Rethinking Success

The founder and CEO of Path North, Georgetown University professor, and former White House advisor teaches you how to find meaning, balance, and purpose throughout your career while reaching the highest levels of professional achievement—how to do well without losing yourself.

Throughout his illustrious career, J. Douglas Holladay has taught generations of executives as well as students in his popular MBA course at Georgetown how to use a holistic approach to defining and reaching success in life and business.
Success does not come with an instruction manual. Too often “successful” people end up feeling empty, isolated, and depressed because they have lost focus on what is most important in their lives. Rethinking Success can help anyone, no matter their field, maintain the practices and values that keep them in tune with their most cherished beliefs throughout their careers. Drawn from the insights of his network of famous friends as well as his experiences as an investment banker, White House advisor, diplomat, longtime business professor, and non-profit consultant, the advice in Rethinking Success is centered around eight essential questions we must ask ourselves regularly to stay focused, connected, and joyful throughout our working lives.
Filled with essential wisdom, Rethinking Success is a powerful guide that allows us to do well while staying in tune with the values and beliefs that are most important to us.

Reviews

“This book offers a real path to a life with greater meaning--a must read!” — Steve Case, cofounder of AOL“Practical, simple, and compelling encouragement for addressing life’s most important questions.” — Steve Reinemund, former Chair and CEO, PepsiCo“Most of us struggle with feeling overwhelmed and anxious about our jobs, our futures, and our country.  Happily, Doug Holladay has captured the wisdom of sages and saints and his own powerful journey to guide us on our paths toward lasting ‘success.’ His book has arrived not a minute too soon.” — Tim Shriver, chair, Special Olympics"A must-read for anyone who is pondering, ‘What can I do that’s going to be significant?’  Finding meaning takes time and reflection, and Holladay lays out the steps to help everyone define that meaning for themselves." — Deanna Mulligan, Chairperson and CEO of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America“Good books provide clear answers to hard questions. Great books help us understand why we ask those questions. Doug Holladay has written a great book that artfully blends anecdotes, scholarly insight, rich experience and moral authority. His findings will liberate and inspire readers. If you’re stuck, read this book.” — Dr. Robert Franklin, president emeritus, Morehouse College“Essential reading for pivoting to a life with purpose—and not just in your professional journey. Reminding us not to be a bystander in our own story, Holladay unveils the real impact meaningful relationships and useful life practices can be, both for us and for our society.” — Sheryl Palmer, chairman and CEO, Taylor Morrison“Doug Holladay has spent a lifetime helping leaders, like myself. This engaging book captures the essence of his unique insights and is loaded with remarkable stories that will challenge and encourage you. By applying his eight practices, your life will be richer and more meaningful.” — William Weldon, former chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson “The brilliance of this vital book lies in its aim: the sorrows of the modern soul. Amid the riches and diversions of life, why do even the most successful among us lose our way? Doug Holladay gives us the essentials for an authentic, meaningful life.”   — Shelby Coffey III, former editor, The Los Angeles Times“In a time when we long for bold ideas and sound guidance to confront the challenges we face, both inside and out, Doug Holladay’s engaging book lays out the practical steps, grounded in rich stories and solid research, needed to live inspired lives of purpose and meaning.”   — Jean Case, chairman, National Geographic Society“Rethinking Success will have you looking in the mirror and asking some tough questions—not just about your own life, but how you are affecting those closest to you! Doug Holladay does a masterful job of translating the lofty ambition of ‘finding meaning’ into actionable steps.” — Glenn Youngkin, co-CEO, The Carlyle Group“Success and achievement without meaning can leave us hollow and empty. There are far too many leaders on the wrong path. Doug Holladay inspires us to live a different story, one full of purpose and significance. He reminds us that the journey is as important as the final destination.” — Dale Jones, CEO, Diversified Search“Does success in our professional lives lead to happiness? Are meaning and purpose even attainable? Are our last moments when we find out the ‘why’? Doug Holladay’s brilliant book provides insight to such questions for those ready for its challenging message. It’s an incredible book.”   — Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus, Young & Rubicam“Doug Holladay has committed his life’s work to helping people think about meaning and purpose—both in their personal and professional lives—and in the process, inspired us to create positive impact in the world.” — Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, president, The Rockefeller Foundation“As community participation becomes rare and loneliness the norm, Doug Holladay comes along with a timely challenge to pursue meaning and significance. Drawing upon his unique experiences, he artfully offers practical tools to help us find that important purposeful path. You won’t be sorry you read it.” — Alan Schwartz, executive chairman, Guggenheim Partners“Have you ever asked whose life story you are living? Do you yearn to live with more purpose? Are you living the life you desire? Doug Holladay’s important new book will help you sort through such important questions to discover the life we all yearn to live.” — Michael Depatie, managing partner, KHP Capital Partners“Too often we live to please others rather than to follow our own true calling. I finally decided, with Doug Holladay’s help, to find my own unique, meaning-filled path. It has been more fulfilling than I thought imaginable. This is where this book will take you.” — Philipe Bourguignon, former co-CEO, Davos; former CEO, Euro Disney“Rethinking Success explores why so many who achieve success often find themselves feeling isolated and unhappy. Doug Holladay’s eight essential practices help us define our meaning and purpose and begin to truly thrive. You will want to grab onto these gems of wisdom.” — Ben Dupont, managing partner, Chartline Capital Partners“Does reaching the mountaintop in money, power, and success make us happy and fulfilled? Using the experience he's gathered in academia, government work, and through his deep spirituality, Holladay guides readers on a voyage to self- enlightenment. This book is long on both depth and humanity and a rewarding read.” — Booklist“A valuable tool that can be used by readers from all walks of life, [the book] introduces eight practices—[including] regularly express gratitude, define success and failure for themselves, leave a legacy for others. Most applicable are the questions for contemplation, giving readers an opportunity to assess their lives.” — Library Journal (starred review)