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  • Veronica Roth
  • Mark Roth

Praise for Character is Destiny:

Henry Kissinger:
“A fascinating window into the life and work of Swedish businessman and European Round Table of Industrialists’ founder Pehr Gyllenhammar. Whether recounting his childhood during World War II, his years as Volvo’s CEO, or his little known work as a Track Two diplomat in the Middle East, Gyllenhammar is always engaging and intelligent, offering an unflinching assessment of international business, US and European politics, and democracies under siege. Like its author, with whom I share a decades-old friendship, Character is Destiny is by turns insightful, amusing, and refreshingly
direct.”

David Rockefeller, Jr.:
“Business leader, diplomat, humanist and global citizen – Pehr Gyllenhammar has led a life of fruitful endeavor marked by the highest standards of integrity. This distinguished Swede has cleverly decided to write his impressive autobiography in English. Character is Destiny should be read by all aspiring leaders who want to build bridges, not walls.”

Glenn D. Lowry:
“Pehr Gyllenhammar is one of the most respected and thoughtful leaders of his generation. His long awaited second book promises to be an important contribution to thinking about how to make the world a safer and better place through the lens of business and diplomacy.”

David Thomson:
“A sentient being of remarkable purpose in the pursuit of human qualities. Pehr's passion, curiosity, humility and absolute integrity have inspired countless individuals. The range of his perception belies his experience. I look inward after our dialogues. Pehr's legacy deserves this personal narrative for generations to ponder.”

Quotes

     "The mutually respectful relationship I’ve had with working people over the years is not a result of my being a highly skilled speaker—since I don’t believe that I am—it has come rather because our interactions were always unvarnished, honest, and direct."

     ''I can only hope that the unbroken line of individuals that have carried the torch of the principles forward year after year will continue indefinitely."

     "A political leader who openly wages war on the media poses a serious risk to culture and society, one that cannot be ignored. "

     "I have spent the last twenty years assessing senior executives across a wide variety of industries and, in my experience, great leadership can only be achieved when intelligence is complemented by strong interpersonal skills, drive, integrity, and the ability to define and articulate a compelling vision for the organization."

     "The simple rule is always to find the best person or people in central fields and support them in the most flexible manner possible. Let them come together and do what they do. Avoid imposing artificial goals, boundaries, and schedules. Eliminate, as much as possible, the complications and bureaucratic entanglement of review committees. Don’t be afraid to engage someone who is, or who might be, smarter than you. Give them the work they most want to do and let them do it."

 


 

World Affairs Councils of America

Pehr Gyllenhammar, former Chairman and CEO of Volvo, discussed "Innovation and Integrity" as part of WACA's all-virtual conference Sept. 28-Oct. 2.


Pehr Gyllenhammar, is mainly known for his 24 years as CEO and chairman of Volvo, between 1970 and 1994.In the early 1980s he took the initiative for the European Round Table of Industrialists. (ERT)