To Be Honest

Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice and Purpose

By: Ron A. Carucci

Narrated by: Ron A. Carucci

Based on 15 years of research, To Be Honest explains how four factors (Clear Identity, Accountability, Governance and Cross-Functional Relationships) affect honesty, justice, and purpose within a company. When these factors are absent or ineffective, the organizational conditions compel employees to choose dishonesty and self-interest. But when done well, the organization is 16 times more likely to have people tell the truth, behave fairly and serve a greater good.

To Be Honest shares the stories of leaders who have acted with purpose, honesty and justice even when it was difficult to do so. In-depth interviews with CEOs and senior executives from exemplar companies such as Patagonia, Cabot Creamery, Microsoft and others reveal what it takes to build purpose-driven companies of honesty and justice. Interviews with thought leaders like Jonathan Haidt, Amy Edmondson, Dan Ariely and James Detert offer rich insights on how leaders can become more honest and purposeful. You'll learn how Hubert Joly took Best Buy from a company on the brink of bankruptcy to one that is profitable, thriving and purposeful.

Filled with real-life examples, To Be Honest offers actionable steps, practical tools and approaches that any leader or manager can use to create a culture of purpose, honesty and justice.

©2021 Kogan Page (P)2022 Ron A. Carucci

Unedited audio is distracting

The narration itself could have been fine, I think the author doesn't make a bad narrator. But the audio was not edited: it included stumbles, small coughs, and pauses in the wrong places, which constantly distracted from the actual content. That feels simply disrespectful for the listener, like leaving typos in the written text. Everybody writes typos and stumbles when narrating, that's what editing is for.

So good and packed with insights, I’ve listened to it twice.

Listening to To Be Honest, narrated by the book’s author, was like getting nearly 10 hours of 1:1 time with a leading expert for the price of 1 Audible credit! Ron’s work in To Be Honest is data-informed, insightful, and highly relevant to anyone in a leadership position. I’ve listened to this book twice over the past few months and have been using the printed book for continued study. All current or aspiring leaders should listen to this book and apply the many lessons learned in their companies or organizations. The people we lead and the customers we serve deserve and need it.

Catalog of Musts for Good Culture

Ron provides an abundance of data and anecdotes to illustrate that honesty is not only the best policy, but the only way to run a productive company. Anyone responsible for corporate culture should read this book like its a course in best practices and not-so-good pitfalls. He shares very practical advice and insights. I highly recommend it for anyone who believes (or doubts) that truth and honestly belong in both our personal and professional lives.