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SPEED REVIEW

2007, August 25, Saturday

Tough Choices (2/2)
Business is about people

While many remember the former Hewlett-Packard CEO as the woman who opted for 7,000 layoffs during the 2001 business downturn, Fiorina positions herself more sympathetically in the book, proclaiming her belief that "in the end, business isn't just about numbers; it's about people." She was not the only one behind terminations at the company. She writes, "One of the great myths of HP was that employees never lost their jobs. The truth was Bill [Hewlett] and Dave [Packard] fired people when they thought it was deserved."

  Leadership Has Nothing to Do With Title

Throughout the book, Fiorina offers her business wisdom and personal advice in a palatable style. While at AT&T, one of the women engineers in Fiorina's team came to her, conflicted over raising a family as well as maintaining a career. Fiorina told her, "You cannot sell your soul  . Don't become someone you don't like because of the pressure. Live your life in a way that makes you happy and proud. If you sell your soul, no one can pay you back." 

in reference to her time spent at Lucent and the leadership roles she experienced, Fiorina claimed, "I have believed all my life that leadership has nothing to do with title or position. Leadership is about the integrity of one's character, the caliber of one's capabilities and the effectiveness of one's collaboration with others. Anyone can lead from anywhere at any time."

On February 9, 2005, Fiorina was fired by the HP board. She writes, "Life isn't always fair, and I was play in the big leagues . Yet I realized I had no regrets ... I had made mistakes, but I had made a difference."

  Why We Like This Book

For those readers who have not followed Fiorina's career-most notably her termination from HP-Tough Choices provides a relatable tale that anyone could enjoy: male or female, business- savvy or not. Using her straightforward style, Fiorina allows readers into her life, showing them her professional achievements over the decades and drawing them into her personal life was a daughter, wife and stepmother.

Vocabulary Focus

palatable (adj) ---acceptable

sell your soul (idiom) ---to be personal to do something unpleasant because of money  or other rewards

caliber (n) ---the degree of quality or excellence of someone or something

play in the big leagues (idiom) ---working and competing in the area of greatest competition and highest achievement