in a difficult time. Every good work does by great individual will become an amazing memory in the future, and also a source of inspiration to others. In this inspirational book akin to autobiography, Jon M. Huntstman, CEO of Huntsman Corporation and founder of Huntsman Cancer Institute, inspires his readers through integrity, compassion, sacrifice, hard-work, leadership and generosity. In his thought "Succeeding or getting to the top at all costs by definition is an immoral goal. Forget about who finishes first and who finishes last. Decent, honorable people finish races and their lives in grand style and with respect. Financial ends never justify unethical means. Success comes to those who possess skill, courage, integrity, decency, commitment, and generosity."
The author defined 'character' in a brilliant manner which said "character is how you act when no one is watching you." these words drag me into deep thinking about the character of people in my society whose only aim is to be famous and others talk about them. Even the so called religious followers are not excluded. Talking about religion, Jon looks into other religions positively especially in terms of giving. Despite being a Christian. He believes that "All religions of the world reserve a high place on their must do lists for giving to the less fortunate. Christianity calls it charity; for Jews, it is tzedaka; Muslims have their zakat; Hindus their bhakti."
Many people chose to defined 'compassion' with words, but people like Jon M. Huntsman chose to defined it with action. People that can collected loans to fund their charity work. He believes that "Life is not a game of Solitaire; people depend on one another. When one does well, others are lifted. When one stumbles, others also are impacted." Yet, do not expect something in return when you did the right thing to others, this is why he added "True giving is doing something for somebody who can never repay you" And we see it through Jon's action in his Huntsman Cancer Institute, one of the best Cancer Institute in the whole world. Is also FREE.
On leadership, is just about the three Rs "Risk, responsibility, reliability" In our present world, many aspiring leaders confuse when they found themselves in the corridor of leadership, because they never thought about it roles and challenges. Jon Said "Leadership is about taking risks. If your life is free of failure, you aren’t much of a leader. Take no risks, and you risk more than ever. No pain, no gain. Mistakes are not the problem. How one identifies and corrects errors, how one turns failure into a new opportunity, and how one learns from those mistakes, determines the quality and durability of leaders. Strong leaders accept responsibility for problems and deal with them swiftly and fairly. If the problem is your responsibility, so is the solution."
The book reminds me Dalai Lama's 'Beyond Religion' which also talked about ethics and morality focused on compassion, integrity generosity. Is not a surprised when Dalai Lama were mentioned by Jon in this book, because they shared the same passion and had the same feelings which moulded their thought in the same shape.
Let me conclude with Glenn Beck's words about the author "Jon Huntsman’s true legacy, however, isn’t the multi-billion dollar company he built or how he revolutionized how we live with what he created, but his unwavering honor, integrity, and generosity in every aspect of his professional and personal life."
Cc: Bashir Abubakar
Short Review
Winners never cheat even in a difficult time. Every good work does by great individual will become an amazing memory in the future, and also a source of inspiration to others. In this inspirational book akin to autobiography, Jon M. Huntstman, CEO of Huntsman Corporation and founder of Huntsman Cancer Institute, inspires his readers through integrity, compassion, sacrifice, hard-work, leadership and generosity. In his thought "Succeeding or getting to the top at all costs by definition is an immoral goal. Forget about who finishes first and who finishes last. Decent, honorable people finish races and their lives in grand style and with respect. Financial ends never justify unethical means. Success comes to those who possess skill, courage, integrity, decency, commitment, and generosity."
The author defined 'character' in a brilliant manner which said "character is how you act when no one is watching you." these words drag me into deep thinking about the character of people in my society whose only aim is to be famous and others talk about them. Even the so called religious followers are not excluded. Talking about religion, Jon looks into other religions positively especially in terms of giving. Despite being a Christian. He believes that "All religions of the world reserve a high place on their must do lists for giving to the less fortunate. Christianity calls it charity; for Jews, it is tzedaka; Muslims have their zakat; Hindus their bhakti."
Many people chose to defined 'compassion' with words, but people like Jon M. Huntsman chose to defined it with action. People that can collected loans to fund their charity work. He believes that "Life is not a game of Solitaire; people depend on one another. When one does well, others are lifted. When one stumbles, others also are impacted." Yet, do not expect something in return when you did the right thing to others, this is why he added "True giving is doing something for somebody who can never repay you" And we see it through Jon's action in his Huntsman Cancer Institute, one of the best Cancer Institute in the whole world. Is also FREE.
On leadership, is just about the three Rs "Risk, responsibility, reliability" In our present world, many aspiring leaders confuse when they found themselves in the corridor of leadership, because they never thought about it roles and challenges. Jon Said "Leadership is about taking risks. If your life is free of failure, you aren’t much of a leader. Take no risks, and you risk more than ever. No pain, no gain. Mistakes are not the problem. How one identifies and corrects errors, how one turns failure into a new opportunity, and how one learns from those mistakes, determines the quality and durability of leaders. Strong leaders accept responsibility for problems and deal with them swiftly and fairly. If the problem is your responsibility, so is the solution."
The book reminds me Dalai Lama's 'Beyond Religion' which also talked about ethics and morality focused on compassion, integrity generosity. Is not a surprised when Dalai Lama were mentioned by Jon in this book, because they shared the same passion and had the same feelings which moulded their thought in the same shape.
Let me conclude with Glenn Beck's words about the author "Jon Huntsman’s true legacy, however, isn’t the multi-billion dollar company he built or how he revolutionized how we live with what he created, but his unwavering honor, integrity, and generosity in every aspect of his professional and personal life."
Cc: Bashir Abubakar
May 7, 2021
Not particularly deep. Here are the main messages:
If we can act true to good values life would be simpler. In the long term acting without integrity will catch you!
This book was written by a successful CEO who was an advisor at the White House. The important lesson is to remind yourself of core values which are embedded from our earliest days: don’t steal, don’t cheat, don’t lie. It is important to adhere to these values in all aspects of life including in business.
Unethical acts can be viewed at times as the more practical route. The potential penalty for dishonesty may appear small compared to the perceived advantages, which may make you tempted to undertake that route. Don’t do it this is a slippery slope.
Book has advantages of potential profit or promotions, which he declined and ultimately if he had taken would have led to significant problems such as companies going bust and investigations. There are multiple examples in the book of him staying true to his word on a deal, even though he could have made more money by pushing the other side. He insists that in the long run this resulted in him having a good reputation and obtaining more business.
In business it is important that we listen to lawyers, but only for a second opinion. Your opinion as a CEO ought to be the first and the last. The CEO is the individual who takes the risk; who must determine the personally decent, ethical route. If lawyers are allowed to decide all that, they are the ones leading the company. Suggests that corporate attorneys are advisors after-all.
If you have to choose between admiration and respect go for respect. Respect may come at a cost but will help you in the long run. Never adjust your values downward. To do so requires that you must lie to yourself. Once you see yourself as a fraud, your positive self-image evaporates.
VLOG summary available: https://youtu.be/e7jiJJXgFD0
If you found this helpful feel free to check out my website for more summaries! www.chrisweatherburn.com
If we can act true to good values life would be simpler. In the long term acting without integrity will catch you!
This book was written by a successful CEO who was an advisor at the White House. The important lesson is to remind yourself of core values which are embedded from our earliest days: don’t steal, don’t cheat, don’t lie. It is important to adhere to these values in all aspects of life including in business.
Unethical acts can be viewed at times as the more practical route. The potential penalty for dishonesty may appear small compared to the perceived advantages, which may make you tempted to undertake that route. Don’t do it this is a slippery slope.
Book has advantages of potential profit or promotions, which he declined and ultimately if he had taken would have led to significant problems such as companies going bust and investigations. There are multiple examples in the book of him staying true to his word on a deal, even though he could have made more money by pushing the other side. He insists that in the long run this resulted in him having a good reputation and obtaining more business.
In business it is important that we listen to lawyers, but only for a second opinion. Your opinion as a CEO ought to be the first and the last. The CEO is the individual who takes the risk; who must determine the personally decent, ethical route. If lawyers are allowed to decide all that, they are the ones leading the company. Suggests that corporate attorneys are advisors after-all.
If you have to choose between admiration and respect go for respect. Respect may come at a cost but will help you in the long run. Never adjust your values downward. To do so requires that you must lie to yourself. Once you see yourself as a fraud, your positive self-image evaporates.
VLOG summary available: https://youtu.be/e7jiJJXgFD0
If you found this helpful feel free to check out my website for more summaries! www.chrisweatherburn.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2017
While I agree with Mr. Huntsman Sr. on the utmost importance of maintaining and stating clearly defined moral & ethical values, as outlined in his book, Winners Never Cheat: Even in Difficult Times, I felt a disconnect from his reasoning, which often alluded to finding strength of character, or the righteous path, to be an extension of a relationship with God, Godliness, prayer, and other religious dogma. It seemed to me that he considered faith to be a fairly substantial portion of his moral fiber, and that's where he lost me.
Considering that I think all organized religions are inherently divisive; thus diametrically opposed to my core beliefs of inclusivity, universal compassion, and cooperation, I felt excluded by his insistence that worshipping a deity (Christianity inferred) would assist one in following a righteous path. As you may be wondering: I'm Agnostic, and if you ask anyone who knows me, you'll hear words like empathic, kind, sweet, funny, spiritual, a deep thinker. No threat of hell, or promise of heaven motivates me to value integrity as highly as I do, yet I do. So while I deeply appreciate, respect, and endeavor to emulate the decency for which Mr. Huntsman Sr. is known, our life experiences are so vastly different, that our inspirations and motivations seem worlds apart. I should very much like to have tea with him while discussing our perceptions on life and autonomy.
You should know:
Throughout my time reading this book I repeatedly had the feeling that the author was literally preaching, and most often to the choir as I usually shared his views, though perhaps for different reasons? At 65% completion (according to my Kindle), Mr. Huntsman Sr. hadn't iterated any new, useful information to me, so I skimmed ahead a bit, then stopped reading.
Considering that I think all organized religions are inherently divisive; thus diametrically opposed to my core beliefs of inclusivity, universal compassion, and cooperation, I felt excluded by his insistence that worshipping a deity (Christianity inferred) would assist one in following a righteous path. As you may be wondering: I'm Agnostic, and if you ask anyone who knows me, you'll hear words like empathic, kind, sweet, funny, spiritual, a deep thinker. No threat of hell, or promise of heaven motivates me to value integrity as highly as I do, yet I do. So while I deeply appreciate, respect, and endeavor to emulate the decency for which Mr. Huntsman Sr. is known, our life experiences are so vastly different, that our inspirations and motivations seem worlds apart. I should very much like to have tea with him while discussing our perceptions on life and autonomy.
You should know:
Throughout my time reading this book I repeatedly had the feeling that the author was literally preaching, and most often to the choir as I usually shared his views, though perhaps for different reasons? At 65% completion (according to my Kindle), Mr. Huntsman Sr. hadn't iterated any new, useful information to me, so I skimmed ahead a bit, then stopped reading.
January 19, 2025
Basically this is a whole book written about one simple statement: The Golden Rule, Do On To Others As You Would Have Them Do Onto You. All in all good advice but I felt the book was kind of a self-gratification, how great I am type of book. It also gets kind of preachy. A lot of the book, especially the second focuses on how no-one is self-made and how philanthropy and giving to others should pretty much be mandatory. I feel helping others who truly need it is a worthwhile endeavor. But to assert that you should give away anything above and beyond what you need to live is kind of silly. Taxes in a way are already somewhat forced philanthropy and you can see how wasteful that has become. There is an interesting book by Ayn Rand (The Virtues of Selfishness) that I read a few years ago. It makes a case as to why unchecked philanthropy is counter productive and actually harmful. I personally don't think that is universally true but it is an interesting counter argument to the premise of this book. In general I didn't really get anything out of this book other than concepts that are pretty much common knowledge. So all in all I think there are better ways to spend your time.
April 9, 2020
I am reading the book again over the weekend.
Too good to be read just once and put down.
One thing I wanted to learn when I picked the book (initially 'cause of the catchy title) was whether there's a real proof that the fair-players could outplay the cheaters.
The overall feeling after finishing the book is that it is how we define a "win". Cheaters could "win" if mere financial gains themselves are the rulers of a "win".
By whose perspective is this "win" defined? Some handful of amoral people who measure one's worth by the amount of wealth and possessions? Or some cheaters who laugh at the decent people who work hard, honest and ethically regardless of the lures of easier and short paths?
We, the decent people, should define "win" by the measures of our inner good selves and of the other good people, not of the drug-dealing millionaires.
Given that perspective, cheaters never win, and fair-players always win.
* I never played golf. And it is through this book that I knew golf is the only sports that the player calls foul on him/herself.
Too good to be read just once and put down.
One thing I wanted to learn when I picked the book (initially 'cause of the catchy title) was whether there's a real proof that the fair-players could outplay the cheaters.
The overall feeling after finishing the book is that it is how we define a "win". Cheaters could "win" if mere financial gains themselves are the rulers of a "win".
By whose perspective is this "win" defined? Some handful of amoral people who measure one's worth by the amount of wealth and possessions? Or some cheaters who laugh at the decent people who work hard, honest and ethically regardless of the lures of easier and short paths?
We, the decent people, should define "win" by the measures of our inner good selves and of the other good people, not of the drug-dealing millionaires.
Given that perspective, cheaters never win, and fair-players always win.
* I never played golf. And it is through this book that I knew golf is the only sports that the player calls foul on him/herself.
February 22, 2020
I’ve had this book sitting in my kindle library for years and had totally forgotten buying it. A few weeks ago, my son (who works for a Huntsman acquired company) recommended that I read it. So having extra credits in my audible account, I purchased it.
The narrator was wonderful. But the really wonderful part was how inspired I was by Huntsman's dedication to and recommendation of doing business in an ethical manner at all times.
The really awful part of listening to this book written back in 2004 was the validation that our present day government and the President are engaging in totally unethical behavior—and our country is in grave danger of becoming a dictatorship.
Back to the book. If you care about your behavior, your values, and want to contribute to the betterment of mankind, conduct yourself as this man suggests.
The narrator was wonderful. But the really wonderful part was how inspired I was by Huntsman's dedication to and recommendation of doing business in an ethical manner at all times.
The really awful part of listening to this book written back in 2004 was the validation that our present day government and the President are engaging in totally unethical behavior—and our country is in grave danger of becoming a dictatorship.
Back to the book. If you care about your behavior, your values, and want to contribute to the betterment of mankind, conduct yourself as this man suggests.
December 30, 2018
I don’t believe readers will find any of the material covered in this book to be mind-blowing, or new in any way. Huntsman simply reminds us of the values that should be in play in our everyday lives and the fact that we should be applying these to our work lives as well.
I had every intention of giving this book 4-stars right up until the last chapter. Huntsman pulls everything together nicely at the end and does an excellent job of putting into perspective what is truly important in life. In the end he did have me looking at things with a somewhat different perspective, which great books often do.
I had every intention of giving this book 4-stars right up until the last chapter. Huntsman pulls everything together nicely at the end and does an excellent job of putting into perspective what is truly important in life. In the end he did have me looking at things with a somewhat different perspective, which great books often do.
January 24, 2022
This is a really really good read, and I actually enjoyed it more than I expected at the start. In fact, in the first sitting itself I was able to complete a hundred and 50 pages or something. Because the author has written a really witty, kind, and a honest to heart book.
However, and I think it's a personal drawback, but once I picked up the book again, I just couldn't get back into it. I felt that the author was repeating just the same thing while saying that he's repeating the same thing consciously, which I found to be a bit redundant. But again, that's a personal opinion.
Over all, a really good read!
However, and I think it's a personal drawback, but once I picked up the book again, I just couldn't get back into it. I felt that the author was repeating just the same thing while saying that he's repeating the same thing consciously, which I found to be a bit redundant. But again, that's a personal opinion.
Over all, a really good read!
October 28, 2019
A very pleasurable read which outlines methods and uses stories to tell how one can act in a respectful and ethical manner in the world of business, and be successful while doing it.
Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that people internalize which is that to be a successful business man, it is likely that you will need to play a little dirty at times. This ideology is foiled in Winners Never Cheat.
Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that people internalize which is that to be a successful business man, it is likely that you will need to play a little dirty at times. This ideology is foiled in Winners Never Cheat.
January 9, 2018
As I read through this one thought kept popping up in my head.
Why are not more companies like this?
I have worked for a few companies and heard of others. All seem to proclaim great values as their creed, yet when you look at the details they fail to even come close.
I wish more CEO's etc were like Mr. Huntsman.
Why are not more companies like this?
I have worked for a few companies and heard of others. All seem to proclaim great values as their creed, yet when you look at the details they fail to even come close.
I wish more CEO's etc were like Mr. Huntsman.
January 6, 2019
Though I agree wholeheartedly with Mr.Hunstman on how moral values have slipped out of fashion in our society...and in our ways of doing business...and the changes he speaks of as most needed and welcome, I felt the book had a rather sanctimonious tone to it. The author's high praise of Mitt Romney's "integrity" made me laugh, and also dropped the rating down another star for me.
May 5, 2019
"Common sense", but values and morals not always abided by in the workplace. I loved Jon's take on life in all aspects, and how integrity is highly important within a working environment. Great read, highly recommend.
October 30, 2016
I can tell that I like the guy just by reading this piece of his. He is actually a pretty good wordsmith, too.
August 6, 2017
EXCELLENT!!! Must read business book.
August 16, 2018
To set reminders for life.
September 7, 2018
Reminds us that honesty and generosity are important in business, but also essential to a happy life.
February 26, 2019
One of the first books I read on the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, so glad I did!! Essential book for every owner!
March 26, 2019
If only there were more pure and true leaders of Huntman's character and caliber.
April 6, 2020
A short book. Common sense principles of every day values. Worth the read B+. 3.5
May 6, 2021
A book that reiterates the old values we all need more than ever
August 16, 2021
Utterly boring. Couldn’t get through first chapter
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews