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The Ride of a Lifetime

Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company

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The Ride of a Lifetime

Written by: Robert Iger
Narrated by: Jim Frangione, Robert Iger
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About this listen

Number-one New York Times best seller

A memoir of leadership and success: The executive chairman of Disney, Time’s 2019 businessperson of the year, shares the ideas and values he embraced during his 15 years as CEO while reinventing one of the world’s most beloved companies and inspiring the people who bring the magic to life.

Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR

Robert Iger became CEO of The Walt Disney Company in 2005, during a difficult time. Competition was more intense than ever, and technology was changing faster than at any time in the company’s history. His vision came down to three clear ideas: Recommit to the concept that quality matters, embrace technology instead of fighting it, and think bigger - think global - and turn Disney into a stronger brand in international markets.

Fourteen years later, Disney is the largest, most admired media company in the world, counting Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox among its properties. Its value is nearly five times what it was when Iger took over, and he is recognized as one of the most innovative and successful CEOs of our era.

In The Ride of a Lifetime, Robert Iger shares the lessons he learned while running Disney and leading its 220,000-plus employees, and he explores the principles that are necessary for true leadership, including:

  • Optimism. Even in the face of difficulty, an optimistic leader will find the path toward the best possible outcome and focus on that, rather than give in to pessimism and blaming.
  • Courage. Leaders have to be willing to take risks and place big bets. Fear of failure destroys creativity.
  • Decisiveness. All decisions, no matter how difficult, can be made on a timely basis. Indecisiveness is both wasteful and destructive to morale.
  • Fairness. Treat people decently, with empathy, and be accessible to them.

This audiobook is about the relentless curiosity that has driven Iger for 45 years, since the day he started as the lowliest studio grunt at ABC. It’s also about thoughtfulness and respect, and a decency-over-dollars approach that has become the bedrock of every project and partnership Iger pursues, from a deep friendship with Steve Jobs in his final years to an abiding love of the Star Wars mythology.

"The ideas in this book strike me as universal", Iger writes. "Not just to the aspiring CEOs of the world, but to anyone wanting to feel less fearful, more confidently themselves, as they navigate their professional and even personal lives."

©2019 Robert Iger (P)2019 Random House Audio
Film & TV Management & Leadership Professionals & Academics Business Star Wars Inspiring Thought-Provoking Creative Writing Business Biography Film Business
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What the critics say

“Nurturing creativity is less a skill than an art - especially at a company where the brand alone is synonymous with creativity. That’s a lot to live up to. Bob Iger has not only lived up to ninety-six years of groundbreaking history but has moved the Disney brand far beyond anyone’s expectations, and he has done it with grace and audacity. This book shows you how that’s happened.” (Steven Spielberg)

“People have been waiting years for Bob Iger to share his leadership secrets. Now he has, and they are utterly brilliant. The Ride of a Lifetime is not merely a memoir; it’s a personal, all-access session with the wisest CEO you’ve ever met and a playbook for handling the key challenges of our age: how to drive change, leverage technology, build an enduring culture, and empower people. It’s a rippingly good, revelatory read.” (Daniel Coyle, New York Times best-selling author of The Culture Code)

“I expected a book written by the person who has led Disney for decades to be defined by both gripping storytelling and deep leadership wisdom. Bob Iger delivers, and then some! The Ride of a Lifetime is leadership gold - you won’t forget the stories or the lessons.” (Brené Brown, number one New York Times best-selling author of Dare to Lead)

What listeners say about The Ride of a Lifetime

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A great book.

I truly loved the book. It went to deep details in my opinion. Robert Iger did a great job writing the book. He writes as if you really are there next to him when he is signing those amazing deals for Disney. Not just that, he gives the reader an idea on how he was before Disney as well as the transition from ABC to Disney. It was an easy read. Overall its great.

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engaging and honest

engaging and honest behind the scenes look at a story we saw play out. you know how it ends, but its fun to go on the ride. Also plays on our capitalistic greed - it feels good to see a company do so incredibly well and have so much power.

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An amazing book

The story of Roberts path to becoming CEO of Walt Disney Company is fantastic. The challenges he faced in his career, were concurred due to his attitude, integrity, empathy, communication skills and a lot more qualities that he has and what every CEO should have.

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Great story full of insights and wisdom

Great book and summary of Bob's journey. However, I wouldn't mind Bob delving a bit more on some of the stories shared. Still a great source of knowledge and wisdom

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Great book! Would recommend

Great book into the life Bob Iger and Disney I would suggest this book to everyone.

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Love this book!

Really great walk through of Iger’s career with great business and people tips and info along the way. Loved it!

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Love it

Hearing how Bob worked his way up the corporate ladder and rebuilt an empire was truly inspiring.

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Interesting but could have gone into more depth

Enjoyed this book overall but, at times, a little defensive in presenting why Mr. Iger took specific decisions. Also, while the story of his great leadership of Disney was impressive and compelling, it could have been more so with a little more detail about specific transactions and more examples of how his principles were put into action. Overall though, Mr Iger’s story is really good and speaks to the power of good instincts and a strong moral compass. Seems especially relevant in our current moment in history.

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Great story!

I didn't know much about Mr. Iger's story. I think he could be one of the most influential CEO's of our time. I really enjoyed it!

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Great read!!

Great read every leader should delve into! I wnjoyed this book, very interesting, good lessons, good experience, though standard of every CEO of a cash plenty corporation!

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