An interview with witty and wise author Alan M. Webber on his new book, “Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths For Winning At Business Without Losing Your Self”.
For those of you who are hearing about Alan for the first time, he is former editor and co-founder of Fast Company Magazine, former editorial director and managing editor of the Harvard Business Review, a columnist and author of a new book, “Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths For Winning At Business Without Losing Your Self.” It is hands down one of the best and wisest business books I have ever read. Alan doesn’t believe in spin for the sake of spin to get the word out on his book. If he did, it would have hit the best-seller list overnight. Instead, he relies on folks like me to tell the truth and slowly put the good word in. That said, if I had a bottomless piggybank, I would gift this book to everyone I know so they could reflect on it and become a better and wiser person. It’s a must-read.
I set out to ask Alan critical questions relating to how his book came about. Here’s our interview:
Question: Why did you write “Rules of Thumb”?
Webber: I wrote “Rules of Thumb” after giving a speech to a CEO and his executive team on leadership. At the end of the speech, the CEO asked his team to name one person in America with "moral leadership" — the kind of person you'd follow based on their character and life-view. The entire room was silent for about 5 minutes. No one could think of a single name — not in business, government, or organized religion. When I got home from that, I realized that we all need to be moral leaders, and that we need to devise a way to create a conversation about the kind of future we want to create together. “Rules of Thumb” is my invitation to that conversation.
Question: Who did you write it for?
Webber: I wrote it for my children, of course, and also for anyone who is looking to learn, to teach, to grow, and to perform as a leader and a person during this time of enormous uncertainty and transition.
Question: What's the gist of it?
Webber: I suppose the gist of it is that we all need to pay attention to the new rules of work and life; that the world is changing and we are all responsible for how it changes — and to guide our own lives, our companies, our families, and our communities in a direction that makes sense, that works, that has positive results, and that is sustainable.
Question: What will readers learn from reading the book?
Webber: Readers will learn how I see the world; how to begin to see the world for themselves with fresh eyes; some things about leadership, creativity, innovation, that could help them as they find their own way in the world.
Question: If there is one rule of thumb you had to live by, what would it be and why?
Webber: Rule #52, the last one I wrote tells us all to pay attention — there are teachers everywhere. If we pay attention to what we're doing, to who we're meeting, to what is actually going on around us, we'll all make better choices, have a greater awareness of what matters, and be more alive to the possibilities in life and in work.
Question: According to your book and your own life experience, what is the recipe (key ingredients) to becoming a great leader?
Webber: Being an active listener; a passionate and involved person; a person with high standards and moral clarity; being focused on things that really matter; caring about more than just yourself.
Question: How will your book change our world for the better?
Webber: Ah, good question! By telling the truth, I hope!
Question: Where can people go to learn more about “Rules of Thumb”?
Webber: RulesofThumbBook.com
Thank you, Alan, for sharing your wisdom. Now, to all of you: What’s the rule of thumb that you live by? Share yours and add to the conversation.??
About the Author: Global business expert Laurel Delaney is the founder of GlobalTrade.com. She also is the creator of "Borderbuster," an e-newsletter, and The Global Small Business Blog, all highly regarded for their global small business coverage.