Sage advice is hard to come by – you know, the kind of advice that makes you change the way you look at the world and in turn act better in the world. We often look to experienced leaders and educators to point the way. James Ellis, the former Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, served students for over two decades as professor and leader. Before that, he spent two decades in business building experience, money, and wisdom. He shares those insights in this book.
My first reaction as I began to read the book was that we simply don’t need another businessman hemming and hawing about how great of a gift he is to the world! That thought persisted for the first few pages but quickly changed as I began to see Ellis as someone who finds deep character values in many people. Indeed, though his story contains many personal experiences, it mainly contains the experiences of others whom he met along the way. He lets their lives do the true inspiring and teaching. In so doing, his compassionate and empathetic learning styles shine.
He captures the adventures of people large and small, famous and everyday, so that we can learn along our personal journeys. I was happily surprised to find that my own thinking subtly adjusted as Ellis’ storytelling conveyed a new thought. I found myself tearing down old approaches in my head while building newer ones – a great effect from an author. The book’s narratives cover most of the topics of business school training. Those who, like me, will never attend business school due to other interests can gain some of the soulful interactions of such training. But be careful – you might be inspired to seek further business training yourself!
We all know that the world needs better leadership… today and always. Reading this short book will build up readers’ self-confidence so that they can better lead in their own local contexts with their own local endeavors. Thus, the book is widely applicable to all sorts of folks, those currently leading and those sharpening their tools for future days. It’s an easy, engaging read, but don’t let that deceive you from capturing its insights born of seeking wisdom, not bolstering one’s own ego. Ellis leaves a legacy for many to follow: his associates, his students, and now the reading world.
A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy
By James G. Ellis
Copyright (c) 2026
Lyons Press
ISBN13 9781493096084
Page Count: 170
Genre: Autobiography/Memoir
www.amazon.com