Jossey Bass Releases THE MANAGER AND THE MONK

A shift is emerging in organizational leadership. Realizing that blindly pursuing short-term success can result in long-term damage, leaders have begun to rethink the traditional idea of a mission statement, instead merging their organizational goals with what is better for their community and the environment as a whole. Organizations run this way, with attention to altruism as well as profits, will find success while positively impacting society in the process. But balancing both ideals can be tricky. Given the mix of personal principles and executive policies managers must juggle, what is the best way to strike a balance between these two views?

In The Manager and the Monk: A Discourse on Prayer, Profit and Principles (Wiley; $26.95; April 2013, 978-1-118-47941-4; e-book available) unlikely co-authors Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grun prove that managing responsibly is a very attainable reality. Zeitz, who spent 18 years as Puma's CEO and executive chairman, understands the pressures of operating a large, global corporation while staying true to personal convictions. Meanwhile, as cellarer of his Benedictine abbey, Grun must manage his staff of 300 in the monastery's commercial activities while upholding the spiritual philosophies he and his monastery hold sacred. Although Zeitz and Grun hold different roles and responsibilities, their experiences demonstrate that management and values are not mutually exclusive.

The Manager and the Monk features several essays and an ongoing dialogue between these two unique individuals, presenting a guide for any manager to lead responsibly and sustainably in the fast-paced 21st century. Due to their shared values and commitments to their respective organizations, Zeitz and Grun have more in common than one would expect. Throughout the book, the two draw on a diverse assortment of sources, from contemporary religious thought to psychological theory. A valuable guide for anyone interested in exploring the beneficial relationship between values and business, The Manager and the Monk radically changes the meaning of success.

While financial success was once the epitome of corporate achievement, Zeitz and Grun establish the importance of a new standard: collective success. By following the examples set forth in the book, anyone will be able to manage responsibly, benefitting every sector their organization comes into contact with-not just their shareholders. Readers will learn how to manage an organization while simultaneously upholding the values that are important to them, such as protecting the environment, improving society, employing sustainable methods, and more. To fully address every aspect of responsible management, the book covers a wealth of topical subjects such as success, prosperity, culture, values, the environment and ethics.

Translated from the award-winning German original into14 languages and now available in for the first time in English, The Manager and the Monk challenges and inspires readers to think beyond their organization's traditional self-serving mission statement and create something better. It's a thoughtful exploration and impassioned plea for how to manage responsibly in the modern world.