The Winding Road to Excellence

Leadership Lessons Learned from Life’s Potholes

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Pub Date 08 Aug 2023 | Archive Date 08 Aug 2023
Forbes Books | ForbesBooks

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Description

In this readable and relatable collection of savvy business advice on developing a corporate culture where people genuinely want to perform at their best and keep the interests of the business top of mind, Toby Stansell develops a series of pithy, memorable “Mantras for Excellence.” The mantras he has developed take the form of “one-liners” that capture “learning experiences” in which he had willingly participated or grudgingly endured. From these memorable shorthand mantras, Stansell then develops the ideas and practical applications at their core. Recognizing that an authentic leader must start by being an authentic person, Stansell shares informative stories of how he came to form these mantras — often by falling into the potholes life so often offers up — and from them builds a framework that leaders can put to work in transforming their companies. A transformational leader elevates companies that are desirable to work for, cultivating a culture in which everyone―throughout the organization―is empowered to use their talents to live and work at their best.


As CEO of Cargo LLC and the former CEO and President of companies ranging from Finance to Apparel and High - Tech to Manufacturing, Stansell knows what it takes to lead in a manner that assists people in achieving their best. Stansell has proven an expert at learning how to transform his own life and those around him, taking what on the surface appear to be liabilities and shaping them into key assets. The book is based on the principle that if we look at everything life hands us, good and bad, as an opportunity, we can begin to build a positive, principle-based framework for successful leadership. Stansell writes, “We are extraordinarily honored to have others put their trust in us and place us in positions of leadership. We are wise to be humble, careful, and considerate as to how we apply the influence our positions offer us to positively impact and hopefully make better the lives of those around us.”


Stansell possesses an innate ability to develop and deploy innovative approaches to an organization’s most pressing challenges, and his leadership infuses an indelible culture within commercial, civic, and cultural entities that motivates, galvanizes, and unifies the organization’s personnel to fulfill its true purpose. Stansell’s primary objectives when leading an organization are to impart a sustainable positive and productive culture, identify and capitalize upon transformative opportunities, and optimize efficiencies and financial performance. A raconteur at heart, Stansell will keep readers laughing and repeating stories they encounter, even as they learn approaches that can transform their businesses.

In this readable and relatable collection of savvy business advice on developing a corporate culture where people genuinely want to perform at their best and keep the interests of the business top of...


Advance Praise

“Things do not always go ‘right’ and rarely do they go as planned. Toby exemplifies the importance of positive thinking and adaptability as key aspects of leadership during periods of rapid change. He has instilled these traits in my everyday activities and is proof a smile goes a long way!
SCOTT MOSS, Merger and Acquisition Executive

“Things do not always go ‘right’ and rarely do they go as planned. Toby exemplifies the importance of positive thinking and adaptability as key aspects of leadership during periods of rapid change...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9798887500058
PRICE $27.99 (USD)
PAGES 288

Average rating from 4 members


Featured Reviews

Modern Day Cliff Notes for Life and Leadership
Toby Stansell has distilled a lifetime's worth of aphorisms he's collected from his dad, his mentors, the great philosophers, and ordinary people he's come across into a lively and tightly written book. Both light and funny, never heavy nor slow. These lessons breathe perspective into how to do good work, make a difference, and be gentle with one another. For example, "Stop trying to draw attention & instead pay attention" is neither obvious nor cliche, and how much healthier would society be if more people lived by these words? "Don't pass up an opportunity because of fear" has a similar girth: something to noodle on, then practice. Although most of his personal stories cement these "Tobyisms" into our memories in a sincere and lighthearted way, I could have lived without a running list of his accolades mid-chapter, especially after eviscerating arrogance in the workplace. It just felt disingenuous from someone who otherwise came across as likable and worth learning from--no matter how many classes he's taught or offices he's held. His value stands on its own and comes through his character more loudly than from his accomplishments. Overall, I truly appreciated this collection and feel certain I'll remember and repeat the insights I gained from The Winding Road to Excellence. A perfect meandering in a useful direction.

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This book is a refreshing collection of advice in the world of business. With his 'Mantras for Excellence,' he delivers practical wisdom in a witty and relatable manner. Stansell's genuine approach to leadership and his knack for turning challenges into opportunities make this a good read for any aspiring leader looking to build a thriving corporate culture.

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Below was my original review on the audiobook. I still stand by this review but now that I have seen kindle book setup, I like the book even more. The narrator added enthusiasm, but in this case I like having the book to reference better.

I enjoyed the consistent structure of each chapter. There was no jumping around so it was easy to follow along with the topics and the book built nicely, a simple read. I felt motivated and entertained by the enthusiastic narrator and the message. It combined advice from leaders, facts, personal accounts and mantras/quotes to see the positive in any situation. Atomic Habits is one of my favorite "self help" books and this ranks right up there with it. When the physical/kindle version is released I plan to purchase as well so that I can use the book as a motivational reference.

This review has already been posted to Goodreads.

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